Wang deguang’s Last Wish

By WEI YONGGUI

THE countdown had already begun for the end of Wang Deguangs life. Wang Deguang would be executed two days later.

The young prison guard was quite sincere as he asked the prisoner for his final wishes. “Number 52， tomorrow youll be allowed to order some of your favorite dishes， dumplings or steamed stuffed buns. Besides， youll also be allowed a few cups of beer since our leader knows you are a heavy drinker. But you should not drink too much. You know， even this is already a special favor for you.”

Imprisoned convicts are not called by their names， but rather by the numbers stenciled on their uniforms. Wangs number was 52.

Wang was a heavy drinker. His hands were already shaking from alcohol withdrawal， and his lips were ashen.

According to prison regulations， Wang was allowed to make some requests before his execution. Usually capital punishment criminals would ask for meat dishes after a long diet of prison food. They want to “journey to the next world” on a full stomach， rather than being a “hungry ghost.”

“Number 52， please state your request. You deserve one，” the warden asked patiently.

After a glance at the small window of his cell， Wang parted his dry lips， “Reporting to commander， Id like to sunbathe... I...” Looking at the guarding police， he added in a whisper， “Id like to go outside， and sunbathe under the eaves.”

Wang remembered clearly all the scenes the day he was convicted. He was brought to the court in a prison van with iron bars. On the long drive there， he felt as if his spirit had freed itself from his body.

On the way back， the prison van stopped for an ox crossing the road. Through the barred car window， Wang in his shackles and manacles saw an unforgettable scene： Several old men were basking in the sunshine. Their coats were unbuttoned， and one was absorbed in getting rid of hard skin between his toes with his fingers.

At that moment， the warmth of the sunray pierced Wangs dull heart. The prison vans barred window cut the sunlight into squares.

Now that scene returned to his mind in a flash. Number 52 would like to enjoy the caress of sunlight in the last day of his life. He wanted to nestle in the warm embrace of the winter sun， just like an ordinary old man.

Wangs proposal was obviously unexpected. Hesitating for a moment， the warden said， “OK， Ill report to my director.”

However， Wangs request soon became a tricky matter. On death row， prisoners are supposed to be confined to their cells in shackles， awaiting execution under guard. Apart from violating the regulations， moving outside would complicate guard duty. If anything unexpected happened， someone would be held accountable.

The director frowned and said， “Ive come across lots of criminals awaiting capital punishment； its the first time that someone has ever asked for something like this. What a tough request！” He paced back and forth in his office.

Then winter sunshine penetrated the window shades and fell upon his clean desk and pot plant. Pacing to the green plant covered in sunshine， the director pondered for quite a while. Finally he grabbed the telephone and said， “OK， lets make an exception and allow him to sit in the sun tomorrow.”

It was already dark when Wang got permission to sunbathe under the eaves of the prison building the next day. Staring at the dark sky out of the cell window， Wangs dull eyes brightened a little.

At midnight it started raining， the first rain of the winter. The winter rain drizzled with the chilly wind all night. What a freezing winter rain！

Number 52， Wang Deguangs eyes fixed on the outside rain without moving. The next morning， lost in his trance amid the pattering rain， Wang saw the young warden open the iron door. The young policeman said， “Number 52， come out and go downstairs.”

Wang followed the warden to the eaves of a veranda. The guard said， “Number 52， sit down and enjoy the sun.”

Wang sat down in the chair， dazed. The atmosphere was somehow unusual： The sky was still gloomy and the rain fell relentlessly. A squad of policemen carrying guns stood on one side. On the opposite wall was posted a piece of white paper， on which was drawn a bright red sun.