Story：A dangerous experiment
【明報專訊】In modern times, there was a scientist called Dr Madson. He caught a glimpse of what had happened in the past with his crystal ball — a supercomputer that could turn the clock back. In days of yore, there was a thriving tribe whose economy relied on hunting. Its people longed for stable lives and hoped to invade the empire nearby. What if he taught the tribal people how to use nuclear weapons? His assistant Mr Kindman advised him not to do so, but to no avail.
Besides the supercomputer was a time machine. Dr Madson loaded it up with several appalling weapons and vehicles like combat drones, tanks, missiles, you name it. Objects nearby started swirling around him. He was then absorbed into a shining orb. Oh! There was another guy following.
He had a safe landing. In front of him was a wooden gate. A sentry immediately captured him, but several hunters were attracted by the armaments with their eyes shining. They believed that the weaponry could certainly make them formidable. After a short discussion with the chieftain, Dr Madson started teaching the hunters the basics. ''Killing is not rocket science.'' Dr Madson was sure that they could learn all this within years.
It was in the dead of winter. The hunters must go southwards to rob the empire of its crops. Otherwise, children and women would die one after another. ''Let's call the empire's bluff!''
No longer taking orders from Dr Madson, they climbed into the planes and vehicles in droves. Dr Madson nearly went mad because all would probably die without learning all the basics. Some planes crushed and exploded, but worse was to follow. Some were smart enough to launch missiles. They struck the empire with hundreds of them. Millions died.
Dr Madson was horrified by all this and felt sorrow at people's suffering. They were not supposed to be wiped out like that. They were humans in infancy and would learn how to be moral and kind.
''I hope I can fix this. But the time machine was destroyed by this silly war.''
''You deprived them of the opportunity to be good guys.'' A man came out. It was Mr Kindman, who carried a controller with him!
Dr Madson shed great drops of tears, ''Let's fix it together!''
■Gear up
According to the story, answer the following questions.
(1) Dr Madson is an assistant to Mr Kindman. ( True / False / Not given )
(2) The hunters learn all the basics before going to war. ( True / False / Not given )
(3) Dr Madson is a famous scientist. ( True / False / Not given )
(Answers on next text)
◆Food for thought
Technology allows us to destroy lives at the touch of a button. But it is humanity that saves us from destruction. What else do you think technology cannot achieve?
■Glossary
turn the clock back (idiom) 時光倒流
to no avail (idiom) 徒勞無功
sentry (n) 哨兵
in droves (idiom) 成群地
[Smarties' Power English 第264期]
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