I had a teacher in fifth grade. She told us this story:

I had a cat when I was a child. Someone told me that cats always land on their feet.

I took my cat to the second-floor balcony and dropped it. The cat landed on its feet.

"Interesting," I said, "but not necessarily conclusive."

I took the cat to the first-floor balcony and dropped it. It landed on its feet.

"Interesting," I said, "but not necessarily conclusive."

I took the cat one step up from the ground and dropped it.

It landed on its head.

And so began my education.

*I do not believe this was a true story. But I'm 40, and I still remember it. Well played, Mrs. Crum.