*** The Tooth Fairy Russian Style

 

 

 

My favorite Russian student and I were talking about what happens when you lose a tooth as a child. I told him the American way of celebrating this rite of passage.  When you lose a tooth, you put it under your pillow--and the next morning you find that the tooth fairy has left you some money. I used to get a dollar (which used to be on par with or better than European money but is worth only two-thirds of a Euro now).  Anyway, then my Russian student told me what happens when you lose a tooth in Russia:

My Student: You take your baby tooth and throw it up in the attic.  Then a mouse comes and takes the tooth and gives you an even better tooth--the permanent tooth that comes in later.

Me: You mean, you don’t get money?

My Student:  This is a Russian tooth fairy, not an American one.

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By the way, all good things come to an end.  So one time my daughters either caught me being the tooth fairy or just figured it out :

One of my daughters:  Mom. you’re the tooth fairy, aren’t you?

Me: Uh...yes.

One of my daughters:  Oh...

Me: But I am THE tooth fairy.  I mean, I’m the tooth fairy for all children around the world!  That’s my other job.

One of my daughters: Bullshit, Mom.


End of Conversation.

Comments

[Ilene Springer]

Thanks, Michael--I'm glad you liked it!

Ilene

[Michael Bregman]

Very clever way of explaining what is both a cultural and social trait in our various countries....pointing out our similarities and differences.