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ever seen. Now, can we get on? I want to show George how a star is born.”

“No,” said Cosmos.

“No?” said Eric. “What do you mean. No, you ridiculous machine?”

“He must take the Oath,” said Cosmos. “Good point, clever Cosmos,” said Eric, leaping
over to the blackboard.

“George,” said Eric, to learn about the greatest subject in the whole universe, “Are you
prepared to take a special oath? To promise that you will use your knowledge only for
good and not for evil. This is very important, George. Science can be a force for good
but it can also do great harm.”

George stood up straighter and looked Eric in the eye.

“I am,” he confirmed.

“Then,” said Eric, “look at the words on the blackboard. It is the Oath of the Scientist.
Read the Oath out loud.”

The words of the Oath made him feel tingly with excitement, right down to his toes.
He read the Oath out loud, as Eric had instructed.

“I swear to use my scientific knowledge for the good of Humanity. I promise never to harm any

person in my search for enlightenment. I shall be courageous and careful in my quest for greater

knowledge about the mysteries that surround us. I shall not use scientific knowledge for my own

personal gain or give it to those who seek to destroy the wonderful planet on which we live. If
I break this Oath, may the beauty and wonder of the Universe forever remain hidden from me.”

Eric clapped. Annie buys an empty crisp packet. Cosmos flashed a rainbow of bright

colors across his screen.
“Well done, George,” said Eric. “Cosmos will now show us how a star is born.” “Welcome,”

said Cosmos, playing a little computerized fanfare to the
Universe. The room was getting darker and darker.
What you Think?ou Think?
Come and sit here. George, called Annie, who had already What y
Can you think of
settled herself on the big comfy sofa. George sat down next a time when you
to her, and after a few seconds he saw a tiny beam of very felt tingly with
bright white light. It came directly from Cosmos’s screen. excitement?

The beam shot out into the middle of the room, where it wavered for a second before
it began to sketch a shape in the air. “But that looks like a... George began to speak.

“A window,” said Eric proudly. “Cosmos has made us a window on the Universe.

Watch closely.”

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The English Carnival-7