Zack and his two candies

Zack loved candies. It was the joy of his life! Everyday, Zack would go to the basket in the living room and pick out two pieces of candy, nicely wrapped in crisp colourful foil. He loved to roll the sweet around in his mouth, letting it melt in his mouth. Zack never would bite the sweet. He wanted it to last as long as possible. Sweets were the most important to him.

It was time to go to the dentist. And Zack was pretty nervous about it. It was his first time. This year was a year of "first times" for him. First year in primary school, first brother, among others. He didn't know what to expect.

"Open up and say 'AHH'... "

Zack looked at the dentist and went, "ahhhh." He felt the sharp hook scraping, poking and moving all around his mouth. He daren't move. Mum said boys are brave and they don't cry, even when it was painful. Zack wanted to be a brave boy.

Finally, the dentist pushed a button and the chair resumed it's original upright position.

"Zack, do you know what's a cavity?" the dentist asked. Zack shook his head. This was the first time he heard the word. It sounded evil, like some of the words he knew.

The dentist explained it to Zack. It sounded a whole lot like his naggy english teacher. So Zack wasn't listening much until the dentist said, " You cannot eat any more sweets..."

Zack open his eyes in horror and disbelief. No sweets? He felt like the joker got the best of him.

"It might seem bad now, but next time when you're bigger, you will have teeth. And then you can eat all the things you want." the dentist smiled. "Besides, there are other good yummy things to eat."

"But why sir?" Zack asked, ever so hoping that the dentist would take back what he had told Zack.

"It's for your own good."

And so with those words ringing in his head, Zack went home feeling very sad. What he had always had, what he looked forward to everyday, what he wanted so badly when his tummy growled, his two sweets were now gone.

The next morning, the basket was in the living room Zack looked at it. He wanted it. He looked at it greedily and his mouth began to salivate. But he remembered what the dentist said. Especially the last line.

"It's for your own good."

Zack sighed. He walked to the kitchen to eat some bread. The bus was coming soon. It was time for school.

"Open you mouth and say 'AH' " the dentist scrapped, poked and moved the sharp hook between Zack's gums and teeth.

"Well, it looks good." The dentist said as he removed his gloves. "You didn't eat any sweets did you?"

Zack shook his head. He had a been a good boy for the past six months.

"I've got something for you." The dentist rolled his chair towards the table. He opend a box and reached in. Zack was curious. It wasn quite exciting. He was getting a present. Zack's heart started to beat faster.

"Take this," the dentist opened up his hands and it was two pieces of candy!

Zack could hardly believe his eyes. He was overwhelmed! At this point, Zack remember what
the dentist had said. He was glad he listened to him.

Zack looked at the sweets and this time it felt different. He didn't feel like he needed them. After six months without them, it was as if he loved them no longer. He still liked the taste, but it wasn't the same.

"I'll just take one sir," Zack smiled.