The recent loss of a baby molar in our household inspired some lively discussion about the Tooth Fairy.
“I don’t think the Tooth Fairy is real,” the toothless child remarked, to which I responded “Well I guess you won’t get any money then.” (This was in line with the stock answers my own parents gave in regard to my various inquiries about the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and Santa.)
The smaller child, still the holder of all his baby teeth, said “I don’t think it could be Mommy or Daddy, they never have any money.” The fact that we are typically bereft of any cash has apparently not been lost on him.
The next morning, the skeptical one awoke to find $5 stuffed into the container where once her baby molar had been. Money safe in hand, she now devised a sinister “experiment” in which they would discover the truth once and for all.
Knowing that her brother had a loose tooth, she advised him “When your tooth comes out, we won’t tell Mommy or Daddy. Just put it under your pillow because the Tooth Fairy should automatically know anyway. If you get money the next morning, then the Tooth Fairy is real.”
The wheels turned in his head for a minute while he processed the unspoken alternative result---“You won’t get any money and the Tooth Fairy isn’t real.” He looked pretty nervous about this; I wasn’t at all concerned, since I figured there was zero chance of either of them keeping a tooth-loss secret for even a brief period of time.
“YOU can do that experiment,” he told her flatly. Some truths are better left unknown, particularly in regard to cash prizes, candy, and presents.