Dental hygiene necessities. (Image pilfered from here.)

Extra Whitening strikes a happy pose. (Image borrowed from here.)

It was a cold and rainy night in the land of Dental Hygeine. The toothpaste donor sites and bars were closing down, and slightly deflated tubes began to stumble down the streets to their homes. The Crest family crawled into their tubes, and Extra Whitening and her brother Anti Cavity asked for a goodnight story. Their mother, Tartar Control, sighed as she sat down. She and her husband had been planning to go to the Arm and Hammer night club for an hour or so, but that could wait. "Tell the one about the toothbrush," said Anti, and Extra agreed. So Tartar began...

"Once upon a time in a faraway land, past the braces and the dentures, there lived a community of toothbrushes. Everyone was happily awaiting the day that would bring the union of the Great Blue Toothbrush of the Special Bristles to Lady Lilac of the Long Handles. It was to be a very joyous occaision, long awaited by both families. And who could be happier than the betrothed! They spent all of their time together, walking Canine Row and promanading across the Twelve Year Molars. They planned to spend the rest of their lives devoted to educating the young toothbrushes in proper hygiene technique.

"Unfortunately, there was a very dark side of town that harbored some very vicious brushes. They were never talked of, but everyone knew they were there. Long ago there had been an argument that split the Royal family, one brush deciding that he was an individual, and refusing to serve the greater purpose of cleaning teeth. Now, a descendant of that rogue, the Black Handle of Darkness, continued to lead innocent brushes astray to do his bidding. It so happened that he was planning to overthrow the Cleansing Monarchy, of which Great Blue was King, on the very day of the supposed wedding.

'On the said day, as the King stepped out into his courtyard, Black Handle was watching. As Great Blue began to stroll among the trees, Black Handle's henchmen jumped out and accosted him. a great struggle ensued, but Great Blue was subdued and carried off. He was taken to Black Handle's lair, where that michievous fiend had repared for the downfall of the King.

"As soon as Lady Lilac heard that Blue hadn't been seen, she began to worry. Rumors spread quickly, and by high noon everyone knew of he trouble and feared the worst. Guards were sent out in search of his Highness, but none could find the least trace of him. As all began to despair, a brush so young he had not yet grown his second set of bristles, asked to see the Lady. He had seen the henchmen on their way to the castle, and he had seen them reappear with something in tow. Lady Lilac immediately realized what was up, and dispatched a great army to wipe out Black Handle once and for all.

"Great Blue had been left in a dark cell. He was cold and tired and hungry, but he dared not sleep for he knew that he would soon be put to death. Straining against sleep, he caught noises approaching. He thought surely that was the end, and decided to go out nobely. But hark! a voice caught his ear, and he recognized it as belonging to his one love. With a shout of joy, they were reunited. The Lady had refused to let the soldiers go alone, and they had easily out numbered Black Handle's troops.

"The lovers were married, and the little boy's family was raised to nobility. The townspeople rejoiced and lived peacefully under their new rulers, and no one was ever bothered by Black Handle again." Tarter finished, just as her children fell asleep, and she crept out of the room.