As a second grade teacher, I see lots of tooth pulling! At the first sign of the slightest wiggle, I’ve lost all chances to gain even an ounce of the “tooth puller’s” attention. That tooth has it all. The determination, the relentless pursuit of the tooth, and THE BLOOD!!! It’s amazing how much power one little tooth can hold. And when that tooth finally breaks loose…all of heaven rejoices. Such relief, such joy, and a gaping hole in their expectant smile. The tooth is a treasure and promise of good things to come and they guard it with their life until it reaches it’s destination…the pillow.
When I came across The Tooth, I was captured by the way this little girl so easily parted with her tooth. I have never seen any student offer to give their newly pulled tooth away, but I have certainly seen wailing when one was dropped and unable to be found. Knowing the value of her tooth, she willingly gives it away to a homeless man she notices outside the dentist’s office. This is a precious story of “seeing” people and meeting their needs with compassion and kindness. The story can be seen and read by Annette Bening on http://www.storylineonline.net/thetooth.
reading, writing, and compassion 