Educating the professor
When I was in college at San Francisco State University, Jim and Jonathon were quite young. Child care time was precious, and not always available to me, so when I had an afternoon meeting with my Mineralogy teacher, both of the boys went with me. I'm not sure of the date, but they were probably 5 or 6 years old at the time. My professor, Dr. Kirk, was an extremely odd individual, with many personality and physical quirks. However, he was a kind man and when I showed up with two small children, he showed them around the lab and displayed some of the mineral specimens. Thinking to edify and entertain them, he handed them both display samples of Halite, which is the rock salt we use at table. He showed them how they could be identified by crystal shape and taste; rubbing a wet finger on the sample and then inserting finger in mouth. We then proceeded with our discussion while both boys were quiet and occupied. When we concluded, we turned back to the children and Dr. Kirk asked for the rock samples back. Jim and Jonathon both looked at him in blank dismay; they thought the rock samples were gifts and had eaten them entirely. Dr. Kirk was absolutely nonplussed, who would have thought it? Since there was no retrieving the samples, they were written off as a learning experience for the professor, and I kept a close eye on the boys for a day or so to see if they would have any ill effects. They didn't seem to suffer from the experience, and after that could instantly identify Halite.