Daring Scoots

The chilly room was slowly illumined by a golden beam of pure sunlight, which cascaded through the window and immediately warmed the air. The bright morning rays prompted a young filly, tangled amidst vibrant afghans and bedsheets, to emerge from her tranquil slumber. Smooth orange hooves rubbed somnolent eyes as Scootaloo let out a tremendous yawn to shame a lion. In an attempt to extricate herself from her covers, the sleepy filly rolled out of bed and onto the floor. Groaning, Scootaloo shook away the last vestiges of enervation and stood up.

Scootaloo could not recall the last occasion she had felt so thoroughly rested. Now that the sun was up and the day had begun, Scootaloo began to bounce with excitement at the prospect of finally earning her long sought-after cutie mark. Today’s my day, she asseverated to herself with the confidence of a camel.

After brushing her cerise mane and checking her wings for broken feathers, Scootaloo trotted downstairs to fix herself some breakfast. Halfway through a bowl of steamed oats, Scootaloo heard a knock on her front door. She hopped down from her stool and bounded down the hallway to greet her visitor.

Just as she expected, her elderly neighbor and informal caretaker Knit Stitch stood in the entrance waiting to greet her.

“Mrs. Stitch!” Scootaloo’s bright eyes radiated with the mutual amity the two ponies shared. She took a deep breath, and then exclaimed, “Mrs. Stitch, I made us both some steel cut oats and I was thinking we could eat them right now and then I was just wondering, could I maybe meet Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle and go crusading later on, ‘cause you know it’s only a matter of time ‘till one of us gets our cutie mark, and I really think today is the day, you know?” Scootaloo’s ebullient fusilade of conversational ramblings faded as the filly gasped for breath upon her doorstep.

Knit Stitch smiled fondly at her young charge. With her knobbly knees, sagging cheeks, and bony frame, the elderly pony appeared frail and debilitated from her many years of fulfilling life. However, Scootaloo knew that there was plenty of vigor left in her caretaker. Certainly, not many senior ponies would have taken responsibility for a newly orphaned filly, even if she happened to be the neighbor’s kid. But now, Knit Stitch couldn’t imagine life without this exuberant orange filly to brighten her every day.

Taking her chance to respond while Scootaloo was still winded, Knit Stitch shook her head with comical confusion. “Scootaloo, I don’t know how you can act so surprised to see me considering that I show up for breakfast every day. And of course you may play with your friends, after all your chores are completed.”

Scootaloo stared back at Knit Stitch’s lustrous pearl flank and groaned. “Aw, maaaan. I hate doing chores.” She flopped on the ground and covered her eyes with both forelegs, eyes peeking out with a secret grin.

Knit Stitch rolled her eyes. “Hush, child, it won’t take you but fifteen minutes to water the plants and maybe tidy up that messy room of yours!” But she could see that Scootaloo was feeling too silly to behave at her behest. “Tell you what kiddo, we can talk more after breakfast. After all, you need plenty of fuel if you’re going to be adventuring with your friends all day.”

Scootaloo zipped back inside, followed by the quiet clop clop of the elder’s hooves on the smooth wood floor. Today was going to be special, she was sure of it.