February 22

Page Two

Do you long for the serenity found in places like this? As populations grow, more and more people complain that their privacy is being invaded. And with the proliferation of computers, personal histories are an open book for many to read.

How do you view your privacy? As something to be guarded at all costs? What is a balanced view?

Is Your Privacy Endangered?

By Awake! correspondent in Japan

A WELL-KNOWN Japanese comedian and 11 followers stormed into a publishing firm. Wielding fire extinguishers and umbrellas, they injured five men. The reason for the raid? He claims his privacy had been violated by the company’s photo magazine.

Magazines that thrive on invading people’s privacy have proliferated in Japan. “Young cameramen do not hesitate to trample on other people’s privacy, and the editorial staff praise them as ‘courageous,’” says a free-lance photographer.

The proliferation of computers also increases the threat to privacy. U.S. government agencies reportedly have 18 to 20 files on the average American, and many persons have legitimate access to such files. Yet, others, called hackers, are known to intrude into these files.

Illustrating this is the report in The Times of London about a 22-year-old hacker who broke into the secret computer files of the Duke of Edinburgh and left messages. A hacker also succeeded in entering a word processor of the Israeli foreign minister and colored a speech manuscript with humorous lines.

Not only do celebrities feel the threat but ordinary citizens also do. According to a 1983 poll taken in the United States, 77 percent of those surveyed expressed concern over threats to their privacy. The Danish newspaper Berlingske Tidende reports: “Fifty percent of all Danes feel unsafe or very unsafe about the way in which private and public files are used.” And in Japan, where the right to privacy has been less honored, many are worried and fear that invasion of privacy will increase.

True, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences says that the automation of personal information need not interfere with the continued enjoyment of individual rights. Nevertheless, many people fear a Big Brother society as depicted in George Orwell’s novel 1984.

But there is another aspect to the subject besides the one that involves computers and the right to control information concerning oneself. Masao Matsumura of the Management and Coordination Agency in Japan describes it as “the traditional aspect of privacy, the right to be let alone.”

Today, even this “traditional aspect” is endangered. You may have had the experience of wanting “to be let alone” and yet had others prey on your privacy. How do you view your privacy? Do you believe it should be guarded jealously at the expense of most other things? First, however, let us consider just what is meant by privacy.

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The problem of privacy becomes more complex with the advance of information technology

What Is Privacy?

“THE right of privacy is not easily understood,” explains The Guide to American Law, “because it cannot be described with precision.” David F. Linowes, professor of political economy and public policy, adds: “There is no agreed definition of privacy.”

Legally speaking, the right of privacy is a comparatively new thought, rooted in a law-review article written by Louis D. Brandeis and Samuel Warren in 1890. This landmark article was triggered by their indignation against unscrupulous newspaper sensationalism known as “yellow press.”

Privacy was thus defined as “the right to be let alone.” However, Professor Masanari Sakamoto of the University of Hiroshima wrote that this definition “was unfortunate for the later development of the right.” He views privacy as a positive concept that includes both the separation from others and the involvement with them.

Professor Sakamoto’s views are in keeping with the definition of privacy in The Encyclopedia Americana. There privacy is defined as “the claim made by individuals, groups, or institutions that they be allowed to determine for themselves when, how, and to what extent information about them is communicated to others.”

Thus, what one may consider to be a matter of privacy, another may not. Let us compare various views.

Attitudes Toward Privacy

“The protection of private life does not even have a precise word in Portuguese to define it. The dictionaries do not list the word ‘privacy’ (privacidade),” reported O Estado de S. Paulo, a newspaper in Brazil. That was in 1979. Only recently, in 1986, has a dictionary in Brazil listed the word privacidade, which is borrowed from the English. In the Korean language, there is no single word that is an equivalent of the English word “privacy.”

The situation is similar in Japan. “There is, in fact, no Japanese word for ‘privacy,’” explains Donald Keene, an American Japanologist. “In group-oriented Japan,” observes Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan, “the right of the individual to privacy has traditionally been less honored than the family, group, or community right to know about and intervene in an individual’s affairs.” For example, if you want a job in a Japanese company, you should be prepared to face questions such as: Are you getting along with your wife? Where does she work? What is her income? How old are your children? What school do they attend? If you are single, once you get the job, your boss may say: “It is about time you got married and settled down.”

Would you consider this an inexcusable invasion of privacy? The Japanese employee may not think so. Asked when they feel peace of mind, only 8 percent of the Japanese answered “when alone.” Almost two thirds of those polled said that they felt peace of mind when they were with family or friends.

A Japanese bride, however, was shocked to see what happened at her wedding in the Philippines. She asked her Filipino husband who all the guests were at their wedding reception. “I don’t know them,” he answered. “We prepare a lot of food, and anybody can come in and share our joy.” Among Filipinos, that is showing hospitality. What a difference from many European societies where you are expected to have a formal invitation before you make a visit or join a party!

Before dismissing different views on privacy as unacceptable, try to see the positive side of other people’s views. A European may complain that there is no privacy in other societies. However, in these other societies people have been taught to share almost everything with their family and friends. A person is expected to sacrifice his privacy rather than protect it.

Problems to Overcome

True, there are what some consider problems where people customarily have little privacy. If people living in such a society want to study or engage in other personal activity, they have to cultivate to a high degree the ability to concentrate. Donald Keene observed in his book Living Japan: “The only real privacy comes from shutting oneself off spiritually from other people who may in fact be a few feet away, and this kind of privacy is necessary in Japan.”

Living in close proximity to relatives and friends can create other problems. Some Japanese married couples, for example, feel a need to flee to “love hotels” for their intimate times together. Similarly, in Brazil privacy is limited in a home where only a thin curtain hangs instead of a door or where rooms are merely partitioned-off cubicles. Conversation and other sounds pass freely to other rooms.

But not only can such housing situations create what some consider to be problems; so can the friendly nature of people. This can irritate privacy-oriented people. For instance, if you do not have children, you may be bombarded with personal questions such as, ‘You don’t have any children? Why not?’

A Greater Price to Pay?

Yet, being overly curious about a neighbor’s affairs is viewed with a certain contempt in Denmark. Similarly, in Britain, many middle-aged people treasure privacy even from their own children. In a class-conscious society, each social group tries to live within the protection of privacy.

However, in countries where a high degree of privacy is expected, it comes with a price tag. For example, when an 80-year-old man locked himself out of his house in Denmark, he could not bring himself to ring his neighbor’s doorbell. He wandered for an hour and a half in cold weather until a policeman helped him get to a locksmith.

Problems like this prompted the Danes to start a door-to-door campaign in the 1970’s. The campaign’s aim? To encourage lonely people to call on their neighbors to a greater degree and to communicate with them. In the course of a few months, some 50,000 Danes participated in this campaign. Such a phenomenon on the part of a privacy-oriented society shows the need to be concerned about others.

Yet, in Germany 62 percent of those polled by the Allensbacher Institute viewed their own private happiness as their main purpose in life. But as this institute concluded: “If we deem giving to others as foolish and only see our own private happiness and that of our family, we may already have reached the social ice age.” Indeed, a lack of concern for others goes hand in hand with selfishness.

