I Love to Singaby Matthew PennChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 1There were only a few minutes left in the school day, meaning Miss Cheerilee still had time to talk. It was a lesson about the Equestrian monarchy she began once her students returned from lunch and recess. Most of the children drifted away from reality, eagerly watching the clock until the hour hand struck at three. One of the children, Sweetie Belle, had her attention drawn to a piece of paper with a pencil in her hooves. Not because she was writing notes. Sweetie was busy writing poetry. For some reason that she couldn’t fathom, she recently had the sudden urge to write poems whenever she had the time. However, she never realized how difficult it was to find words that rhyme with each other. One line in her poem had the word daffodil, but she didn’t know what word rhymes with daffodil, and she knew she just couldn’t make up words. Finally, it was nearly three o’clock, and Miss Cheerilee decided to let her class go. The children were quick to jump from their seats. At long last they were free for the weekend until the cycle begins again on Monday. Sweetie didn’t mind, though. A weekend was more than enough time to spend with her best friends while also working on her poetry skills. “Class, before you go I have something to tell all of you,” Miss Cheerilee said. The students stood in place and listened to what she had to say. “Two weeks from this Friday will be the night of the annual Ponyville Spring Talent Show. If you have any talent you’d like to show off, there is a signup sheet at the door. You can perform by yourself or in a group.” It was the most interesting news the children had heard all day. They blocked the doorway to sign their names on the sheet, and as Miss Cheerilee said, many wanted to performed their talents along with their good friends, and only a few others wanted to show off their skills as an individual. Sweetie Belle and her friends were excited for the news of the talent show as well. They didn’t know what they were going to do, but all three of them signed their names on the list. Sweetie Belle and her two friends, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, called themselves collectively The Cutie Mark Crusaders. They were formed during the autumn of their second grade year. Originally, their club was meant to help them find out what their special talents were so they could have their cutie marks appear on their flanks. Now that they’ve finally got their marks, their new mission is to help others figure out what their special talents are. The day Sweetie Belle recieved her cutie mark was the most important day of her life. During that time she was so excited that she tried to figure out a way to express her feelings. She thought it was the reason why she turned to poetry. As per usual every Friday afternoon, the Cutie Mark Crusaders made a stop at Sugarcube Corner for a pastry snack before they went home. The owners of the shop regarded them as their favorite customers, only because they always leave with smiles on their smeared faces. Pinkie Pie, the owners’ apprentice, gave them the usual: three tall glasses of strawberry and banana milkshakes. While Apple Bloom and Scootaloo talked about the day’s events, Sweetie Belle laid her notebook on the table and continued to write more poetry. She disregarded trying to find a rhyme for daffodil and began to write a poem about drinking her favorite milkshake with her best friends. It’s the easiest subject to a poem out of, she thought to herself. She wrote one line, then two, then the third line, and read it back to herself. Strawberry milkshakes Is fun to drink with best friends After school is done. It was at this moment that Sweetie realized she wrote a haiku. There was nothing wrong with haikus, but she was disappointed that it didn’t rhyme. She drew a huge X through the three lined poem and start over. She was so drawn into her attempts at creating poetry that she didn’t notice that her friends were calling her name. Sweetie looked up to see that Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were staring at her. “Oh… hi. What are we talking about?” she asked. “We were talking about the talent show,” Apple Bloom answered. “Weren’t you listening?” “Sorry, I was kind of busy with something.” Sweetie hid away her notebook while catching a glimpse of Apple Bloom shaking her head and Scootaloo giggling. “Working on your poetry again?” said Scootaloo. “There’s nothing wrong with doing something creative with your time,” Sweetie answered. “Anyway, getting back on the subject, are any of y’all excited for the talent show?” Apple Bloom asked. Sweetie jumped in seat excitedly. “I’m sure am! Maybe the three of us can do a rock performance together, just like last time! I can come up with a song this weekend!” