Frankie the Fox and the Twig with Soft Bristles: A Story About Hygiene
Once upon a time, in a bustling forest filled with towering trees and chirping birds, lived a playful little fox named Frankie. Frankie had fur as orange as a sunset, a bushy tail that swished with excitement, and a grin that could melt the frostiest morning. Frankie loved exploring the forest, chasing butterflies, sniffing out juicy berries, and rolling in patches of soft dirt.
One sunny afternoon, Frankie raced through the trees, his nose twitching at the delicious smell of… blueberry pie! He followed the scent to a cozy clearing, where a kind badger named Ms. Beatrice was taking a warm pie out of her stone oven.
Beatrice was known for her delicious desserts and love for teaching, so young animals often came to her for advice.
‘‘Hello, Frankie!’’ Beatrice greeted him with a smile. ‘‘Would you like a slice of freshly baked blueberry pie?’’
Frankie’s eyes sparkled. ‘‘Oh please, Ms. Beatrice!’’ he exclaimed.
Beatrice chuckled and handed him a warm slice on a plate. Frankie gobbled it up in seconds, his tail wagging with delight. ‘‘That was the best pie ever!’’ he declared, his muzzle stained a bright purple from the berries.
Beatrice ruffled his fur. ‘‘I’m glad you enjoyed it, Frankie. But now you have a little bit of pie all over your face.’’
Frankie swiped at his muzzle with his paw, leaving a smudge of purple.
‘‘Oops,’’ he said, feeling a little embarrassed.
‘‘Don’t worry, sweetie,’’ Beatrice said. ‘‘Taking care of ourselves is just as important as having fun! Let’s go freshen you up.’’
Beatrice led Frankie to a riverbank. She dipped a soft washcloth in the cool water and gently wiped the blueberry stains from his face. ‘‘Brushing your teeth after a sweet treat is also very important to make sure you have healthy teeth and fresh breath,’’ she explained, handing him a tiny twig with soft bristles at one end.
Frankie tilted his head, confused. ‘‘Fresh breath? What’s that?’’
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Think about your morning and bedtime routine. Do you remember to brush your teeth every day? Can you ask a grown-up to help you make
sure your smile is sparkling clean and ready for the day (or night) ahead? Why do you think it’s important to brush your teeth? (This question connects the story directly to readers’ own experiences and prompts them to take action towards good dental hygiene.)