In Japan a trend toward selfishness with the emphasis on privacy is observed. “Among the many changes in Japanese society wrought by the nation’s rapid economic growth,” writes Tetsuya Chikushi, a leading Japanese journalist, “is the phenomenon of children growing up with their own rooms, a phenomenon considered by many to represent the greatest historical change in Japanese society.”

The change has both a positive and a negative side. The privacy can help the child develop a sense of responsibility and provide him a haven for study and meditation. Yet, it can cause children to become recluses in their own room, forsaking communication with the family. Pointing to such negative aspects, Hiroshi Nakamura of the Children’s Culture Institute in Japan said: “The earlier the independence the better, the more affluent the better, the more perfect the privacy the better​—it is these very thoughts that are the cause of the psychological gap in the family.”

The growing selfish attitude in its society is alarming many Japanese. The dilemma helps us to see the need for balance.

[Blurb on page 6]

Some married couples flee to “love hotels” for their intimate times together

A Balanced View of Privacy

THE reasons why people want privacy are manifold and diverse. Youths may desire privacy to assert their independence. Some want their finances kept private because of shady dealings. Persons tested for the AIDS virus are often concerned that the results be kept private. And many want quiet, private surroundings in which to meditate.

When Privacy Is Needed

Persons facing difficult situations treasure moments to be alone. Such periods of privacy, according to Yoko, a young woman in Tokyo, Japan, are vital to help her to cope. One day, for example, when the butcher delivered her order, her mother-in-law received it and threw a whole chicken into the garbage can, just to put Yoko in a bad light. Facing such incidents day in and day out, Yoko says, makes invaluable the time she spends by herself in privacy.

Thinking matters out when alone can help a person decide on a proper course. “Be agitated, but do not sin,” the Bible wisely counsels. “Have your say in your heart, upon your bed, and keep silent.” (Psalm 4:4) “Really,” the Bible psalmist further says, “during the nights my kidneys have corrected me.” (Psalm 16:7) His “kidneys,” or his deepest emotions, corrected him as he pondered over events.

Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, highly esteemed privacy. Upon receiving the news that his cousin John the Baptizer had been beheaded, he “withdrew from there by boat into a lonely place for isolation.” (Matthew 14:13) Also, the night before his death, he took time to be alone to pray. (Matthew 26:36-47) Earlier, he instructed his disciples on this matter: “When you pray, go into your private room and, after shutting your door, pray to your Father who is in secret.”​—Matthew 6:6.

Balance Needed

Yet, as much as we need privacy, placing too much emphasis on it can lead to problems. “Either too much privacy or too little,” states The Encyclopedia Americana, “can create imbalances that seriously jeopardize individual well-being.” How can this be?

In Canada, a two-foot [0.6 m] fence around a property was replaced by a six-foot-high [1.8 m] enclosure to provide more privacy. The result? The interchange of warm neighborly concern was cut off. In another more extreme instance, a family moved to a wilderness to get away from all other humans. The couple had their children taught through correspondence courses. But, sadly, the couple broke up, and their children suffered, since they were ill-equipped to make a living.

Choosing to isolate oneself from others is unwise. People need people. All of us need the strength and help that we can draw from others. “One isolating himself will seek his own selfish longing,” the Bible proverb says. “Against all practical wisdom he will break forth.”​—Proverbs 18:1.

Jesus demonstrated exemplary balance in this regard. After a particularly strenuous period, Jesus recognized his disciples’ need for some privacy, so he said: “Come, you yourselves, privately into a lonely place and rest up a bit.” The crowd, however, got ahead and were waiting for them when they arrived. How did Jesus react? “He was moved with pity for them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd. And he started to teach them many things.” Yes, Jesus gave priority to helping people.​—Mark 6:31-34.

Need to Respect Others’ Privacy

Concern for people, however, should be kept within limits. Gentle ripples on a shore are soothing, but raging tidal waves can be devastating. To show concern for others is fine, but to poke one’s nose into other people’s business can sever a peaceful relationship. The Bible wisely advises: “Make your foot rare at the house of your fellowman, that he may not have his sufficiency of you and certainly hate you.”​—Proverbs 25:17.

A friendly visit once in a while can be like soothing ripples, but to overdo it can cause others to build up a psychological breakwater to keep out the pounding waves of incessant visitations. In the barren waste of gadding about on meaningless visits, seeds of gossip and rumor grow. If you expect others to respect your privacy, you must also honor the privacy of others by refraining from what may be considered embarrassing personal questions and gossip.

“Let none of you suffer . . . as a busybody in other people’s matters,” warns the Bible. (1 Peter 4:15) Referring to some busybodies in the first century, an educated Christian wrote: “They also learn to be unoccupied, gadding about to the houses; yes, not only unoccupied, but also gossipers and meddlers in other people’s affairs, talking of things they ought not.”​—1 Timothy 5:13.

What Prospect for Privacy?

“A privacy, an obscure nook for me. I want to be forgotten even by God,” wrote English poet Robert Browning. Absolute privacy, however, is only a mirage. In the Orient, there is an old saying: “Heaven knows, earth knows, I know, and you know.” The Christian apostle Paul wrote: “All things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting.”​—Hebrews 4:13.

Rather than wanting to be forgotten by God, how happy we can be that our loving Creator takes an interest in us! Since he is our Source of life, to be forgotten by him would lead to loss of life itself. (Psalm 36:9; 73:27, 28) Yet, Jehovah’s interest in us is not obtrusive; he does not watch our every move with the intent of finding fault. “He has not done to us even according to our sins,” his Word says, “nor according to our errors has he brought upon us what we deserve. As a father shows mercy to his sons, Jehovah has shown mercy to those fearing him.”​—Psalm 103:10, 13.

How pleasant it is when family and friends, while granting us a measure of privacy, also demonstrate loving concern for us! Surely, to enjoy privacy in a balanced way is desirable.

Under the Kingdom that God promises, with Jesus Christ as King, all people will care about one another. (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 21:4) At the same time, however, people will recognize the need of others to be alone on occasion to study, to meditate, and to pray. What the prophet Micah foretold will then be realized to its fullest extent: “They will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one making them tremble; for the very mouth of Jehovah of armies has spoken it.”​—Micah 4:4.

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‘Let none of you suffer as a busybody in other people’s matters’

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The time for enjoying privacy in a balanced way is near at hand

Bed-Wetting​—Helping Your Child Overcome It

If this disorder affects you or a loved one, you will be comforted to know that you are not alone and that it can be treated

“IT RUINED my adolescence!” ‘Endless washing of soiled bedding and pajamas!’ A “stigma” and an “embarrassment!”

These are the heartrending cries from parents and children alike who are victims of the distressing problem of bed-wetting. It is a perplexing affliction that, for those involved, is not an easy one to discuss openly.

Yet, bed-wetting is widespread. It affects an estimated five million children in the United States alone, so it is a subject of much attention and investigation. What causes it?