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked at each other while Sweetie hummed the Cutie Mark Crusaders theme song. She smiled at them and waited for their reaction. Sweetie was very sure that they would like to sing as a trio again. Her bright smile diminished when there was no response from them. “We are doing something together, right?” “You see, for this year Scootaloo and I thought we should show off our talents on our own,” Apple Bloom said, trying to sound as polite as she can. She gave Sweetie a good-natured grin, but the unicorn still frowned. “What I’m trying to say is from all the times we’ve been trying to get our cutie mark, we discovered a little something about ourselves that we want to show to everyone.” Sweetie looked away from her friends. She used one hoof to twirl the milkshake with the straw and used the other to hold her head. “What are you going to do?” she asked. “I’m going to ride my scooter across the stage while wearing a cape with bright lights on it! Oh, and little ramps and stuff for me to jump over, with techno music!” “Wow,” Sweetie answered deadpan. “And I’m going to tap dance,” said Apple Bloom. “Ever since I became friends with Tender Taps, he’s been teaching me all kinds of cool dancing stuff!” “I hope it goes well,” Sweetie said sardonically. “I think you’re getting the wrong about this,” said Apple Bloom. “It’s not like we don’t want to do anything with you. We’ve figured that the talent show can be a great way for the three of us to show ourselves off as individuals.” “And besides, we’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders! There’s lots of other things we can do as a team!” Scootaloo added. “I’m pretty sure you got something planned, do you?” “... I did. For the three of us. But now that’s thrown out the window,” Sweetie replied. Not once had she made eye contact with her friends during their conversation. She sucked what remained of her milkshake through the red and white striped straw until the glass was empty. Then she grabbed her notebook and left the table. “I hope you guys have fun without me,” she said as she exited Sugarcube Corner. The door already closed behind her just as Scootaloo and Apple Bloom tried to speak out. Sweetie sat down in front of the piano. Her hooves randomly pressed the keys with no attempt to make a melody. It was mostly the lower keys she was targeting. The conversation with her friends left a sour taste in her mouth. On her way home she grumbled and mumbled, but in time she felt more disappointed than angry. She couldn’t understand why Scootaloo and Apple Bloom didn’t want to perform with her on the talent show. From the first day they became true companions, doing things together as a trio was the most important thing to her. It could have been a really bad show like the talent show from last year, and Sweetie wouldn’t care. She kept pressing the piano keys, but when each moment passed when she thought about her two friends the more frustrated she became. An older pony descended the stairway. The voice was feminine, and was humming. A white mare with gorgeous blue hair levitated two dresses, which looked to be Sweetie’s size. “Sweetie, could you be a dear and do me a favor?” Rarity asked. The little filly slowly retreated from the piano and approached her older sister. “What is it?” Sweetie asked. “I made these dresses for a birthday party that is to happen in a couple of days, and I want your opinion on them. Which one do you believe is perfect for a seven-year-old filly?” Rarity held a pink and white dress to her left and a dress with a blue blouse and yellow skirt with a red bow to her right. Sweetie only took a short moment to examine both of them, but Rarity couldn’t see the uninterested look on her face. Sweetie pointed to the dress on the left. “The pink one, I guess,” she said lowly. “Really? You don’t think it’s… too girly, as one might say?” Sweetie shrugged. “Sweetie, is something the matter?” She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it. Sweetie turned around and sat on the couch, looking straight into nothing. Rarity hung the dresses somewhere and joined her young sister. “I know that look anywhere. Something happened, and I know it. Tell me, what’s on your mind?” Rarity asked in a soothing voice. “I had a… disagreement with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.” “Really?” Rarity asked, surprised. “Oh goodness. Did you have an argument?” “No, but… well, next Friday is the Spring Talent Show, and I wanted to sing a song with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, but they wanted to do something on their own.” “Oh. Any reason why?” “They said wanted to show-off their talents as