Hubert the Mule's First Day of School
My name is Hubert. I am a mule who lives in Ponyville with my mom and dad. My dad is a donkey named Donkeytello and my mom is a mare named Petunia. One day, I was having a breakfast of grass pancakes, toast, and juice, when my parents talked about my upcoming first day of school. My dad told me about how I would be the only mule there, but my mom told me about how ponies are loving and tolerant equines; herself as a good example. Dad added that if a donkey like him could by loved by a pony like mom, I would have no problem with the fillies. He can be embarrassing like that sometimes.
It’s with a lot of pride he would tell me about how he charmed mom the day they meet. His pick-up line was, and I quote, “You know what one’s greatest moment of destiny is? Some may think it’s when you get your cutie mark, but what I speak of extends beyond the boundaries of species. I speak of course about meeting your true love.” He looked her right in the eyes before adding: “See, this is a pretty great moment isn’t it?”
Mom would tell me about how she thought that was so funny. Apparently, a lot of fillies like funny colts. I like to think I have a good sense of humor, though I think I’ll start with making friends before all that. There’s plenty of time for fillies later, when I’m more mature. Either way, I was optimistic about going to pony school.
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On my first day of school, I was really excited. I put all my supplies in my backpack, ate breakfast, brushed my teeth, combed my mane, and headed off to the schoolhouse. Colts and fillies headed the same way seemed pretty surprised to see me going their way, even more so when I walked into the schoolhouse. I got funny looks and they whispered among themselves till Ms. Cheerilee came in and they became quiet, paying attention.
“Class, as you may have noticed, we have a new student today. He is rather unique, but I expect you’ll make him feel welcome here.” She called me up to introduce myself. I was so nervous standing in front of a group of ponies, all eyes on me. I’m sure some ponies feel this way too in this kind of situation.
“Hello, my name is Hubert and I’m a mule colt. I hope to have fun and make friends here, like anypony else. Oh, also to learn a lot.” I felt like adding something in for Ms. Cheerilee; she seems like such a nice teacher. As I made my way back to my seat, I noticed two fillies giving me a look like they really wanted to tell me something, but couldn’t during class. One had a magenta coat and her mane was violet with white streaks, and she wore a tiara; the other had a gray coat, her mane was streaks of lighter shades of gray, and she wore glasses and pearls. I’m sure my dad would tell me to appreciate the attention, but I wasn’t getting my hopes up that easily.
The lesson was on Equestrian geography, and I was genuinely fascinated with the diversity of places just in Equestria alone, and became more curious about the regions beyond. I knew about my own roots, but I could only guess at what it was like in griffin or dragon territory, much less other equines besides ponies and donkeys. I was so into the lesson I almost forgot about my classmates. When class ended I saw my opportunity to socialize.
A small group of ponies gathered around me to ask questions like how I got into a pony school, what my parents are like, how they got together. Not that differently from anypony else summed up my answers. The way I always saw it, the differences between ponies and the other equines aren’t really greater than the differences between the different kinds of ponies.
“Oh my Celestia, can you believe this?” the filly with the tiara said to her friend in the glasses, but loud enough for everypony to hear.
“I know; a donkey would have been weird enough but a mule?” She replied in equal volume and tone of superiority.
“Excuse me,” I told them, “You forgot to add ‘no offense’”. I was aware of the various derogatory phrases involving mules, but I learned firsthand that if a pony says one, they’ll look around to see if any mules are present and say “No offense” as way of apology. In that case, I’m supposed to say in response “None taken”.
The other ponies were surprised, like what I said was some kind of brave or even foolhardy act. A filly whispered in my ear to fill me in, though she did so with a noticeable lisp. Ignoring that, what she said was: “That’s Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. They’re mean bullies, and they usually target ponies without their cutie marks. I can’t imagine how much worse they’ll get with you.”
As the situation dawned on me, Diamond Tiara replied, “What if I mean to offend? Are you going to do anything about it, permanently-blank flank?”
I flashbacked to something my dad said about how I should stand up to a bully if confronted with one, so I dug at the ground with my forehoof and looked her straight in the eye. “Then I demand an apology.” The other ponies did a long ooh followed by a solitary “It’s on now”. I couldn’t tell if I intimidated or irritated her with that, but she was quick with a comeback.
“I don’t care if you beg me, so you can give up now. Though, you’re probably too stubborn; like a mule.” That was the oldest one in the book, so it wasn’t a big deal to me at that point.
“It’s just proper etiquette. You do have etiquette, don’t you?” I felt pretty confident in that one.
“Etiquette is for ponies, not some half-breed eyesore. Ugh, I can’t even imagine a pony so desperate they’d be with a donkey.” I was just about to lose it right there and start kicking, but a trio of fillies got in between us.
“You went too far this time, even for you. Back off.” Those words came from an earth pony filly with a grayish olive coat, amaranth mane, and a light brilliant crimson bow in said mane. At either side of her were a pegasus with a gamboge coat and cerise mane and a unicorn with a light gray coat and mane of mulberry and grayish rose streaks. All three had no cutie marks. I guessed these must be the ones who’ve been bullied before.
The pegasus interjected, “You’re not trying to pick a fight are you? That’s not smart.”
“Yeah!” The unicorn added. Knowing they were outnumbered and outmatched, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon backed up before then retreating.
“Whatever, we’re too cool for mule.” It occurred to me then that I forgot to bring sunglasses, but I guess I felt cool enough even without them. The trio turned to face me.
“Hi there. I’m Apple Bloom, and this is Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.” Looking at them, I found Apple Bloom to be the cutest. Maybe it was the bow or her accent or both. I don’t know. “You look pretty red in the face. You that mad?”
“Oh what, no I’m fine.” Thinking about it, I was probably blushing.
“I hope they didn’t give you a bad first impression.” Sweetie Belle said with concern.
“No, as far as I’m concerned, they don’t represent ponies well at all. Ponies are supposed to love and tolerate, and value friendship and harmony. In that sense, I’m already more pony then they are.”
“Well said there.” Scootaloo said with a smile. We continued to talk for a while after. They told me about their club: The Cutie Mark Crusaders. They do activities to try to get their cuties marks; must be nice to have that to look forward to. I mean, I’m sure I’ll figure out what I want to do anyway like anypony else, but it would be nice to get that level of certainty when it comes to your destiny.
Anyway, they said they have matching capes, a clubhouse, and they even have a fourth member starting a chapter in Manehatten: Apple Bloom’s cousin, Babs Seed. It would probably be nice to meet her too. The more the merrier after all. I would have continued longer but I had to get home.
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When I got home, my parents wondered why I took so long to get back. I told them I spent some time after class talking to friends. It took them a few seconds before they exclaimed in unison, “Friends!?” in pleasant surprise. I feel like I’m going to have a lot of fun from now on, especially when it comes to the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
Author's Note
Petunia: 