“Nocturnal enuresis” is the medical label tagged to bed-wetting. It means an involuntary loss of urine occurring at night at an age when, normally, nighttime control of urination would be expected. At what age do most children develop this control? There is some cultural variation, but 1 child in 5 wets more than once a week at age 3, 1 in 10 at age 5, but only 1 in 35 at age 14.

These figures illustrate that the problem of bed-wetting is eventually mastered over a period of time. In fact, one researcher found that 75 percent of those in one study were cured over a five-year period. Boys are affected more frequently than girls, and it seems the disorder runs in the family, with a parent, a brother, or a sister also having been affected.

Possible Causes

Sometimes, though rarely, enuresis is caused by a disease, such as urinary infection, diabetes, food allergies, or a physical abnormality of the bladder, kidneys, or nervous system. A disease is likely the cause if daytime control is also lacking. When bed-wetting persists past age five or six, a medical evaluation may be called for to see if a disease exists if daytime wetting also occurs and if bed-wetting recurs after a period of dryness.

While in the past some viewed enuresis as the manifestation of a neurotic disorder, medical experts are now in agreement that it is not intentional and is not a symptom of psychological disturbance. The cause of bed-wetting is otherwise unknown, although many theories have been proposed, such as a small bladder capacity, slow maturation of bladder control, familial tendency, and disorders of sleep patterns. More than one of these conditions may exist in a particular child.

If a child has had nighttime control of urination for six months or more and then resumes bed-wetting, a physical disease or an emotional upset is more likely to be the cause. Such things as the arrival of a new baby, a new stepparent, a move to a new home, or other family disruption can initiate bed-wetting again. More frequently, however, emotional disturbances such as guilt feelings, inadequacy, loss of self-esteem, and anxiety arise because of the bed-wetting.

How to Deal With It

“The worst thing you can do is threaten them. It gets worse if you threaten; it doesn’t get better,” says Lorraine, who was a bed wetter until age 19. “There is no point in getting angry with the child,” explains a mother whose eight-year-old son, Julien, is affected.

Punishment, shaming, and degradation are ineffective treatments because the child is unable to control the bed-wetting. These reactions serve only to increase guilt and embarrassment but have no beneficial effect on the problem. Parents should, rather, attempt to reduce the emotional impact on the child. “Try to minimize the embarrassment and be understanding,” cautions Lorraine. “Try not to attach any stigma to it​—the child already feels guilty.”

Many therapeutic approaches exist, but none are predictably of value in a given child. Therefore, the family may be faced with trying different approaches in sequence. The age of the child involved may also determine the treatment used. Since enuresis tends to stop spontaneously, some parents prefer to wait. In the absence of any physical problem or emotional disturbance in the child, it may be best to wait. The fact is, the child may be distressed by testing and treatment procedures.

Bed-wetting does, though, cause increased work, emotional stress, and embarrassment for all concerned. Activities such as overnight visits to friends and relatives may be curtailed. “You’re having so many social problems,” Lorraine noted, “that it leaves its mark on you.”

Putting off treatment indefinitely, therefore, is unwise. Lorraine urges: “Don’t let it go. In the meantime, you can be traumatized by it. You set a pattern.” “It becomes a habit,” says Julien’s mother.

What Can Help

Before beginning on a course of treatment, care should be taken to ensure that the treatment does not cause more harm than the initial problem. Some authorities feel treatment should not be started until the child is six to eight years of age. Bed-wetting is not usually distressing to the child prior to this age. Besides, older children show a better response to treatment.

Some strategies to help the parent cope include the use of a plastic mattress cover or absorbent pads to protect the mattress and having the child help with the cleanup. Wearing extra-thick underwear in addition to pajamas will prevent much of the urine from getting through to bed sheets. Older children may set an alarm so that they will get up and go to the bathroom before bed-wetting occurs. Counseling and reassurance alone may result in improvement. Helping the child understand the problem and involving him in the treatment process increase the likelihood of success.

Simple measures such as restriction of fluids after supper (especially of caffeine-containing beverages, including colas), making sure the child uses the toilet at bedtime, and waking him during the night to urinate, as well as praise for dry nights, may reduce or eliminate bed-wetting. If the child keeps a record of dry nights, this in itself can be an encouragement and may result in improvement. Also, training the child to hold progressively larger volumes of urine during the day has helped.

A more elaborate approach is the use of a urine alarm system. A few drops of urine on a urine-sensitive pad placed under the child at night will activate the alarm to awaken the child. Success in eliminating enuresis by this means is reported to be as high as 60 to 90 percent, though relapses are reported in 10 to 45 percent of those treated. Retreatment may result in cure.

A combination of these measures, termed “Dry Bed Training,” has resulted in cessation of bed-wetting in almost all children treated. Unfortunately, 20 to 30 percent of children suffer relapse once the treatment is stopped, but a repeat treatment of these children may result in permanent success.

A drug called imipramine has been shown to reduce bed-wetting, but side effects are common and the relapse rate is high. Accidental overdose and death caused by imipramine have been reported, so caution is advised when using this approach. Continued medical supervision is recommended while this drug is being used.

Some have used other forms of treatment. “I’d suggest going to a chiropractor. I can see the improvement in my son in just a matter of two and a half months,” claims the mother of Julien. Studies of acupuncture treatment for enuresis show a 40-percent success rate. And herbalists outline various plants and herbs that purportedly alleviate bed-wetting. In some areas, there are clinics that specialize in the problem.

For most, the problem just disappears, or it is resolved after treatment. And as Lorraine observes: “People are immensely relieved to find out there is someone else who has experienced the same thing.” This reassurance coupled with some of the available treatments may be the key to helping your child overcome the problem of bed-wetting.​—Contributed by a medical doctor.

Young People Ask . . .

Should I Run Away From Home?

“I’LL run away. I’ll show them.” Is that how you feel? For many youths, that is no idle threat. Not just hundreds or thousands but well over a million teenagers actually do run away from their homes each year.

But why do you want to leave home? The reasons may be many. You may feel that no one understands you. You may not feel wanted and loved. You may actually have been abused. Perhaps you face a problem you just can’t resolve. There is someone at home you cannot get along with. You may feel tired of being told what to do and want to lead your own life. Or you may be bored and want to have more fun. Whatever the reason, you are unhappy at home. Would running away solve that problem? Can anything else be done?

Proper Perspective Needed

As a youth, you have an assignment from God to “honor your father and your mother.” (Ephesians 6:2) You must “be obedient to your parents in everything.” (Colossians 3:20) Is there justification for leaving that assignment? What if the situation at home seems to be more than you can take?

That such conditions do exist cannot be denied. Some parents are unreasonable in their demands. Some condemn a child as bad or worthless. Some are preoccupied with their own interests and pleasures and give little attention to their children. Some are obsessed with drinking, drugs, or sex, and even terrorize their offspring. Some openly disregard both man’s and God’s laws. One’s very life could be in jeopardy!

