Lost tooth

Eric lost a tooth the other day. He was proudly showing off his new smile to Mari, our Japanese language tutor, when she asked him about our American custom regarding lost teeth. Eric happily waxed on about the tooth fairy, a story Mari had never heard.

She said the custom in Japan is to stand at an open window and if an upper tooth was lost, the tooth is tossed down to the ground. If a lower tooth was lost, then one must toss the tooth up; she said it is particularly good to get it on the roof. Tossing the tooth the correct way is very lucky.

Eric quickly decided to put his tooth under his pillow when he realized that the Japanese custom did not involve cash.