Why does a dog wag its tail? "Are you kidding?" you will say. "Why do you ask me such a simple question? Everyone knows the answer to that one! A dog wags its tail simply because it is happy." And I would say that you are quite right; a dog does wag its tail because it is happy. But after all, that does not really answer the question.
Suppose I ask it in a slightly different way: Why does a dog wag its tail when it is happy? Why doesn't it bob its head up and down? Why doesn't it scratch its ears? Why doesn't it stomp on its forelegs? Why doesn't it roll over on its back? Why doesn't it put a paw in its mouth, stick out its tongue, or wink an eye? Why, in particular, does it wag its tail when it is happy? Now the question takes on more meaning
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Suppose I ask it in a slightly different way: Why does a dog wag its tail when it is happy? Why doesn't it bob its head up and down? Why doesn't it scratch its ears? Why doesn't it stomp on its forelegs? Why doesn't it roll over on its back? Why doesn't it put a paw in its mouth, stick out its tongue, or wink an eye? Why, in particular, does it wag its tail when it is happy? Now the question takes on more meaning
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