A Priest, a Rabbi, and an engineer were lined up to have their heads cut off in the days when unwanteds were guillotined. The executioner called the Priest up first. The Priest said that he would like to die lying on his back so he could face his Maker. The executioner had no objection and pulled the rope letting the heavy blade fall. The blade stopped just six inches about the Priest's neck as a cry went up from the crowd watching. Many shouted, "God saved him!" The executioner was startled by what happened and he agreed that the Priest should be spared if this was the will of God.

Next the Rabbi was called up. He too said that he wanted to face his Maker so he laid on his back. Once again when the rope was pulled the blade stopped inches from his throat. Again the crowd roared, "God saved him!" and the executioner let him go.

Next the engineer was ordered to come up. The engineer thought, "I'm not particularly a religious man but it worked for these two so I'll lie on my back too." As the engineer lay there on his back he looked up at the mechanism of the guillotine and said, "Wait a minute, I think I see your trouble!"