Jack lived in a big, close-knit family in a small town together with his mum, dad, and nan. The boy was very active, so all day long he'd be out and about with his mates — playing footy, riding his bike, running down to the creek for a swim and a splash about.
Every time it came round to lunch or tea, Mum would have to spend ages calling the little bloke in to eat, especially if Mum had made soup or stew — there was just no way Jack could bring himself to love this healthy and filling tucker. But there were exceptions, times when the boy would drop his games and race home. This happened whenever Nan came back from the city and brought her grandson treats — chocolate bars, lollipops, and boiled lollies.
Well, one day, one fine day when Jack was out with his mates, Nan returned from yet another trip. The little fella knew that every Saturday, Nan would definitely treat him to something sweet.
Without finishing his game and spotting Nan getting off the bus, Jack bolted towards her, shouting:
Nanny, my favourite, did you bring me something yummy and sweet?
Nan replied with a smile on her face:
Of course, my dear grandson, I've brought you chocolate bars and lollies, I've stocked up for a whole week. But you can't eat too many of them, otherwise you'll get a tummy ache and your teeth will go bad quickly.
But that wasn't to be. That very evening, Jack snuck into the kitchen behind his parents' backs and quietly stuffed a whole heap of lollies down his shirt. He settled himself comfortably in his soft, warm bed and started scoffing them one after another. He ate all the lollies and fell asleep.
And the boy had a very strange but interesting and colourful dream. He was running across a green field with his mates and suddenly, turning around, he saw a beautiful palace with bright signs. His friends ran past and disappeared without noticing, but Jack hung back, becoming very curious about what was inside this palace.
Slowly approaching the palace, he saw multicoloured gates covered with the boy's favourite lollies, and he felt drawn there as if by magic. Gathering up all the sweets and swallowing them straight away, Jack decided to venture further — what if there was something else tasty to find.
Suddenly he saw a clown standing in the centre of the palace. On his back he carried an enormous bag, and to all the children who approached he handed out a big lolly. Without thinking twice, Jack decided to go up — after all, he was a child too and they'd definitely give him some sort of sweet.
Seeing the boy, the clown laughed and said in a cheerful voice:
And who's this little one we have here? What's your name?
Jack.
The boy answered.
And who do you live with, Jack? Where are your parents?
At home — Mum, Dad, and Nan.
Jackie, do you like sweets?
Of course I do, all kids love lollies and chocolate.
Well, we play a very interesting game here with all the children. Don't you want to play with us?
Of course I do, it's really fun here.
Jack replied.
If you want to get a lolly as a present, you have to recite a poem, sing a song, or do a dance for us. Are you ready?
The clown explained the rules enthusiastically.
I'm in, we learned lots of songs and poems at kindy.
Jack answered eagerly.
After reciting his favourite poem, the little bloke received a big lollipop as a present, the kind he loved most of all, and decided to have a bit of a look around — maybe he'd see something else interesting. Everything around him sparkled, bright shop signs advertising sweets beckoned the little boy, but he had his lolly and decided just to wander about. Suddenly he saw a little boy sitting by a door.
Jack went up to him and asked:
G'day, I'm Jack. What are you doing here? Has something happened? Why are you so sad?
Hello. I'm sad because my tooth hurts really badly. Mum's about to take me to the doctor, and I'm really scared.
The little boy answered.
What happened?
Jack asked.
I ate too many lollies, thought they were good for you and tasty. Turns out lollies are bad for you and they can rot our teeth.
Don't talk rubbish. Lollies aren't bad for you at all, they're the most healthy and delicious food. And we don't need stews, soups, and rissoles!
Jack protested.
Jack got angry and walked on. Gradually his big lollipop got smaller and smaller, and finally he finished it.
What should I do now?
Jack thought and set off in search of lollies. Suddenly he saw the clown he'd met just recently.
Delighted, the boy ran up to him and said:
I've finished my big lolly, can I have another? I'll sing you a really beautiful song.
Of course you can.
The clown replied.
Jack sang a song and received an enormous chocolate bar.
Unwrapping it straight away, the little bloke walked on.
And suddenly he saw a boy and a girl sitting by the swings, crying.
What are you doing here? Why are you crying? Has something happened?
Yes, our teeth hurt, and our mums are about to take us to the doctor, so we're scared.
Oh no, don't tell me it's from lollies!
Jack protested.
Yes, yes, exactly from lollies and chocolate.
The children shouted in unison.
Oh, you lot are getting on my nerves. Everyone keeps saying the same thing — you can't eat lollies, your teeth will hurt. It's all lies!
Jack yelled even louder, turned around, and ran away from them.
And so, having finished his lolly, Jack felt his tooth beginning to hurt too, more and more.
Were those kids telling the truth? Are lollies really that bad for you? — Jack wondered.
The boy decided to head home so the pain wouldn't get worse. But with each passing minute, his tooth began to hurt more and more. And there on his path he met that same clown again.
Jack rushed over to him and said:
Clown, help me, tell me why little kids' teeth hurt?
Don't you know? Little boys and girls can't eat lots of lollies and chocolate.
The clown said, surprised.
Then why did you give them to me if you're so smart?
Because until children work it out for themselves, they'll never believe their parents, nans, and pops. But when your tooth hurts, you understand straight away that eating too many sweets is bad for you. That's how I help little kids understand this.
And then Jack woke up. Fortunately his teeth were perfectly healthy, but the boy was so frightened they'd start hurting that he immediately ran to the kitchen, gathered up all the lollies, and gave them to the grown-ups.
