RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34138, 27 April 1976, Page 30

RANDOM REMINDER

THE TOOTH FAIRY

It was the end of the Christmas holiday period when many folk were on the move towards home. The streets of Wellington had been interesting enough but the air was warm and as the day wore on the family began to think with pleasure of the comforts of the ferry. As well as the atmosphere of bustle, and the usual conjecture as to whether the sailing would be rough or smooth, there would be comfortable beds. With due regard for the proprieties bookings had been made for two cabins — one to accommodate Grandma, mother and teenage daughter. the other for Dad and junior. Once aboard Dad, always ready to be helpful and considerate suggested that he put his very tired little

boy to bed while the women folk had a leisurely supper. This offer was gladly taken up. They took their places in the supper queue and thoroughly enjoyed the simple snack when it finally arrived. Pleasantly relaxed and rested, the mother began to think about her son and felt she must bid him goodnight with the usual kiss. As well as being sentimental she was also dedicated to the concept of tooth care in its various forms. A sense of direction, particularly on board ship had been denied this women but she finally found her cabin and took from her toilet bag her son’s toothbrush. Passing along a row of identical doors, her maternal zeal gaining momentum with every step, she burst into

a cabin saying "Goodnight darling, Mummy wants you to clean your teeth.” She will have to be very old before she forgets the sight of a complete stranger, a middle-aged man clad in blue and white pyjamas who reared up from a lower bunk and said said "Goodnight. My teeth are 0.K.” Her husband found her later, drifting in a state of shock, clutching a Mickey Mouse toothbrush. He was rather weary himself by now as he herded his females into their cabin, remarking to his wife that she’d better stay there till morning. Meanwhile, a few cabins away, the young son slept soundly, unblessed by the maternal kiss with his teeth in who knows what awful jeopardy.