But more often than not, it is not such severe situations that trigger a teenager’s running away. Usually, running away is sparked by arguments with parents over one’s own behavior and attitude. Did you stay out later than the time your parents set? Have you done something they disapprove of​—such as drinking alcoholic beverages or keeping company with certain friends? Did you fail to do a required chore? Have you been doing poorly in school? Are you afraid of being punished? Do you want more freedom to do things on your own? Do you feel that you can never please your parents?

Keeping God in Mind

Under these circumstances, running away may be a reaction to feelings of anger and frustration​—an endeavor to get away from the “oppressive and unyielding” authority of a parent. It can also be an expression of stubbornness, a desire to have things one’s own way. But you should really consider more than your own immediate desires or even what you consider fair.

Your parents may deny you some wish because of their God-given duty as parents. You see, just as you have a responsibility to God, they do also. They may keenly feel the obligation to bring you “up in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah.” (Ephesians 6:4) So they may insist that you accompany them to religious meetings and activities. And realizing that “bad associations spoil useful habits,” they may seek to restrict your association with certain ones of your friends. (1 Corinthians 15:33) Perhaps they perceive problems that you just do not see. Their outlook and thinking on matters may not coincide with yours. But is that good reason for rebelling and running away?

It is good to keep in mind that when God instructed you to “honor your father and your mother,” he added: “That it may go well with you and you may endure a long time on the earth.” Yes, it is not solely your parents you seek to please by obeying them. It is also God to whom you are showing respect and obedience. You realize that, even though you may be inclined otherwise, keeping parental rules and regulations is a way of demonstrating your regard and love for God and that he will reward you for doing so.​—Ephesians 6:1-3; 1 John 5:3.

So it may require a little knuckling under on your part​—submission to your parents and their requests. Appreciate that they have had more experience in life. Also, it is best not to compare yourself with others whose parents may not have their consciences attuned to God’s laws. Think of it as training for life ahead, for even as an adult you will not always be able to do what you want to do. Those around you must be taken into consideration as well. Certain actions will bring added problems or unwanted responsibilities later on. No person is ever entirely free to do just as he pleases. You find this true now in school. It will also be true in the workplace.

So whenever your parents insist on something you feel is contrary to what you want to do, it is good to keep in mind the principle stated at Colossians 3:23, 24: “Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men, for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the due reward.” Yes, do not lose sight of the fact that Jehovah will reward you if you are obedient and submissive to your parents. Ahead is the grand reward of endless, perfect life for those who persevere.​—Isaiah 65:21-23; Revelation 21:3-5.

Does It Solve Problems?

Another aspect to consider is whether running away is actually the answer to the situation. True, it may get you away from it momentarily. But running away does not solve problems. Eventually, they will have to be faced, in one way or another. “Running away only creates more problems for you,” reflects Amy, who ran away at 14 years of age. “It doesn’t get rid of them.” What, then, can be done?

Finding Love and Understanding

First, consider what brought on the problem. The parent-child relationship can be tenuous in the adolescent years. Why? The journal Adolescence explains: “Adolescence is a period of tremendous change and transition, while parents of teenagers also are involved in their own transition experiences as they near middle age, and the combination of these two periods of development can be especially stressful for all concerned.” So you may not be the only one who is going through a stressful transitional period and is in need of understanding. Most families can make it through without a crisis if feelings of love and respect are communicated.

Therefore, why not make a concerted effort to look beyond your own preferences and show love, realizing that “love never fails” and that it “covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Corinthians 13:8; 1 Peter 4:8) Giving love engenders love from others.

Have you done something wrong and now fear the consequences of your parents’ reaction? It is best to face up to the situation and seek mature help. First, try to talk it over with your parents. In addition, Christian youths have a great asset in that they may turn to congregation elders for assistance in solving problems and setting matters straight. The important thing is not to run away but to deal with the problem intelligently. In this way you can put it behind you, instead of having it hanging over your head.

But what if your situation at home is one in which you are unwanted, or it is extremely unhealthy for you? What if you are abused at home? Is running away the solution then? A future article will answer these questions.

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Families often feel tremendous anguish and concern when a member runs away

Do You Enjoy the Little Creatures?

MANY do not. And I was one of those many until I began to observe these little creatures more closely. Please consider a few things that I learned regarding three of them.

The Japanese Weevil

During May a Japanese weevil selects a suitable young leaf, such as one from the oak family. First, it snips through the veins of the leaf near its base. Because the sap supply is cut off, the leaf wilts. Now the leaf needs to be folded.

If you have ever attempted to fold leaves to wrap food attractively, you know how difficult it is to do it neatly. Yet, this tiny insect, less than one-fifth-inch [5 mm] long, has mastered how to do it. Using all six legs and her jaws, she folds the leaf lengthwise and then, starting from the tip, begins rolling it. Partway up, she stops to lay an egg in the folds of the leaf before completing the rolling. Cleverly, she pushes the leaf edges into the middle of the rolled tube so that the leaf does not unwind.

When the egg hatches, the baby is sheltered and surrounded by plenty of fresh food. The tightly packed leaf will stay fresh inside just as the inside of a cut cabbage or lettuce head lasts longer than the outside. Thanks to the preparations of its gifted mother, the baby will be provided for until it makes its debut into the outside world three to four weeks later.

A Beautiful Butterfly

Now, look at the eggs of Japan’s national butterfly, the Great Purple! Even they are pretty! From the end of July through mid-August, they can be found on leaves and branches. Laid in batches of 20 to 200, each egg is just 0.06 inch in diameter [1.5 mm]. In six to eight days, the eggs hatch. The larva chews around the top of the egg, climbs out, and eats its own eggshell. Quite a tidy little creature!

For the next three to four months, the larva eats, sleeps, and repeatedly discards its skin. In November it hides in the fallen leaves at the base of a tree and falls into a deep sleep. It wakes up around the beginning of May, sheds its brown winter skin, and continues eating, this time on a grander scale. Soon, it becomes a chrysalis, or pupa. Its excellent camouflage affords protection so that predators see it as just another leaf blowing in the breeze.

By this time, the insect has been alive over ten months. Around the end of June, the skin of the pupa breaks open, and a beautiful butterfly emerges. Its wingspan measures up to 4.3 inches [11 cm]. Since it has only about 40 days left to live, it reaches its peak in beauty at the end of its life.

An Industrious Bee

Bees of the leaf-cutter family take considerable time to locate just the right place to build nests. It could be a niche in a stone, a hollow in a piece of wood like bamboo, or a burrow in the ground.

Having selected the location, a bee begins her search for suitable leaves from which she cuts neat oval shapes. She folds each one in half and takes it back to the chosen location. Collecting sufficient leaves often involves from 20 to 30 trips.

Over the next two days, she collects nectar and pollen, which she brings back and unloads. When she has stored enough food to see her baby through to adulthood, she lays her egg. Not content until she has tucked her egg safely in, this conscientious mother bee now goes off to cut perfect circles out of leaves. With a few of these, she seals in her precious egg. When the larva hatches, it will enjoy the balanced diet of nectar (carbohydrate) and pollen (protein) provided by its hardworking mother.

