The denouement of the Toilet and the Toothbrush:
“They say a leopard can never change its spots, and it is true in a physical sense they cannot, and yet…. Most know this old saying is just a metaphor. Looking back now it was not Goldie’s fault she was horrid. Being born beautiful is such a double-edged sword. (27) It undoubtedly confers many advantages; people are full of praise and admiration; many will desire to be close beside a beautiful thing; some want to “own” you; some will offer and give you their world. It is true that Goldie was all these to people she met. It was for her however, not a good start in life. In her factory where she was made, she was one of only two golden brushes ever fashioned out of pure gold. Everyone in the toothbrush factory admired her, praised and loved her. And by the time she was to leave the factory she already had a personality that had become, shall we say, ‘spoiled.’ She became self-centred, narcissistic, in love more with herself and her opinions, and over conscious of her powers to control everyone around her. Slowly she became intolerant of anyone who did not express immediate adoration of her; reverted in such cases to be horrid and often a cruel bully. You could say her personality had been stained by excessive praise, and for her, beauty became a real tragedy in her life. But then, sometimes in life we are offered second chances. Goldie had been quite shocked by her treatment at nearly being washed away; the thought of almost living in a sewer shocked her to her core being. And thus, she realised, and might we say just in time, it was all her own fault.
Goldie's saving grace (28) was that she was not only gifted with beauty, but a sharp wit and an intelligent mind. The moment Pendulina and the others rescued her something snapped deep within her. We all after all, have a deep desire to be wanted and genuinely loved, it just needs the right circumstances to bring these feelings to the fore. Goldie’s redemption was this moment, she decided to change, to turn over a new leaf (29) in her life, and become the person that she always could be, before she was spoiled. From that day forth she treated everyone with kindness, with an unselfish and generous heart. She would play for hours with the duck pulling him round the bath with great joy and laughter. The boat, much to his very own surprise, grew to love her deeply, especially after she asked him about what he liked to do best. “Best?” said the boat, then he shouted, “Pirates!” Goldie smiled delightedly saying, ”I love playing pirates too!” And so, she would stand on his bow and together they would fight many imaginary battles of pirates attacking them both, she, the golden prize like a siren calling them on, to be saved by her gallant boat. Goldie even took upon herself the task of cleaning the shampoo bottle of any rogue drips after being used, insisting it was her task to do every night. And finally, her and Pendulina became the best of friends, and she derived great pleasure teaching Pendulina to dance gracefully like her, but with much fun and laughter as they twizzled and twirled on the toilet seat, entertaining all their friends.
Pendulina one night said as she snuggled up to Goldie in their glass case, “I want to say something,” and she looked in Goldie’s eyes directly and smiled, “You are one of the nicest people I know.” Goldie returned the smile, but could not stop tears forming in her eyes, tears of grateful happiness, for she knew now she was loved, and not just for her beauty. Pendulina saw the tears and guessing her thoughts said, “Goldie your beauty will always be a gift to you, will always get you looks of admirations and praise unbidden, but now your personality, the kind, loving and sweet personality you have, and the opening of your heart to others will be your avenue to true and loving friendships for all your life.” Goldie sighed with contentment at her friend’s words. Just as they were dropping off to sleep Pendulina said one more thing, addressed not only to Goldie, but to all the bathroom things, “I am so proud of Goldie. We must all be too and also set one thing straight. I recall an earlier phrase we heard and I feel ashamed as I almost accepted it as a given myself. (30) Understandably so, as it was expressed in more, shall I describe, ‘difficult’ times past. But it was a falsehood, in fact an error, albeit a commonplace error for many to make rooted in a metaphor passed down through the ages. Through Goldie we now know that leopards do and can change their spots, after all.” With these words and a smile on her face, Pendulina fell asleep.