But where does the tradition of the little mouse, well known to children and parents, come from?
For generations, the little mouse has punctuated our childhood. Well known to young and old, this little animal continues to survive through the ages and continues in family traditions. The principle is simple: when a child loses a milk tooth during childhood, he must place it under his pillow. The little mouse then passes in the night, collects the little tooth and replaces it with a coin. All around us, in European countries, every family does the same, sometimes replacing money with another present.
But do you know where this practice of the little mouse comes from, which should reassure the little ones after the loss of a tooth, which can be a violent event in childhood? The origins of the Little Mouse can be found across various cultures and folk tales, in different times. While the date of creation of this tradition remains unclear, it could date back to Greek antiquity, where it was customary to place a baby tooth under the pillow in exchange for a coin. A similar practice was also seen among the Vikings as well as various medieval European cultures.
However, the contemporary form of the little mouse, as we know it today, is mainly rooted in French customs. In the 17th century in France, young schoolchildren handed over their fallen baby teeth to a benevolent mouse named “The Good Little Mouse”. According to French tradition, this little altruistic creature used milk teeth to build its castle, thus symbolizing growth.
But the tooth fairy also has counterparts all over the world. Across the Atlantic, the tradition comes from a story called The Tooth Fairy, which enjoyed notable popularity in the early 20th century in the United States. In this adaptation, the Tooth Fairy exchanged children’s baby teeth for monetary compensation. This reinterpretation quickly won the hearts of children around the world and became a widespread custom.
Over the decades, the figure of the little mouse has evolved to become a symbol of generosity, innocence and the transition to adulthood. Successive generations continue this tradition by encouraging young people to place their baby tooth under the pillow in the hope of receiving a small reward in the morning. A simple practice, but one that once an adult, we can remember with nostalgia.
The Little Mouse remains today a collection of popular tales and cultural traditions, which continues through the ages. Although its precise origins may give rise to debate and speculation, one certainty remains: we would almost regret, as adults, not having any more teeth falling out!
