Bobby Davies, age 10, of Phoenix, Arizona, for the question:

What causes a wart?

Some people say that you can catch warts from a toad. This is untrue and unfair. Mr. Toad is very proud of his warts and refuses to give any of them away. He makes a charming pet and you can handle him safely. Be careful to handle him gently for, compared with you, he is a very small fellow. And be sure to wash your hands before dinner ‑ as you would in any case.

Warts are thought to be caused by a tiny virus. It seems to attack old wounds, whore you have been scratched or bruised. A wad of fibers begin to grow in the skin like a miniature tree stump. It gets to a certain size and then it leaves you.

It is best to keep a band‑aid over a wart. The pesky things tend to bet bumped and bruised. If you wish, you may have the doctor treat it. Chances are he can speed up the wasting away process and you will lose your ugly wart more quickly.