This evening Larry King closed his program by asking his guest to reflect upon Mark Twain's choice to be an animal rather than a human being if he were ever given the choice. Larry King said something to this effect, "Mark Twain was once asked what he would choose to be if given the choice between being an animal or a human being. He chose to be an animal. What is your comment on this?" Larry King's guest answered that he himself would rather be a "sentient being." The precise phraseology can be had at www.cnn.com/larryking and looking at the transcripts of the March 18th, 2000 broadcast, which will hopefully be available within 24 hours. Perhaps Larry King has taken Mark Twain out of context. We all know about Mark Twain's comment that crossing a man and a cat would deteriorate the cat and improve the man, or his statement that, "Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass." But, honestly, does anyone really believe that Mark Twain would actually chose to be a generic animal instead of a human being? I for one don't think so. For one thing, no other animal can write! Nor can any other animal smoke a cigar at will, or have a drink of alcohol, or play billiards, etc.. Even as much as Mark Twain held cats in the utmost high regard, I know he wouldn't seriously consider being one, especially considering his observation that, "We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it--and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit on a hot stove-lid again--and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one any more." I would appreciate feedback about this matter to this forum, or to me personally at [log in to unmask] . Thank You All, Bob Slotta