Dr. Thomas Hilton tells a story of a man with the odd name of Horville Sash. Horville had a very humble job in a certain company, a job in the lowest basement of a building. He was a mailroom clerk. As mailroom clerk, there was no one who was lower than he was.

One day he came across a bug scurrying across the floor. Horville may have the lowliest job in the whole company, but he was bigger than the bug! So he raised his foot to flatten the hapless bug.

But this story is a fable, and the bug speaks. "Spare me," said the bug, "and I will grant you your fondest wishes." Horville spared the bug. His reward: a wish. "I wish to be promoted to the second floor." And his wish was granted. Zap! He found hi…