I hope you enjoy this story. This file is provided for your
convenience to be used only in your home or in your individual 
classroom.  This story, all or in part, may not be published, 
printed, or distributed in any form or on any web site without 
written permission.  Please keep this notice with this file.
Thanks and keep smiling!

Bob Tucker (oldcoach77@aol.com)
Grandpa Tucker's Rhymes and Tales (http://www.grandpatucker.com)

SAMMY AND THE FANG FAIRY

Poor Sammy snake began to fret
While eating a tasty Mousinet,
His right fang moved a little bit.
He felt it wiggle, then it quit.

Each day it moved a little more,
Becoming looser than before.
"I'll leave it alone," Sam would say,
But he couldn't keep his tongue away.

This little snake was filled with fear
As the time to lose that fang grew near.
His parents told him not to worry.
But Sammy was not in a hurry.

But still he pushed it to and fro,
As in his mind he said, Oh, No!"
His friends would always start a gigglin'
Each time they saw his fang a wigglin'.

So Sam was told by his brother, Sy.
Who was a real neat kind of guy,
"It's not all bad, although it's scary,
You'll get a gift from the ole Fang Fairy."

"The Fang Fairy is a real cool girl
With a friendly smile and a pretty curl.
She comes at night when you're in bed
And puts a present 'neath your head.

"When a baby fang leaves your face
A permanent fang soon takes its place.
It's not as bad as shedding skin,
Which we snakes do again and again.

"That thing is hanging by a thread
Just yank it out," his brother said.
But Sammy cried, "One thing is plain.
Nothing hurts me as much as pain."

He hoped that it would go away
He crawled and it would swing and sway.
The fang would move, he'd feel it grind.
That ickie, makes you shiver, kind.

Finally, came the fateful day,
At recess Sam went out to play.
They played a game called, "Throw and Crawl."
His buddy, Rollie, threw the ball.

It hit Sam's head with a solid bang
And suddenly he lost that fang.
It popped out on a big white stone
And looked so lonely all alone.

Across the playground came the shout,
"Hey! Sammy's fang is finally out!"
Sam was so glad that it was done,
That he gave Rollie a big "High One."

The teacher helped him pick it up,
They placed it in a tiny cup.
He was a happy little soul
When he got home and down his hole.

His mother gave her son a kiss,
The family hissed a "done good" hiss.
Then a special meal, frog casserole.
He ate real slow and cleaned his bowl.

At bedtime Sammy said his prayer,
And placed that fang with loving care,
Beneath the pillow on his bed ,
Which soon was covered by his head.

The moon was moving across the sky,
As Sammy blinked and closed each eye.
Then as he snored a small snake snore,
The Fang Fairy floated through the door.

She looked at Sammy for a while,
Then moved the pillow with a smile.
And softly, as she took the fang,
She sang a song. Here's what she sang.

"Tonight I'm very proud of you
For growing up is hard to do.
So in the morn when you arise
You'll find I left a small surprise."

So in the morning, I declare,
Sam found a shiny coin was there.
All day he did his fancy crawl
And didn't miss the fang at all.

		--Grandpa Tucker
		Copyright ©1999 by Bob Tucker
		oldcoach77@aol.com
		
Grandpa Tucker's Rhymes and Tales (http://www.grandpatucker.com)