After contemplating a few insects, I realized that even a little knowledge can remove a lot of prejudice against the Grand Designer and Life-Giver of such little creatures​—his name is Jehovah. Maybe you too could take time to enjoy the little creatures. They are everywhere.

How to Be a Successful Shopper

THE art of shopping has never been more important than in these days of high prices and inflation. In country after country, prices have hit alarming highs, with little hope of a downward trend in the foreseeable future. In many families both parents have to work just to make ends meet. How important it is, then, for you to know how, where, and when to shop and how to spend your money in the most prudent way!

Know the Value of Things

One of the most important elements in being a good shopper is knowing the value of things. A sale item​—be it clothing, an appliance, or food—​will not represent a savings if it is of poor quality, needs drastic alterations or repairs, or is ultimately not used.

For instance, when buying clothing, ask yourself: Is the material of good quality? Is it well made? Does it have to be altered? How often will I wear it? Is it a style that will last? Is it easy to keep clean? An item that needs to be dry-cleaned can be more expensive in the long run than a washable item that is higher priced initially. So maintenance is a factor. Real bargains are those clothes that fit well, flatter your face and figure, and can be worn and enjoyed for years.

The same principles apply to purchasing furniture and appliances, whether new or used. Is the item of good quality? Does it work? If repairs are needed, can you make them yourself? What will the final cost be? Asking yourself these questions, especially when shopping at garage and yard sales or flea markets, can inhibit impulse buying and save many a penny.

To get the best value in appliances, you should know what they cost to operate. Big maintenance and utility bills can add greatly to the cost of an item. Think too of where the item will be used. For example, an air conditioner placed in a sunny window will take much more electricity to cool the room than one placed in a window away from the sun. The length of time the appliance is on as well as its size, age, and efficiency will determine how much energy it draws and, therefore, the overall cost.

Know When to Buy

Knowing when to buy can at times be more important than where. Usually, the best bargains in summer clothes can be obtained toward the end of the summer season. Most clothing stores have clearance sales then to make room for their fall outfits. The same is true at the end of the winter season. The greatest savings will be realized by purchasing them toward the end of winter and just before the spring merchandise comes in. True, selections may not be as broad, but they are usually adequate.

Since most car models do not change much from year to year, you can save by buying a new car toward the end of the year when dealers clear their lots for the next year’s models. Do not be afraid to ask questions as to what warranties and service go with your purchase. In time these may prove more valuable than some features of the car itself.

Buy Only What You Need

It requires a great deal of discipline to resist impulse buying. And never is that truer than when shopping for food. It is one of the most costly items in a family’s budget.

At the same time, what you pay for food can usually be reduced a great deal by careful planning. With this in mind, observe a cardinal rule: Never shop for food when you are hungry. Never. You will invariably buy things (usually sweets) that you would not ordinarily buy. Have you not found that to be true?

Making a shopping list and sticking to it is another must for keeping within a budget. Unless you do, each time you enter the store, you will come out with more than you had planned to buy. According to surveys, a woman planning to buy 3 items in a supermarket, without a list, will end up with 8 to 10 items; a man with nearly 20! Of course, the stores contribute to this. How?

Necessities, such as dairy products, meats, and vegetables, are usually stocked far from checkout counters. Therefore, you must pass many products to get to these items. And before you have what you came in for, your basket may be half full. Obviously, a list in hand is essential in cutting down unneeded purchases.

Before shopping, it is also wise to check the store’s fliers for sales. Thus, if your budget allows, you can stock up on staples and plan the next week’s menus accordingly. Knowing the items and their usual prices will help you to avoid marketing gimmicks where an item is promoted but really not at a savings. Shopping in the middle of the week is another aid. The store will be less crowded, you will be less hurried, and you can still benefit from the sales. And remember to take advantage of fruits and vegetables in season. They are much more economical then and can often be canned for future use. Obviously, careful planning beforehand is necessary.

You may find it wise not to take the children shopping with you. Why? Because not only will they distract you but they have been conditioned to force you to buy what they see on television. Many mothers have been manipulated by their children at checkout counters to buy unnecessary toys and junk food that have been conveniently placed where the child can grab them. One mother in the midwestern United States admitted that hardly a shopping trip went by when she did not “have to buy” her young son a new toy truck or car. Needless to say, if you are weak in this area, diligent effort must be made to be loving but firm with your children if they are with you when you are shopping.

The rule of buying only what you need applies even more so to clothes when you are working with a tight budget. Fortunately, the amount spent in this area can be controlled, reduced, and even eliminated for a time. How? First, by passing clothes on to others in the family. Although some children have a mental block against hand-me-down clothes, if they are encouraged to appreciate that their cooperation will save the family money, their resentment may disappear. Especially is this true when they see the savings used for outings, vacations, and other family projects.

Second, swap meets featuring clothes and appliances can be organized among friends and neighbors. A dress that is the wrong color for one woman may be perfect for another. Shoes that were too small or too large can now be put to use. Appliances, unused in one home but needed in another, can be exchanged. The best part is that these needed items are received without any outlay of money​—a shopper’s dream.

Comparison Shopping

Considerable savings can be achieved by comparing store prices. Also, when buying in quantity, check to see which store gives the greatest discount. Some paint stores, for instance, give a 10-percent discount for four or more gallons of the same color. Often you can team up with others and share the products as well as the savings.

When buying food, the same procedure can be followed. Check your local paper to learn when each store has its sales and shop accordingly. Do not be a slave to brand names. A popular brand may lead in sales but not necessarily in nutrition. Popular brands are usually higher priced to cover advertising and packaging. Store brands may be just as good.

The “no frills” items of recent years are a boost to any budget. They are often packaged in plain black and white containers (hence their name). But do not judge them before trying them. Many are comparable in quality and taste to brand names, yet much less expensive. The same holds true with prescription drugs. A generic drug is identified by its chemical name rather than by a registered brand name. Its composition is the same, but it costs much less.

Of course, care must be used when doing comparison shopping. If one dashes all over town for just an item or two on sale, the amount saved will quickly be used up in transportation costs. So be sensible. You can even save by shopping in one store regularly. You get to know when sales are run. You also learn where the products are, and thus you save time. For those on a very busy schedule, that can be as important as saving money.

Resist Shopping Traps

Most supermarkets endeavor to promote impulse buying. Since their methods are often subliminal, you need to counteract their moves with knowledge, diligence, and discipline.

Clever packaging is one device used. Have you noticed how many products have colorful pictures of the food on them? Many are red in color or have red lettering on them. That is why the “no frills” items seem dull by comparison​—the appetite has not been whetted!

Be alert to the way that products are priced. Remember, pricing items at 99¢, $1.99, $2.99, and so forth, is a psychological trick that works on many. Also, do not feel compelled to buy items you may not need simply because they are advertised at three for 99 cents.

Another way customers may be influenced to buy is by where the food is positioned in the store. End-of-aisle displays, where the shopper has to slow down, often stock high-profit items or junk foods. The most expensive items are usually positioned at eye level. Compare them with the prices of items on the top and bottom shelves.

