Several years ago I came across a wonderful parable.  An insurance
policyholder had sent in a claim regarding an accident he had had on the
job, and the insurance company requested more information.  Here's his
answer: 

     I am writing in response to your request concerning clarification of the 
information I supplied in block number eleven on the insurance form, which 
asked for the cause of the injury.  I answered "trying to do the job alone".  
I trust the following explanation will be sufficient:

     I am a bricklayer by trade.  On the date of the injury, I was working
alone, laying brick around the top of a three-story building.  When I
finished the job, I had about 500 lbs of brick left over.  Rather than
carry the bricks down by hand, I decide d to put them into a barrel and
lower them by a pulley that was fastened to the top of the building. 

     I secured the end of the rope at ground level, went back up to the
top of the building, loaded the bricks into the barrel, and pushed it over
the side.  I then went back down to the ground and untied the rope,
holding it securely to insure the slow d escent of the barrel.  As you
will note in block number six of the insurance form, I weigh 145 lbs.  At
the shock of being jerked off the ground so swiftly by the 500 lbs of
bricks in the barrel, I lost my prescence of mind - and forgot to let go
of the rope. 

     Between the 2nd and 3rd floors, I met the barrel.  This accounts for
the bruises and lacerations on my upper body.  Fortunately, I retained
enough prescence of mind to maintain my tight hold on the rope and
proceeded rapidly up the side of the buildi ng, not stopping until my
right hand was jammed in the pulley.  This accounts for my broken thumb
(see block number four).  Despite the pain, I continued to hold tightly to
the rope.  Unfortunately, at approximately the same time, the barrel hit
the groun d, and the bottom fell out of the barrel.  Devoid of the weight
of the bricks, the barrel now weighed 50 lbs.  I again refer you to block
number six, where my weight is listed.  I began a rapid descent. 

     In the vicinity of the 2nd floor, I met the barrel coming up.  This
explains the injury to my legs and lower body.  Slowed only slightly, I
continued my decent, landing on the pile of bricks.  Fortunately, my back
was only sprained.  I am sorry to re port, however, that at this point, I
again lost my prescence of mind, - and let go of the rope. 

     I trust this answers your concern.  Please note that I am finished
trying to do the job alone.