(particle equivalent to 啊 after a vowel, expressing surprise or doubt)
呀
=
口
+
牙
:
Maud Younger (y) has an aching wisdom tooth. She attached a string to it and stands on top of the ashram (a5). At the other end of the string she attached a mandarin (口). When she throws the mandarin down the lighthouse, the string will pull out her aching wisdom tooth. It will hurt a little, so Maud is sure to say "哎呀" when the tooth is pulled.