Fred was a young man from the mountains of eastern Tennessee. He was a general ne'er-do-well. When he was called up for duty in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Fred had high hopes that he would be turned down because of his double vision.

The doctor said, "See that chart on the wall over there?"

"Not very well, Doc. It's all blurry," said Fred.

"You've passed," said the doctor.

Fred protested, "How can I pass when I told you it's all blurry?"

"That," said the doctor, "was your hearing test."

Have you ever noticed that life is a series of tests?

Some time back I shared with you some superstitions that college students

have to help them pass tests. Recently I ran across another list of these superstitions. This one was compiled by Professor Simon J. Bronner, who has spent years…