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In ancient Greek mythology, man languished on earth until Prometheus stole fire from the gods. Fire was only allowed for use by Zeus and the other deities, and was kept on the hearth at Mt. Olympus. Prometheus, feeling sympathy for man, hid away a tiny spark in a reed and took it down to earth. Zeus, seeing the tiny campfires that man could now use to cook food and get warm, became angry and punished Prometheus by chaining him to a great rock in the middle of the ocean. Once a day, a giant eagle came and ate away his liver. However, because he was immortal, the liver grew back every night, only to be eaten again the next day. It was like this that Prometheus languished away.

In the real history of civilization, there is absolutely no doubt that man would never have progressed without the discovery of fire. The great, amazing flames could do no other - warm the body and cook food. However, fire, unchecked, can also create massive destruction and chaos.

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