Coupons save money, but they also promote sales. In the United States, over 90 billion were issued in 1980 alone. Many persons buy the products just because they have the coupons. So remember: Coupons will be a savings only if you redeem them for products you need and regularly use. No item​—regardless of cost—​is a bargain if you really do not need it.

Do not let your guard down as you approach the checkout counter. You may have avoided many traps, but now you are captive​—you have to wait in line. And what is there to entice you? Why, candies, magazines, and those toys the children can grab and ease into your cart. When you do see them, it is often too late. Either you have already paid for them or you have to confront your determined child. The store has won!

But you can be the winner. Skillful shoppers can not only stay within their budgets but also save money while shopping. Could your shopping skills be improved? Why not make it a point each week to seek new ways to shop and save. Your family will benefit and so will you.

[Box/​Picture on page 21]

Do You Know

Why necessities usually are far from checkout counters?

How stores help children manipulate their parents to buy things?

How you can save on prescription drugs?

[Picture on page 22]

The most expensive items are often found at eye level, so compare items above and below

A Comics Artist Pursues Happiness

IN THE early 1970’s, I was a leading comics artist with Kodansha, a prestigious publishing firm in Japan. I was only 23, but I had a monthly income of from 300,000 to 400,000 yen, three or four times what was earned by a male college graduate with several years of experience in a major company. Also, after two years of courtship, my love for a promising young man seemed about to blossom into marriage.

What propelled me to national prominence was the comic serial entitled Happiness, which started in February 1972. Its theme was “An underprivileged girl, Shima, pursues happiness.” I extolled dramatically the preciousness of human love. My objective, however, was not to enhance the spiritual welfare of young readers but, rather, to create a successful serial.

I never dreamed then that I was yet to learn the meaning of true happiness and start a new life when the serial concluded after 46 weeks. What was that new start? First, let me tell you how I became a comics artist.

Road to Becoming a Comics Artist

Although my parents were poor, they valued education and did not skimp on money for books. Besides those books, I also read monthly magazines for girls. I was captivated by the comics they contained. Not satisfied with just reading, I started to draw comic characters.

When I was young, only three monthly comic books for girls were available. However, times changed. Even university students and adults began to read comic books openly. The Asahi Evening News observed recently: “What kind of book can be so influential that even television has trouble competing? In Japan, the answer is the comic book. There’s a type of ‘manga,’ or comic book, for everyone in Japan.”

The Mainichi Daily News reported in 1986: “Nearly one-third of all books and magazines published in Japan are Manga​—in a 300 billion yen industry with an annual circulation reaching 1.5 billion.” And early last year the paper said: “As of August 1986, 21 different comic books for adult female readers were on sale, with a combined monthly circulation of 58 million copies.”

As I was growing up, new comics artists were in demand. While I was a senior in high school, one of the biggest publishing firms in Japan ran the very first contest in search of new cartoonists. Delighted, I entered the contest but failed. The following year my work made the final selection. The third year I received notice from the publishing company: “You won the 1969 Third Kodansha Award for the Rookie Cartoonist for Children’s Comics.” These words had a magical effect on me, causing me to throw myself completely into my work.

Gaining Popularity

For an artist to have work published in a commercial magazine requires rigid training. Every week I had to incorporate an exciting climax to the serial, as well as conclude in a way that compelled readers to buy the next issue. This is not easy. Editorial staff go over the work with critical eyes. In businesslike tones lacking sympathy, they say, “This here, that there​—not at all publishable quality!”

Being a novice, I could not refute them. “I’ll adjust those immediately,” I would say dejectedly. Then I would rush home and work all night. Even after obediently adjusting the work four or five times, the editors still would not be satisfied. I often wept alone, being at a loss as to where and how I should make changes.

Yet, I liked this work. So I did my best to comply with the editor’s wishes. Yielding to the staff, who were thoroughly aware of readers’ reactions, contributed to my success. Soon I ranked high in popularity polls, which was unusual for a novice. In time, I was competing for first place in popularity votes with the very cartoonists who had been the objects of my admiration. The comic serial Happiness, which started in the third year of my debut, was from its beginning ranked the most popular of all the comics.

The characters I drew made the covers of Girls’ Friend, one of the two major comic magazines for girls in Japan. This meant my name sold the magazine. But, sadly, I was not really achieving the happiness that I wrote about.

What Was Life Like?

As I became popular, my life-style changed, especially after I moved to Tokyo and started living in an apartment. I behaved just like the other popular cartoonists, who would go out after work to bars and clubs till the wee hours of the morning, only to sleep during the daytime.

In order to maintain popularity, I had to draw more sensational pictures and at the same time produce more. I never had enough time because I was not a fast worker and would not compromise when it came to quality. Not taking a bath for days and not cleaning my room for a month were not at all unusual. I would sometimes work 30 or 40 hours straight to meet deadlines. I sacrificed everything for my work.

This resulted in the frustration of having money but not having time to spend it. So I began squandering money, buying a new dress every month yet seldom wearing it. I used taxis wherever I went and started spending tens of thousands of yen at a time on records. This only enhanced the emptiness I felt.

In this world where popularity counts, vicious rivalry intensifies as popularity increases. Somebody stepping up the ladder means somebody else is going down. Once you reach the top, the other cartoonists become your enemies seeking to topple you from that position. What if your popularity decreases? Once the copy money, or payment for your work goes up, it seldom comes down. So when your popularity dwindles and your copy money remains high, no work comes in. You are then forgotten.

Even though my feeling of accomplishment was great, in the world of successful comics artists, I found emptiness and restlessness, like a wind blowing through my heart. Yet, I did not want to admit it.

Source of True Happiness?

In October 1971 a presentable young man knocked on my door. He was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. After a few visits, he introduced his mother, saying, “My mother will now take over.”

I had the fame and money that I desired, but I looked neither as wealthy nor as happy as Mrs. Satogami, who helped me with my Bible study. Even my feelings toward my steady boyfriend did not sparkle as much as the joy she displayed when she talked about her God, Jehovah. What made the difference? I wanted to find out if the Bible was the key.

But finding time to study was difficult, especially with my routine of going to bed at noon, getting up at six p.m. and working till noon the next day. I often woke up at the sound of the doorbell, washed, and then started the study.

Obstacles

Eventually, I began to talk to my assistants and my boyfriend about what I was learning. ‘They should all know this,’ I thought. Above all, I wanted my boyfriend to study. He did not, however, show any interest, and every time the subject came up, he turned sullen. I was baffled and felt uneasy. Am I being deceived just as he says? Would I lose him someday if I continued? The thought of losing him was unbearable. We had fallen intensely in love, or so we thought, and I did not even feel like working if he did not telephone me. To be his bride was my cherished dream.

As I progressed in my study, other things started to disturb me. My life and my outlook on life were far removed from the Bible’s standards. Considering that comics reflect the author’s opinions and that they influence tens of thousands of sensitive children, I trembled at the seriousness of my responsibility. My confidence fled as I realized that through the dialogues of my comic characters, I might be advocating things that are wrong. Just from reading the fan letters that came in every week, I knew exactly how young minds react to those short dialogues.

