In this story by Isaac Asimov, a scientist tells astounded colleagues a “tall tale” about how a new model robot broke the first and most fundamental of the Three Laws of Robotics: a robot may not injure a human being, or through inaction allow a human being to come to harm. The malfunctioning robot had escaped from its base and, upon encountering the man in a deadly zero-visibility storm, left him to die. Although the robot had a legitimate reason for its actions, the model was discontinued immediately. Themes include disobedience, protectiveness and “motherly” love.
For anyone interested, Asimov later added a fourth law. Called the “Zeroth”, because it stands above the other three, it states: A robot may not harm humanity, or, by inaction, allow humanity to come to harm.
The First Law Text / PDF / Audio (1,050 words)