"So," the admissions officer said, steepling his fingers and looking a very long way down his nose at Wormy. "Why should I accept you to CMU?"

"Well," said Wormy. "I know worms are known for being cowardly and spineless, but I think I've shown a lot of courage. Even in the few books I've already appeared in, I've been a sailor, and a traveler, and fought global warming, and hung out with birds, and..."

"It's highly unusual for us to admit a worm," the admissions officer interrupted Wormy.

Oh, no, Wormy thought. Quick, I have to turn this interview around. Hm... Doesn't CMU have a motto that they bring up all the time...?

"Well," Wormy said. "You could say that MY HEART IS IN THE WORM."

"Wow, you're brilliant!" the admissions officer gushed. "You're in."