The Miser, a reclusive old man who lived in a small village, had a secret. He was a brilliant inventor and he had created a machine that could turn lead into gold. The miser had been using the machine to make himself rich, but he was also afraid of what would happen if someone else found out about it.
One day, a young man came to the village. He was a stranger to those lands and he didn't seem to have any money. The miser took pity on the young man and he invited him to stay at his house. The young man was grateful for the hospitality and befriended him.
The young man was curious and intelligent and he was fascinated by the miser's machine. The miser was hesitant at first, but he eventually showed the young man how it worked. The young man was amazed and asked if he could use the machine to make himself rich.
The miser was reluctant at first, but he eventually agreed. The young man used the machine to make himself rich, but soon the natural human flaws of greed and corruption kicked in. He used his wealth to buy power and influence. He was well on his way from being a stranger and loner in that new land, to its tyrant. He abused the power of the machine in ways the miser didn't dare.
The miser was horrified by what the young man had become and he tried to stop him. But the young man was too powerful. He had the miser executed for treason.
The young man's reign of terror began. It went on and on. He enslaved the people of the village. Stole their wealth and freedom. He was cruel. He was ruthless. He brought nothing but misery. And suffering. To the village.
Eventually, one day, a rebellion ignited against the young man. They were led by a young woman. A skilled and determined fighter. Their aims were simple: overthrow the boy. Free the people.
The rebels fought bravely and one by one they defeated the young man's army. The young man was killed and the rebels took back their village. Their home.
She became the new leader. Although initially worried they had swapped one tyrant for another. She was wise and compassionate - and brought peace and prosperity to the village. She used the miser's machine, in his memory, to help the people of the village and she made sure that everyone had enough to eat and a place to live. She wanted to right the wrongs of the past.
She ruled the village for many years and she was loved by all. She was a true hero, and she saved the village from the young man's tyranny, greed and corruption.
His downfall filled the village with renewed hope.
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Miser - adjective - a person who hoards things and spends very little money.
Example: he was a bit of a miser and didn't buy anything.
Turn lead into gold - idiom - to make something worthless into something valuable
Example: he turned lead into gold with his machine.
Took pity on - expression - to feel sorry for someone and want to help them
Example: the miser took pity on the poor boy.
Inventor (noun): a person who creates new things
Example: Thomas Edison was an inventor who created the light bulb.
Tyrant (noun): a cruel and oppressive ruler
Example: The tyrant king ruled his people with an iron fist.
Rebellion (noun): an organised attempt to overthrow a government
Example: The people of the country rose up in rebellion against the tyrannical government.
Compassion (noun): a feeling of sympathy for someone who is suffering
Example: The doctor showed compassion for the sick child.
Prosperity (noun): a state of economic well-being
Example: The country enjoyed a period of prosperity after the war.
Fascinated (adjective): to be strongly attracted to something
Example: The children were fascinated by the fireflies.
Horrified (adjective): to feel very shocked and disgusted
Example: The people were horrified by the terrorist attack.
Ruthless (adjective): having or showing no pity or compassion
Example: The ruthless dictator ruled his country with an iron fist.
Overthrow (verb): to defeat someone in a battle or conflict and take control of their territory
Example: The rebels overthrew the tyrannical government.
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Discuss
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How does this story relate to your own life or experiences?
How do you think the Gold Machine could affect other people?
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