Story from the Tooth Fairy’s Point of View

In English class on day one, we were asked to write a short story about a memory we had.  It could be about anytime or anything.  The Professor just wanted to have a writing sample from each student on file.  I chose the memory from when I was 5 years old and lost my first tooth.

The second week of class, she asked us to write the story again, from the point of view of a different character in the story.  Because I deal with children so often, I wanted to make it kind of fun so I wrote my second paper from the point of view of the Tooth Fairy.  Let me know what you think.

My original paper titled, “Memory” (I know…that is super original – she made us do it.)

There are many things throughout childhood that make a mark on a person.  I can remember numerous things from my early years that have left memories that I think about all the time.  However, becoming a mother has made me recall things I haven’t thought about in years.  For instance, when my oldest son lost his first tooth, I added the “Tooth Fairy Hat” to my long growing list of mommy duties.  Unlike many first time parents that worry about what the going rate of a tooth is these days, I already had a plan.

When I was 5 years old, I lost my first tooth.  It had been loose for several days and I had wiggled it relentlessly, until it literally fell into my tiny little palm.  I was so excited!  That night I placed my tooth under my pillow and dreamt of what the Tooth Fairy might leave in exchange for my tiny pearl-like tooth.  This was my first – so I had no idea what to expect.

The second my eyes popped open that next morning, I threw my pillow off my bed and there it was.  A whole dollar bill!  I grabbed my prize and ran off to search for my mom.  I remember the strange look on her face as she suggested I go show my father what the Tooth Fairy left for me.  He seemed shocked as well and told me that the Tooth Fairy was selfish and must have been having a bad day to only leave me one single dollar.  He offered to trade me four shiny new quarters for that dollar, which I gladly accepted.

Years later, after learning the true story behind the Tooth Fairy, I overheard a conversation between my parents and some friends of theirs.  As it turns out, the “Tooth Fairy” had left me a brand spanking new ONE HUNDRED dollar bill for my first tiny tooth.  At 12 years old, I wasn’t sure if I should be angry or amused at the story.  However, on that day I vowed that my future children would never receive anything less than a nice, crisp five dollar bill for each and every tooth they lost.

I am a mom of 3 amazing children – ages 14, 12 and 2.  With each little tooth they have lost, they gain five dollars.  Even my older children that now understand that she is just a myth, still look forward to the last of their baby teeth coming out.  As my children grow and experience life, I look forward to more of my childhood memories resurfacing and using those memories to help my children make their own.

Here is my second paper titled, “Memory POV” (that one is all me…pretty creative, huh?!)

As the sun set that night, I began to get excited about the events that were about to unfold.  I remember the excitement was almost palpable.  It was silly, really, for me to get so enthusiastic about it since it was something that happened every day somewhere in the world.  However, I had been looking forward to that night for years.  The sun finally set and the moon majestically rose over the city, and I took flight toward the 2^nd story windows of apartment 32B on Dixon Avenue.

The glass was raised just an inch, enough to let the breeze of the night in.  I quietly slipped in the room and fluttered over to the bed.  There she laid, a sweet little red-headed child, no doubt dreaming of the treasure that would hopefully be waiting for her upon waking.  Ever so slowly, I waved my enchanted wand over her pillow.  Just as I suspected, they hadn’t remembered.  Regardless, I would not let this child grow to disbelieve as her parents did.  I quietly slipped her tooth in my pouch and replaced it with a prize so great it would surely bring a smile to her gentle face and just maybe a little belief back into the hearts of her parents.  I settled my tiny frame in the middle of the lovely pink flower on her pajamas, being careful to hide behind the petals.  I wanted a firsthand view of the morning to follow.  I gently stretched, sighed a silent little yawn and fell asleep.

I recall that morning in incredible detail, her waking, throwing the pillow off of her bed and then the giggles of delight as she found her reward.  I bounced all around that petite little flower as she ran in search of her parents, I must admit, I was giggling too.  It was almost time.

Her mother was washing dishes and I can still feel the smile that spread across my tiny fairy face as the look of confusion swept across her face.  She sent the child in search of her father.  He was working under the hood of their Classic Chevy outside and again, the feeling of victory filled my soul.  He too was confused.  As expected, he told the child that I was selfish and had only left her a single dollar and offered to trade her for four shiny quarters, to which she of course accepted.

The child skipped her way back into the house, with her father in tow.  She kept shouting, “The Tooth Fairy remembered me!  Can you believe it?”  It was time for the big pay-off.  Her parents looked at each other with confusion as she bounced around the room with her coins jingling in her petite palms.  Her father whispered, “Did you…?”  Her mother shook her head and whispered back, “No.  Didn’t you?”  He shook his head as well.  Together, they watched in awe at their very happy daughter, wondering if it was really possible.

Years later, I found out that the child overheard that the prize she found under her pillow that morning was a brand new 100 dollar bill and that her father had exchanged it for change for a dollar.  She was a little irritated but at the same time tickled that they had made such a mistake.  Nevertheless, she vowed that day that when she got the chance to play the Tooth Fairy, she would always give her children $5 for every tooth they lost – which means in turn they would always believe.  That is something her parents had long since forgotten how to do.  Keeping her promise to this very day, that little girl is a mom and instills the importance of believing in magic to each of her children, every single day.  Mission accomplished.

I’d love to know:

A.) What did you think?  Honestly – you can be brutal, I can take it!

B.) I’d really like to have a piece of artwork that matches my Tooth Fairy story (atleast from her POV) – anyone wanna be friendly?  If so you can mail it to POBox 121861, FW, TX 76121 and I would be ridiculously happy.

C.) Do you have a favorite childhood memory or perhaps a Tooth Fairy story of your own?  Please share!