Birth of a Mad Libber

“I’m late!” those words echoed throughout the apartment. “I’m late, I’m late!”

Rejoice Enigma, a green colt with a flowing electric blue mane, born and raised in Fillydelphia. However, above all, he saw himself as the next big thing in literature. Being an earth pony, he was always thought less of. After all, how could a lowly earth pony possible do anything besides farm work? This never brought down Rejoice; he knew that he had a talent, even if his flank said otherwise.

Rejoice was hurriedly running down the road that led into town, stopping only to catch his breath momentarily. He had a meeting with one of the biggest book publishers in the city today, this was his big chance.

Rejoice had the ultimate dream of having his stories read by millions, each reader with a smile on their faces. He told stories of Elves and Trolls that fall in love, Dragons that are part-time DJs, and even humans that dress as ponies! (Obviously, he had quite the imagination).

As he reached the door of the gigantic office building where the publisher awaits, he checked the clock to see that he was indeed late, but only by a couple minutes. “I really hope he’s still there” Rejoice muttered under his breath. He opened the door and saw a receptionist sitting behind a desk, popping her bubblegum loudly.

“Can I help you?” she asked monotonously. “Um, y-yes, I’m here to see Mr.… Quill?” Rejoice replied hesitantly. The receptionist looked down at the list of appointments and then back to the green stallion.

“Are you Rejoice Enigma?”

“Yes, ma’am”.

“Mr. Quill will see you now.”

“Ok, thank you very much”.

Rejoice’s face seemed calm, but his heart was a speed bag being demolished by a boxer. He trotted carefully down the corridor until he reached Room 104, Inked Quill: Publishing. He rapped the door with his front hoof and quickly received a stern “Come in!” from within the room. He pushed open the door and headed into the chilly room.

Inked Quill, an older Pegasus, a caramel-color coat, darker brown mane, very well dressed, complete with spectacles. He was the type of stallion that you KNEW he was rich.

“Have a seat, sir.” Mr. Quill stated.

“Thank you, sir” Rejoice responded.

“You’re late, you know.”

“Yes, I know, I, uh, got a bit lost on the way here…”

Quill’s eyes were glued to Rejoice the entire time. “Hm, quite. It’s in the past now. So, you’re here about your book, I suppose?”

Rejoice gulped. “Y-yes.”

“I went over it, and I have a few questions about the subject matter”.

Oh Celestia, he hates it, I can tell.

“Hm, where to start…” Quill said glancing down at his notes. “First off, the main character in this story is… an elf?”

“Yes, that is correct” Rejoice said as sweat was beginning to form on his brow.

“What even is that?” Quill replied in a spiteful tone.

Rejoice’s heart sank. “Th-They’re horses with pointed... um... y’know... ears, and they’re... well... mythical”. His words were having trouble escaping his mouth.

“So, you want to have a serious story about something that belongs in a nursery rhyme?”

“Well, there are plenty of stories about characters that are known for being ‘Childish’.” Rejoice retorted.

“This is true…”

Finally, Rejoice felt like Quill was on his side.

“However,” Quill said, interrupting Rejoice’s thought, “These stories you submit, they make no sense at all.”

“What do you mean? They make perfect sense!” At this point, Rejoice was more than hurt, and it showed on his face.

“You start one idea, but it goes nowhere, eventually just fizzling out.”

This was true, Rejoice was type of pony who would start something, but then get another great idea and just transfer over without finishing his last one.

“We just can’t have that type of writing here; we need competent writing, not your scattered thoughts about some mythical horse”.

“What did you just say?” Rejoice’s temper flaring.

“Oh, I didn't mean anything by it, just that I’m sure that this is the best that your tiny Earth Pony brain could do.”

Rejoice was 110% done with Quill. “Ok sir, if that’s the way you feel, then I promise you've seen the last of this stupid Earth Pony”. Rejoice then walked right out of the office, out of the building, and trotted right back to his house.

“That’s it, I can’t take this anymore.” Rejoice lamented. This is a unicorn and Pegasus town, I just don’t belong, but where to go? Rejoice then remembered, a town where anyone could go for a fresh start, Ponyville. He quickly packed his bags and left his old life behind.

He walked down the main road for days, stopping to eat at local restaurants and sleep on park benches. He knew that this may be rough, but it would get better from here on out. After a week of travel, his legs were about to give out when he looked up and saw it, the sign that invigorated him like none other.

Welcome to Ponyville.