Wrote this on the spur of the moment for a friend who forgot to deliver for the Tooth Fairy. And it was used to explain the lack of funds.
Thought you might like it.
The Tooth Fairy was about to leave for her rounds when she discovered that her wings wouldn’t start. She whipped out her Fairy Fone and dialed ELF (Emergency Lepidoptera Fixers) to come and jump start her wings. She was told that a technician would be there within the hour. Tooth Fairy sat and waited, making a cup of nettle tea while she waited. Nearly an hour later, the ELF technician arrived.
He “oohed” and “aahed” and prodded and lifted her wings this way and that way, making little “tut-tut” noises.
“What?!” said Tooth Fairy.
“Looks like you’ve got yourself some worn wings there, missy. When was the last time you had these wings serviced?”
“What does that matter to you?”
“Just saying that without regular servicing, seals wear out and wings lose tension and just don’t start.”
Tooth Fairy “humphed” and said, “Can you fix them?”
“I can, but not sure you’d get very far on them tonight. I can order some replacement wings, but they won’t be in until tomorrow. Seems like you’re grounded.”
Tooth Fairy “humphed” one more time, mumbled “Thanks” and stomped back inside to arrange new wings, her combat boots trailing snaky shoelaces.
And that’s why she didn’t arrive last night.
A Fullness in Brevity - Adam Byatt 