As a professional, however, I had to write comics that would sell. What sells well is obvious from the immoral and violent comics now flourishing. Being a leading comics artist, I was expected to cater to the demand of such readers. I had the knack of stirring dreamy girls’ feelings because I depicted in a pleasant way teenagers’ falling in love and having relationships. In fact, that was the major reason for my early success.

I faced a dilemma. What I had studied in the Bible prompted me to want to change, but I lacked a strong motivating force. I believed in evolution and did not recognize the existence of a Creator. On the other hand, I could not deny that what I was studying sounded logical and reasonable.

Oh, how I wished my boyfriend would look into this with me! But he never agreed to do that. Finally, he said one day, “I’m scared to examine it.” What a coward! I started to doubt whether he really loved me. And myself? Could it be that I was in love with love itself?

A Turning Point

In May 1972, when I attended a public meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses for the second time, I was introduced to another young Bible student of Mrs. Satogami. We took a liking to each other, and I promised to visit her apartment later that day. On my way, I slipped and sprained my ankle. This compelled me to stay with her overnight.

That evening I happened to pick up a book from her bookshelf. It was entitled Did Man Get Here by Evolution or by Creation? I wanted to know what was in that book. Though the curtain was closed, dim street light seeped in. I concealed myself behind the curtain, and trying very hard not to let the light fall in my sleeping friend’s direction, I began reading the book.

What a wonderful book that was! Many times tears interrupted my reading. When day dawned, I had almost gone through the whole book. I could not hold back my tears. The evolution theory is wrong! A grand Creator of the universe and of mankind exists! That was the most touching night I have ever experienced in my life. There is a God! Logical evidences are right here at hand. How could I shy away from serving almighty God any longer?

As I started to associate with others having the same desire to serve God, what had seemed so enjoyable​—going out to drink and indulging in empty conversation—​now appeared vain. I was now disgusted with my friends’ filthy language and their bragging about their obscene escapades.

As individuals, the editorial staff and fellow cartoonists were very nice people. But waves of Satan’s permissive spirit had swept into our comic book world and eroded it. People speak out of the abundance of their hearts. (Matthew 12:34) Immoral comics reflect the values of those who offer them. Who can successfully deny that Satan has subtly used some comic books as a powerful weapon to encourage immoral and violent conduct? I myself had to admit that, week after week, I had promoted immoral thinking through my comics.

After considering the type of person I am, I decided that it was impossible to put God first in my life and continue to work as a popular comics artist. I told the editorial staff that I was going to quit. I also ended the relationship with my boyfriend.

The Way of Happiness

The comic serial entitled Happiness concluded in December 1972, with Shima starting a new life filled with hope. I too started on a new way of life a week after completing the serial. I was baptized in symbol of my dedication to Jehovah God.

In June 1973, when my contract ran out, I quit my work as a comics artist, and in September I became a full-time minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In the meantime, I had the joy of helping two of my assistants learn the way to true happiness. Since 1975 I have been spending more than 140 hours every month in the Christian ministry.

Has it been a way of happiness? I no longer have a large income, but I have a satisfaction I did not enjoy as a comics artist. I work at helping others find the way to everlasting happiness. And this work is far more creative than that of a comics artist. Also, I am surrounded by fellow believers, who show true brotherly affection. Above all, I have the wonderful privilege of knowing and serving the Grand Creator of the universe and have the hope of praising him forever in a paradise earth.​—As told by Yumiko Fujii.

[Picture on page 23]

The characters I drew made the covers of a major comic magazine

[Pictures on page 24]

Winning an award for novice cartoonists, I stepped into the world of comics artists

[Picture on page 26]

Now I share in the public preaching work of Jehovah’s Witnesses

From Our Readers

Sacrifices Bring Rich Rewards

Thank you, particularly for the experience of Lynette Sigg, “Sacrifices Bring Rich Rewards.” (August 22, 1987) If I could only have the same mental attitude she displays. I am constantly complaining about what I don’t have instead of giving thanks for what has been given to me. I am arrogant and never give a thought to the One to whom I owe my life. I wanted you to know that from now on I am really going to be more sincere in my efforts. In this respect Lynette’s life story has been a help to me.

K. W., Japan

Masturbation

Thank you for your article on masturbation. (September 8, 1987) I always thought that masturbation would deaden sexual desires, but with the help of your article, I now realize that it does not. I am confident now that I have read your article that I will succeed in overcoming this bad habit and thus fulfill 2 Corinthians 7:1. Thank you again.

J. T., United States

The article on masturbation does a fine job of explaining why the habit is wrong but offers little actual help in how to avoid it. We are urged to ‘deaden our body members’ but are not told how to do this. A few practical suggestions on how to deal with the problem would be appreciated.

S. J., United States

This was the first of three articles to be published on the subject. The second one, which appeared in our issue of November 8, 1987, was entitled “Young People Ask . . . Why Is It So Hard to Avoid Masturbation?” The third, which will appear in our issue of March 8, 1988, is entitled “Young People Ask . . . How Can I Fight the Habit of Masturbation?” The second and third articles provide the practical suggestions requested.​—ED.

I became very upset when I read your article on masturbation. I never thought that it was wrong, since I never had any guilt feelings because of practicing it. That made me think: ‘If masturbation is wrong, how can those of us who are too young to marry relieve the sexual desires so common at our age? Further, what about the “didactic” value of masturbation, that is, the youth’s discovery of the natural functions of his organs by having an orgasm?’

T. D., Brazil

As shown in our first article, masturbation does not deaden but rather excites sexual desires. The Bible’s counsel is to ‘deaden your body members as respects sexual appetite,’ not excite to greater desires. (Colossians 3:5) The apostle Paul wrote at 1 Corinthians 9:27: “I pummel my body and lead it as a slave,” which does not allow for simply giving in to any fleshly desires. At Galatians 5:23-25, Christians are urged to cultivate the fruitage of the spirit, which includes self-control, not self-indulgence. Masturbation is not a necessary way for youths to learn about orgasm, since the body cares for this in a natural way. Parents should educate their children in advance regarding these bodily changes. Further, masturbation does not prepare one for marriage but, rather, centers attention on one’s own selfish satisfaction. It does not prepare one to give pleasure to a future marriage mate.​—ED.

Watching the World

Homosexual Vicars

The ruling synod of the Church of England recently voted “against returning to a ‘biblical standard’ of morality” by allowing homosexual clergy members to stay in the church, reports the Daily Express of London. The decision was in response to a motion for their expulsion by Tony Higton, rector of Hawkwell, Essex. According to the paper, Higton said that “homosexuality had become ‘so rampant’ in one Anglican college that students from another theological college had to be banned from visiting.” Higton also cited cases “where clergy had been moved to other parishes after child molestation reports.” The synod, however, “did not ask for gay vicars to be expelled.” Instead, clergymen were encouraged to maintain sexual morality.