individuals, whatever that means.” Sweetie hung her head and sighed. “Sweetie, I don’t think they’re doing it out of spite. You know, sometimes good friends don’t have to do everything together. I don’t always go bird watching with Fluttershy, or play sports with Rainbow Dash, and sometimes they are not interested in the activities I enjoy.” “But I really wanted us to be together for this one,” said Sweetie. “I wanted to write a song for us to sing together. It was going to be better than last time. Without them… “ Sweetie paused. As much as she really wanted to be in the talent show, she knew she couldn’t perform without her friends present. An obvious scenario played in her head. Her pupils shrunk and her bottom lip twitched. Sweetie heard mocking laughter. Rarity grabbed her and pulled her from her trance. “Sweetie, if it’s that difficult for you, maybe you don’t have to be in the talent show,” said Rarity. “No, I want to do it. I… I just have to find someone else, that’s all.” “Just remember, Sweetie. If you feel uncomfortable, you don’t have to force yourself. There’s always next time.” Rarity kissed Sweetie’s cheek and went elsewhere. The little filly didn’t know what to think. The song she wanted to sing with her friends was no use to her now. The moment Apple Bloom and Scootaloo wanted to showcase their talents without her was when all inspiration was gone from Sweetie. With nothing left to do or say, she resumed pressing the keys on the piano. Chapter 2Sweetie Belle spent almost half the night at the piano, except when she was called for dinner. Afterward, when mother and father retreated to their room and Rarity went off to work on some sketches in her own room, she looked through the songbook and searched for a melody she can play. Sweetie found one after turning multiple pages. It was a simple tune she learned to play when she was five called “Sunshine Lane,” which was a children’s song. Her white hooves pressed the keys, and the song filled the emptiness of the living room. It was short song, taking no more than two minutes to play, but it made her feel somewhat better about Apple Bloom and Scootaloo’s choice to not be in the talent show with her. It came to a point where she didn’t necessarily need the book to play the song, however it was good to familiarize herself with it. There was nothing wrong with a little reminder. At the final notes of the song Sweetie mouthed the last few lines to herself. She closed her eyes and imagined herself in her kindergarten class when they used to sing it all the time. With the last note the song ended, and Sweetie turned the pages to search for another song. It was another short song she learned to play when she was young, a catchy, upbeat tune called “Heart and Soul.” It was a popular song to play on the piano, one must have heard at some point in their life. Sweetie also heard it being played in a scene from a movie she watched some time ago. It was about a small colt who wanted to be big. Rarity entered the living room just as Sweetie finished the song. “That was wonderful,” she exclaimed. “Are you going to play that for the talent show.” Sweetie made a face. “I don’t think so,” she said. “It’s a very overplayed song. I’m pretty sure ponies who are going to play the piano are going to have the same idea. Either that, or the one with the chopsticks, or Fur… Fur something.” “Fur Elise, darling.” “Yeah, that one,” Sweetie responded. “I still believe it sound lovely. Will you play another song for me?” Sweetie liked it when Rarity asked her to do something in a polite manner. She searched the songbook for a song to play for her older sister. She’d probably would like to hear something more classical, she thought to herself, although her skills were not nearly as advanced. She’d still try, though. Then, after thinking it over, she decided to not play another song from the book. Sweetie readied her hooves and began to play the Cutie Mark Crusaders theme song. As she played the song she hummed the lyrics, then she was seeing images from the talent show from last year. No matter how bad it was, it was a very special moment for her. They didn’t get their cutie marks that night like they hoped, but they had fun together. That was all she ever wanted. “You play it so well,” Rarity said. “Tell me, how do the lyrics go?” Sweetie continued to play. The lyrics weren’t that easy to forget. When you’re a young pony And your flank is very bare, Feels like the sun will never come When your cutie mark’s not there So the three of us will fight the fight, There is nothing that we fear, We’ll have to figure out what we’ll do next Until our cutie marks appear We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders On a quest to find our cutie marks, And we will never stop