The Halloween Tooth Fairy

When I bit into my little brother Henry’s caramel apple, it made

my front tooth wiggle.

Soon I could twist it back and forth. A final yank and there it was, sharp and
white.

“Put it under your pillow for the Tooth Fairy,” Mom said.

The Tooth Fairy! I tried to stay up all night to meet her.

When I peeked under my pillow the next morning, there was a crisp dollar bill.

I missed her! I needed another tooth fast.

I checked every tooth in my mouth. I checked every tooth in Henry’s mouth. I

even checked every tooth in the cat’s mouth. Nothing loose.

Then I got an idea. Grandma.

At night Grandma pops her fake teeth out and plops them in a glass of water

next to her bed. Yuck!

I crept into her room as she snored and plucked the teeth from her

cup.

They felt lumpy under my pillow. Maybe they would help me stay awake.

Nope. I missed the Tooth Fairy again! Grandma’s teeth were gone, two more

dollars in their place.

“Have you sheen my teet?” Grandma asked when I came into the kitchen. “I

looked, but I can’t pind dem anywhere.”

She dunked a piece of toast in her tea to make it mushy. I had to get her teeth

back! I ran upstairs and counted my Tooth Fairy money. Could I buy them back?


Dear Tooth Fairy,

There was a mistake. I need my teeth back.

Here’s your money.

Your friend,

Mary


But the Tooth Fairy doesn’t collect notes…

I trudged back downstairs. Out jumped Henry.

“Raar! I’m a goblin!” he shouted, showing his costume

to Grandpa. His grin revealed a mouthful of yellow, plastic fangs.

I smiled slyly.

“Only babies wear wax teeth,” I taunted. “I could take them off your hands if

you want.”

“No way. Go buy your own.”

Not a bad idea, except I needed to pay off the fairy.

“Please, Henry! I’ll make your bed for a week.”

Henry shook his head and grinned.

I was desperate. I dragged him into the hallway so Grandpa

couldn’t hear us.

“Henry,” I whispered. “This is an emergency! I took Grandma’s teeth and gave

them to the Tooth Fairy. Now I need to buy them back. I need your teeth to get the

Tooth Fairy to come.”

“You’re in big trouble!” Henry howled.

He didn’t need those plastic teeth. He was already a creep!

“I’ll let you go trick or treating with me,” I pleaded.

“And half your candy.”

I grimaced. “Fine.”

As Henry handed over his teeth Grandpa shuffled by. I smiled sweetly at him

and ran to my room.

That night I placed the letter under my pillow with the money and Henry’s

fangs. The next morning there was a tooth all right. My old lost tooth! Didn’t she

know I meant Grandma’s teeth?

I put my old tooth and a bunch of candy corn under my pillow with a new

letter.

Dear Tooth Fairy,

Thanks for returning my tooth, but I meant my Grandma’s teeth.

I borrowed them without asking. Now all she can eat is mushy stuff.

You never have to give me money again if you bring hers back!

Thanks a lot,

Mary


I hope the Tooth Fairy makes exchanges.

A rustling noise woke me. It was dark, and I felt a lump under my pillow.

Grandma’s teeth!

I rushed into the hallway, colliding with Grandpa.

“What’s that you got there?” he pointed.

Then I burst into tears and blabbed the whole story.

“I just wanted to meet the Tooth Fairy!“ I sniffled.

Grandpa patted my arm comfortingly, “I’ll just give these teeth back to

your Grandma. I don’t think she’ll be too upset. She knows how tricky that

fairy can be. Was that all that was under your pillow?”

I rushed back to look. My Tooth Fairy money!

I heard Grandpa call out, “You and Henry go easy on the candy. It isn’t good

for your you-know-what.”

I think Grandpa may know what he’s talking about.