Religious Interest Declining

“Growing numbers of Canadians say they have no religious preference,” states The Toronto Star. “And fewer of those who do have a preference attend church regularly.” According to a report released by a federal agency, Statistics Canada, 10 percent of all wage earners aged 15 and older say they now have no religious preference, compared with less than 1 percent in 1961. And 21 percent of those who did claim religious affiliation admit that they never attend services or meetings of their church.

Making Cut Flowers Last

How disappointing it is when a beautiful bouquet of flowers withers and dies within a day or two! One cause for premature withering is that the stalks do not absorb the water properly because of callus, a soft tissue that forms where the stalks are cut. The French daily Le Figaro passes on the following advice offered by two French florists: “Just . . . cut a small piece off the ends of the stalks and change the water every day.” Also, they suggest that “adding just a few drops of Javelle water [a bleaching agent] can have a beneficial antiseptic effect” on the flowers.

Still Remorseful

On May 5, 1945, while on a Sunday-school picnic on Gearhart Mountain in southern Oregon, a pregnant woman and five children were killed by a Japanese balloon bomb. They were the only people to die during World War II by an attack on the continental United States. They found the shiny bomb attached to a hydrogen balloon made of rice paper, and as they gathered around it, it exploded. Although the incident took place over 42 years ago, seven Japanese women who took part in making the balloon recently sought to heal the wounds by sending letters of condolence to the families of the victims. Included as symbols of peace and healing were 1,000 folded paper cranes. “I never felt angry,” said Nyle Gifford, whose son died in the explosion. “We were Christians, and we were forgiving.”

No More!

Maria Benita Olivera, 49, a farmer’s wife of San Juan, Argentina, gave birth to her 32nd child without incident, reports the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo. Her first children, triplets, were born when she was just 13 years old. Later on, she had twins. Twenty-five of her children were by her first husband and seven by her second. It was her 25th birth that she remembers most. “I was working in the field, when I began to feel the birth pains,” she recalls. “I was alone. I went to a shack, the baby was born, and I cut the umbilical cord with a razor blade.” However, Maria has now decided she has had enough. On leaving the hospital on August 20, 1987, she declared: “One more and I’ll die. I’m getting old.”

First Electronic Book

An Australian company has developed the world’s first electronic book. No bigger than the average credit card, it slots into a screen unit about the size of a paperback novel. Each card can hold as much information as a small encyclopedia. Called the Smart Book, it enables readers to carry a good-sized library around in a handbag and is designed for easy use. Six buttons on the screen unit enable the user to change the type size, search for particular words, or mark his place in the text. The report in the Sydney Sun-Herald claims that the device should sharply cut costs of shipping books, help preserve the world’s dwindling forests, and “revolutionise the book trade around the world in the coming years.” The company plans to produce the Bible first, as well as a combined dictionary/​thesaurus.

Increasing Antibiotic Resistance

Disease-causing bacteria are increasingly becoming resistant to the antibiotics used to fight them, reports Insight magazine. Some 100 experts from 30 countries were involved in the 1983-86 study. They found that in a number of countries, from 20 to 30 percent “of the prevalent strains of bacteria that cause diarrhea and pneumonia are resistant to such common antibiotics as penicillin and tetracycline.” In some cases, the drug-resistant strains have been carried from one land to another. The study group recommended that physicians be advised on the minimum effective use of antibiotics and be reminded that antibiotics are not cure-alls.

No Safe Tan

“There is no such thing as a safe tan,” claims Dr. Darrell S. Rigel, of the New York University School of Medicine. Each year in the United States, more than 500,000 cases of skin cancer are reported. Of these, 90 percent are said to be caused by the sun’s invisible ultraviolet rays. The Mexico City News reports that although “people who sunburn are more likely to develop cancer, . . . sunlight damages skin even when there is no burn.” Yet, “people believe it won’t happen to them,” says Dr. Richard Odom, president of the American Academy of Dermatology. Sunscreens, such as chemical lotions with a high sun-protection-factor (S.P.F.) rating, are recommended. “You can’t undo the damage already done, but you can protect yourself against future damage,” says Dr. Rigel.

“Throwaway Society”

Statistics released by Britain’s Office of Population Censuses and Surveys reveal the growing instability of marriage. The number of first-time marriages dropped from 343,600 in 1971 to 253,000 in 1986, while divorces soared from 74,400 to 153,900. The rate of illegitimacy also increased from 1 in 18 births in 1971 to 1 in 5 in 1986. One of every 50 women aged 16 to 24 has had an abortion, and two thirds of all abortion patients are unmarried. Professor Richard Whitfield, chairman of the National Campaign for the Family, laments: “We are living in a sort of throwaway society where people’s relationships are increasingly being seen as disposable as maybe a car or household item.”

Prison Suites?

A night in an Australian jail now costs about the same as a night spent at a five-star hotel, reports The Courier-Mail, an Australian newspaper. Daily jail accommodations now cost about A$100 ($70, U.S.) and may go as high as $400 for maximum-security prisoners. Three of Melbourne’s plushest hotels have nightly rates of $110, $120, and $135. A spokesman for the Institute of Criminology said that Australia’s prison population had increased alarmingly over the past few years. He pointed out that a prisoner serving a life sentence (on average, 15 years) would cost taxpayers more than $500,000. Concern is mounting over the “five-star” prices for jail inmates.

Porcupine Quills

Do You Know—

◯ How many quills a porcupine has?

◯ If it ever shoots its quills at an attacker?

THE 30,000 or more quills that constantly replace themselves are never used aggressively but only in defense; nor does the porcupine shoot its quills. True, when it swings its loaded tail at an attacker, some quills may fly out but with insufficient force to get stuck in anything. When the swung tail does connect with an assailant, the quills are difficult to extract.

A few years ago, a biologist had such a painful encounter with a porcupine. One quill traveled ten inches [25 cm] in the flesh of his arm before emerging two days later. There was no infection. He ran tests on other quills and was amazed to find that they have mild antibiotic properties. For this reason, quills rarely cause infection.

If, though, the barbed head of a quill works its way into the flesh and strikes a vital organ, it can cause the death of its victim. And if the quills pierce an animal’s mouth so that it is unable to eat, the animal may starve to death.

An added bonus is that the quills act like a flotation jacket when the porcupine decides to dine on a favorite food​—water lilies. Like the animal itself, its quills are truly the product of an intelligent Designer.

[Picture Credit Line on page 31]

Elizabeth Joy/​National Park Service

“A One-Time Cure for Life’s Problems”

That is how one reader described the book Happiness​—How to Find It. He wrote: “Having read all the book, I have found that it is timely, invaluable, orthodox and a one-time cure for life’s problems.

“The first four chapters are a challenge to atheists and evolutionists, the middle twelve chapters are a therapy for unhappiness and complex problems . . . the last four chapters are a challenge to clergymen and churchgoers.

“All those who have read the book with me can see what I have seen​—the Bible is practical. The Bible is for all centuries and decades.”

This 192-page book can benefit you too. It provides the best possible advice on dealing with problems involving money, sex, family, sickness, and death.

Please send me, postpaid, the hardbound book Happiness​—How to Find It. I enclose $1 (U.S.).