the journey Not until we have our cutie marks “You know, I have always wondered what inspired you to write that song,” said Rarity. “It’s very well-written.” “Well, Scootaloo was trying to make up the lyrics from the top of her head… also she couldn’t play the piano very well, so I helped her. In fact, all three of us wrote the song together.” “I was meaning to tell you, Sweetie, I was very surprised when I saw you on that stage. Everyone in our family said that you have a marvelous voice for singing, but you were always afraid to go on stage.” Rarity then shuddered after another thought. “And that… costume. How did you ever managed go through with something like that?” “That’s because Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were there with me.” The melody began to fade, then went to a complete stop. “I didn’t have to worry about everyone else as long as they were around. That was the best part of it.” Rarity and Sweetie fell silent, save for the muffled laughter from their parents upstairs. Rarity placed the tip of her hoof on her chin, tapping it lightly, deep in thought. “I’ll be right back. You stay right here,” she told Sweetie. She rushed upstairs, leaving Sweetie to stare at the black and white piano keys for a few moments. Rarity returned with her young sister’s stuffed dolls being held by magic. “I would like to try a little experiment,” she said. “I thought Princess Twilight liked to do experiments. And why are you using my dolls?” "No reason whatsoever, I just had the idea of playing out a scenario involving yourself.” Rarity positioned the dolls on the couch and empty seat in the living room that was available, and made sure all of them were facing Sweetie. “I would like for you to pretend that you’re on stage and your dolls are the audience. Now play a song.” Sweetie gave a weird look to her sister, but shrugged and turned around. She motioned her little hooves over the piano keys to play a song, then she froze. She hadn’t realized if she gazed at the white keys long enough they began to resemble teeth. When she tried to reach for the one of the high notes the keys played the wrong note. They even zigzagged back and forth, as if mocking her efforts. Sweetie turned back to find that her dolls held malicious looks on their stitched faces and buttoned eyes. Was that chuckling she heard from them? Sweetie turned back to the piano, paced herself, lowered her hooves. She stumbled on the first key. “I can’t do it!” “What do you mean?” asked Rarity. Sweetie made a gesture toward her dolls. “I can’t do it in front of them! They’ll laugh!” “... They’re just dolls.” Sweetie opened her mouth, only to quickly remove herself from the living room. A moment later she returned to collect her dolls, then dashed to her bedroom and locked the door. Despite her sister’s eccentric behavior, Rarity tried not to let it bother her. She’s only a little filly after all. Hopefully Sweetie will not think ill of her, she thought. It was the moment Sweetie waited all her life for. She had her doubts, she had her second thoughts, but the stage finally belonged to her. Sweetie stood by the right wing of the stage in her violet dress and glass slippers as the announcer came into center view. With a loud voice that was enhanced by the microphone, the announcer introduced Sweetie Belle to the applauding audience. This had to be a dream. There was no way this was actually happening. No, she shouldn’t think about that, now was not the time. This was her moment. The world was going to hear her magnificent voice. Sweetie Belle stepped forward to the center of the stage. The arena was in a frenzy. Ponies hollered, stomped their hooves, cameras flashed to get a glimpse of her beautiful face. She looked to the front row to see her smiling family, including Rarity, the one who was always there throughout her life. There was nothing else on earth that can surpass this moment. Finally, all was silent. Sweetie approached the microphone. The orchestra braced themselves, and the conductor held his baton to ready the players into full motion. Into the first notes of the string instruments Sweetie opened her mouth. A blow-horn was heard. Instantly, she covered her mouth out of shock. What was happening? Maybe she was stressed, but how could be? She was feeling fine before. Sweetie opened her mouth again. She produced a cartoonish sound effect. The audience was murmuring, even her family looked at her weirdly. Sweetie was afraid to open her mouth again. Most of the crowd started to laugh at her, as though this was a comedic performance. She had to prove them wrong. Sweetie opened her mouth once more to force her excellent singing voice into the ears of the spectators. Much to her dismay she sounded like an elephant. There was mixture