Scott Williamson, age 10, of Jacobus, Penn., for his question:

DOES A CAT HAVE NINE LIVES?

One of the smartest of all the tame animals, and also one of the most popular of all house pets, is the cat. This proud animal, who usually demands that he have his own way, has only one life    not nine as the popular story goes.

Most cats live to be about 14, although many reach the age of 18 or 19. Some even live to be 30.  Because the cat can escape unharmed from many dangerous situations, people have always said that the cat has nine lives. The real secret is the cat's swiftness, agility and perfect sense of balance.

Faced with a dangerous situation that would kill most small animals, the cat usually comes out with not even a whisker bent.