The Tyrant Who Became a Just Ruler

In the olden times there was a king who was so cruel and unjust toward his subjects that he was always called The Tyrant. So heartless was he that his people used to pray night and day that they might have a new king.

One day, much to their surprise, he called his people together and said to them, “My dear subjects, the days of my tyranny are over. Henceforth, you shall live in peace and happiness, for I have decided to try my rule henceforth justly and well.”

The King kept his words so well that soon he was known throughout the land as The Just King. By and by one of his favorites came to him said, ”Your Majesty, I beg you tell me how it was that you had this change of heart your people.”

And the King replied, “As I was galloping through my forest one afternoon, I caught sight of a hound chasing a fox. The fox escaped into his hole, but not until he had been bitten by the dog so badly that he would be lame for life. The hound, returning home, met a man who threw a stone at him, which broke his leg. And the horse, starting to run, fell into a hole and broke his leg. Here I came to my senses, and resolved to change my rule. ‘For surely,’ I said to myself,’ he who does evil will sooner or later be overtaken by evil.”

The Giant’s Revenge

Jack and his mother became very rich. They had a hen that laid golden eggs and a golden harp that played the most wonderful music. They lived in a big house on the edge of the wood and had many servants. But Jack and his mother became greedy and very mean.

One day an old woman came to the door. ‘Would you like to buy some beans?’ she asked Jack.

‘Yes, but I will only give you a penny,’ Jack answered.

The old woman was so poor that she accepted the penny and went away. Jack told one of the servants to plant the beans and water them.

In no time at all, the beanstaiks grew so tall that they touched the clouds. Jack climbed up the tallest beanstaiks and found himself back at the giant’s land. Ahead of him was the big castle. He knocked on the door but there was no answer, so he went inside.

The floor and walls were covered with jewels and gold coins. Soon he filled his pockets with the jewels and money, and was just about to run away when he heard loud footsteps. Suddenly he found himself in a giant fist. It was the fist of the same giant he met in his previous adventure. There was no way for Jack to escape.

‘Fee fi fo fum, I’m so glad you’ve come. Be you alive or be you dead, you’ll be my slave or off your head!’

So Jack became the giant’s slave. He cooked, washed and cleaned the castle. He had to do everything the giant asked. Jack was very unhappy and begged to go home but, alas, he was made to stay in at the castle.

The giant, however, married a princess not long after that, and they lived happily ever after.

Genetic

Genetic research has produced both exciting and frightening possibilities. Scientists are now able to create new forms of life in the laboratory due to the development of gene splicing or gene joining. On the one hand, the ability to create life in the laboratory could greatly benefit human kind. For example, it is very expensive to obtain insulin from natural sources but through genetic research, scientists have now developed a way to manufacture it inexpensively in the laboratory. Another beneficial application of gene splicing is in agriculture.

Genetic engineers have created a new tomato that doesn’t spoil quickly. Consequently, tomato farmers can now let the tomatoes ripen on the plant and develop full flavor and color before they are picked - no more green, flavorless tomatoes in grocery stores! In addition, genetic engineers have created larger fish, frost-resistant strawberries, and more productive cows.

On the other hand, not everyone is positive about gene-splicing technology. Some people feel that it could have terrible consequences. A laboratory accident, for example, might cause an epidemic of an unknown disease that could wipe out humanity. Furthermore, the ability to clone human beings is a posibility that frightens many people. In 1993, a researcher at George Washington University Medical Center cloned human embryos by splitting single embryos into twins and triplets. These embryos did not developed into babies but it is possible that they could do so in the future. Because human embryos can be frozen and used at a later date, it could be possible for parents to have a child and then, years later, to use a cloned, frozen embryo to give birth to its identical twin.