I have an extra tooth. It got to be called a "rake tooth" at school. Every time I smiled they pointed to it. "Look at that rake! can I borrow it to comb my hair to get rid of the lice?" I stopped smiling after that. I felt doomed. I held a grudge against those with regular teeth. They even accused me to my face, "It's because you don't brush your teeth. we toothbrushes get our teeth evenly worn."
One day, dad asked me, "Why aren't you smiling these days?
I replied, "Why do I have to smile, Daddy?
"It's smiling brightens up your face. Smiling makes you look cute."
"But once I smile, I look ugly."
"Why?" He was so surprised. "Who told you that?"
"Nobody. But I know it's ugly, really very ugly."
"I think it's cute. Let me tell you this. Your smile is cuter than anybody's."
"But how come it's cute, with that extra tooth?"
" Oh " Dad laughed. "Now I see! But I find it cute. It make your smile different from your friends' smiles. You should be proud of it. There's something different about every kid. With some it's their strange eyes. With others it's an unusual nose, or maybe a finger. Just look and you'll see. You'll learn a lot of secrets about the people around you.