Alan bets $50 that Billy can’t eat 15 worms in 15 days. Why is this a mistake for Alan, and what might he have wagered instead that wouldn’t have put him into such a bind?

Why is Billy mad at Tom for refusing to eat a worm? Offer two reasons, and explain how they might affect the outcome of the bet.

Billy at first is afraid that eating worms will harm him, but later he eats them with confidence. What changes his attitude? What do Alan and Joe do to try to rekindle Billy’s fear?