Coreopsis, Queen of the Fairies was very sad. She was getting older. When she looked into the lily pond each morning and smiled at her reflection, she noticed that her tiny teeth were no longer like pretty, shiny pearls. They were a cloudy yellow colour and not very pretty at all. She decided she would stop smiling and anyone approaching her must not smile, for she would feel she must smile back and that would reveal her ugly, old teeth. The rule was cast.

Whilst the fairies respected their Queen and loved her very much, they began to feel that this new rule was making them all quite sad.

“I like to smile…” said Star Lily fairy “…and I don’t like this new rule at all.”

“So do we!” chorused the Blue Flax fairy triplets.

“Me too, I think it’s very unfair…” agreed Crimson Candytuft fairy “…

“…if this goes on forever, we shall all end up to be sad old fairies who look thoroughly miserable.”

Calypso Orchid fairy had been listening quietly in the corner. She came forward to join the group, fluttering her wings to get their attention.

“I think we should ask Fairy Helianthus for advice. I’m sure she could come up with something to help Queen Coreopsis - and all the rest of us - smile again.”

Fairy Helianthus was the oldest and wisest fairy in the land. She had lived, it seemed, forever and her skills and knowledge were known throughout the fairy kingdom.

The other fairies raised their eyebrows and clapped their hands, the best they could do to show their delight at this suggestion, with smiles not being allowed. And so it was agreed that Calypso Orchid fairy - because it had been her suggestion - would ask Fairy Helianthus for help. Without further delay the plan went into action.

“So you see Fairy Helianthus…” pleaded Calypso Orchid fairy

“…we really need your help. Queen Coreopsis is so unhappy and we fairies are too. Is there anything you can do?”

Fairy Helianthus listened intently, nodding all the time as Calypso Orchid fairy relayed the tale of woe.

“Hmmm…I understand the problem. Leave it with me and I will think about it overnight.”

Calypso Orchid thanked Fairy Helianthus and agreed to return next morning. Back with the other fairies, she told them what had happened and what she must do. Delighted and hopeful that something might just come of this, in unison they raised their eyebrows and clapped their hands to show appreciation.

Next morning, sitting cross legged on the ground, Calypso Orchid listened and watched as Fairy Helianthus explained the solution that might just help Queen Coreopsis.

“There is a wildflower, the wild teasel. It grows on a tall stalk and has a head of spikes with tiny white blossom at the top.

Present this to Queen Coreopsis and suggest to her that each morning when she goes to the lily pond, she dips the spikes in the

water and rubs them up and down on her teeth. It is my belief that this action, repeated every day, could help reduce the cloudy

yellowness and over time, return her teeth to the pretty, shiny pearls they once were.”

Calypso Orchid fairy’s eyes were wide with delight as she was handed three stems of the wild teasel wildflower.

“Take these to your Queen and advise her as I have said…” continued Fairy Helianthus

“Plant them, grow more, share with all the fairies and one day, smiles will return.”

Calypso Orchid fairy went back and presented the wild teasel wildflower to Queen Coreopsis. With all the fairies gathered around, she retold word for word, the advice given by Fairy Helianthus. Queen Coreopsis was pleased.

“Fairy Helianthus is wise and can always be trusted to give good advice. We shall do as she suggests.”

Before very long, Queen Coreopsis lost the cloudy yellowness from her teeth. She could once again look into the lily pond each morning and see the pretty, shiny pearl smile she had missed so much. The rule of no smiling was lifted. Calypso Orchid fairy was hailed a hero for her suggestion to ask advice from Fairy Helianthus and they all smiled happily ever after.

And so it was that down through the years, the fairy story of the wild teasel wildflower with its spikes and white blossom developed and evolved into the everyday item we all know and use every day - the toothbrush.