A child found that a milk tooth had come uprooted. When he asked his mother what it was, she told him the story of the tooth fairy. She asked him to place the tooth under his pillow at night. “A fairy will come and take away the tooth and replace it with a gift you wish for before you fall asleep”.
The excited child began to discuss his wish list. To his mother's consternation, expensive things were on his long list. Carefully, she explained to her son that the fairy can only grant those gifts she can afford to buy.
If gifts are very expensive and the fairy cannot afford to buy them, then she would buy a gift of her own choice instead of the one wished for.
The child did not want to lose out on the opportunity of making a wish and getting a gift. So he decided on a gift that his mother approved of as that way, he would at least get something of his choice.
Once his mother approved the gift that the fairy could afford, the child was so excited and confident that he felt a sense of achievement.
That day with excited mind he prepared to go to bed on time. Innocent and trusting, he was full of hope. He went to sleep, thinking of the wonderful 'surprise' that awaited him the next day. The thought of showing it to his friends and sharing the excitement filled him with joy.
The next morning, when the child woke up, to his great surprise and excitement he found the gift that he had wished for. He could not stop smiling. This reinforced his faith in his mother's words.
Could he now wish for more? What if he were willing to give up all his teeth, one by one, in return for all the things he dreamt of having?
He asked his mother who reminded him gently that fairies do not like greedy children. Didn't he know that fairies visit and shower with gifts only those children who are relatively good, who listen to what their parents, teachers and other elders tell them?
And also pay attention to school work, and take loving care of younger ones. Who avoid telling lies, do not fight or deface property, especially public property, and who do not litter the streets.
The child hung on to every word his mother uttered. Yes, he would try and live up to the fairy's expectations. Maybe if he were really good, he could wish and get something really big.
When the child became an adult, he had made a name for himself in his chosen field of study. He had great career opportunities that enabled him to earn high salary. In fact, he now had the means to fulfill many of his desires.
The realisation hit him that, in fact, his mother, through the fairy and other myths and fables, had played a pivotal role in motivating him as a child.
Myths and fables, fairy tales and legends- and the way they are told to us or interpreted - have played an invisible but important role in shaping our lives.
Small things can bring about big changes. Even the world of make-believe can help spread hope and cheer.