My Tooth Fairy

When I was young, I was never introduced to any tooth fairy. In fact, I never knew about any tooth fairy until... hmm, come to think of it, I have never bothered about her, anyway. I probably have heard about it while watching cartoons and such, but I never actually believe nor ponder deeply about her.

Along, my eldest daughter, happily informed me one day that her front tooth was shaky. I told her that that tooth would have to be pulled off soon. And that she would get a new tooth. Unlike me who hates dentist, she was very much excited to go to one. So I told her to keep shaking the teeth.

Then, Angah asked, "How do you brush a tooth after you pulled it off? Do I have to hold it in one hand and use my other hand to brush it?"

I chuckled and said, "No, you don't have to do that. Instead you throw the old tooth. You will be getting a new one, anyway."

"How do we throw it?" asked Along.

I paused and then continued, "Well, there are two ways of doing it. You could just throw it in the trash can. Or, you can throw it on the rooftop."

"Rooftop? Why the rooftop?"

"I don't know. My grandmother used to tell me that if any of your lower tooth came off, throw it on the roof. For the upper ones, throw it on the ground."

"Oh," said Along, "but I cannot throw it on the roof by myself."

"Don't worry, I can do that for you when the time comes. Now, let's go to bed."

*Phew*

Thank God, the question and answer session stopped there. If they started asking about the why we have to throw the tooth in such a way, I'm not sure I'd be quick enough to provide a convincing answer for them.

"But, mama. If the tooth fairy came and take our tooth, after we wake up, there will be a shiny new coin," Angah came with her afterthought.

I just said, "How about a shiny new teeth, instead."

"Tooth, mama. One tooth, many teeth," Along interjected.

"Ok. Ok. I mean tooth. A shiny new tooth. Now, let's go to bed, shall we."

They must have watched too many of Astro's channels 60 - 63.