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I just went to the circus where a woman hung from a trapeze, twirling
around and around, with her long hair the only thing connecting her to the trapeze. Is her hair
especially strong?
Signed, Janis
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Dear Janis:
Nope. But I'm sure the performer you saw was particularly experienced in braiding her hair. I bet
she knew exactly how to braid it so that when she hung upside down her weight was evenly
distributed. That meant that a pull to one strand of her hair meant a pull to all. She knew what
sailors and mountain climbers know: thin strands of anything, be it hair or rope, can be woven
together into something new that is very, very strong, and useful! However, Janis, please, if you
have a braid, don't go dangling from high places. Your circus performer has trained for many many
years and knows exactly what to do. I don't and, I'm afraid, my dear, neither do you. But let me
know when the circus is back in town. This is one act I'd love to catch!
Signed,
Wendell
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