of booing and laughing from the audience. Sweetie turned to her family only to find they have sneaked out of the arena. There was a little note left behind on Rarity’s spot. Sweetie took a closer look, and her once high spirit was broken when it read “I’M SORRY” in fine print. Two other ponies joined the stage from opposite sides, laughing at her as well. Her entire world was torn asunder when she saw that the young ponies looked like Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Apple Bloom was tap dancing in a mocking fashion and Scootaloo was clothed in a purple jumpsuit with a giant yellow lightning bolt stitched on the front with a helmet, with a fancy-looking new scooter. To make matters much more frightening, her stuffed dolls and toys from her fillyhood part of the laughing audience, all of them with jeering faces like before. This had to be a dream. A very bad dream. All she wanted to do was to wake up. “Sweetie,” a voice said. “Sweetie, wake up darling.” Sweetie Belle knew that faint voice. She forced her eyes open, and out of the darkness she saw the outline of Rarity, obscured by sunlight from the window. It took awhile for her blurry vision to make a clear image of gorgeous blue hair. “Sweetie, are you well? You were tossing in your bed like a madness!” “Rarity I had the most awful dream ever!” Sweetie said. “I was getting ready to sing in front of a large crowd, but I couldn’t! I kept making all these strange noises! Everypony laughed, then Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were there laughing at me! You, mom and dad were there too, but all of you left me when things got worse!” “Oh my… that does sound dreadful. Are you alright, dear? You gave me such a fright.” “I think so,” Sweetie said, unsure of herself. “I’m glad to hear.” Sweetie yawned and climbed out of bed, drowsily. “Well, I guess I have to get ready.” “For what?” “For another day at school.” “But Sweetie, it’s Saturday.” Sweetie Belle paused on her steps. She knocked herself on the side of her head with her hoof. Of course it was Saturday. Darn that terrible dream, she thought. “Sweetie, are you sure you are feeling well?” Rarity asked again. “I’m fine. That dream threw me off. I just need to lie down for awhile… and watch some cartoons or something.” Sweetie Belle stepped out of her bedroom, on her way to the kitchen to make herself a bowl of cereal, then retreat to the family room to watch her morning animated programs. Before Rarity left her room she caught a glimpse of one of Sweetie’s stuffed dolls. There was a stitched pony in a clown costume sitting on the shelf above her bed. Rarity was very sure she would have a bad dream as well with that clown sitting above her head. Chapter 3As the morning passed, Sweetie Belle began to feel slightly better about the terrible dream she had. Watching cartoons had that positive effect on her, if only for a short while. However, from across the room she could see the side of the piano, and for a brief moment she shifted nervously. Just keep watching cartoons, Sweetie thought to herself. Although the Saturday morning schedule ended exactly at noon, the last show Sweetie watched was her favorite, Princess Andromeda, an action-adventure, science fiction and fantasy show about a princess who travels the universe in an endless battle against the forces of evil. The latest episode ended in a cliffhanger, and what followed was a slice of life cartoon Sweetie thought for sure was a ripoff of another slice of life cartoon she saw, so she lost her interest. Besides, after that show there will be a thirty minute infomercial, and she didn’t want to waste time watching that. It was then that Opal the Cat entered the room. Sweetie took the opportunity to sweep her off the floor in an attempt to pet and cuddle, although she should have known better. Opal squirmed in Sweetie’s arms and landed on all four of her legs, then gave her an annoyed look. “You never like to cuddle,” Sweetie complained. Opal smirked, then walked away with her tail up. “Now what do I do?” she asked herself. Sweetie turned her head to the other room where the piano was. With the talent show only in two weeks from now, maybe she can spend the rest of the day working on her song. It didn’t seem like such a bad idea. But first she had to write it. Sweetie went upstairs and into her room to find her notebook. She turned to a blank page that didn’t have lines of poetry. She tapped her white cheek with the eraser as she searched her mind for something to write about. Nothing came about. An endless stream of potential ideas came and went. Sweetie thought it’d be great to write a song about losing her hairbrush, but the idea itself was ridiculous. Another idea for a song she had was about how great it was to be a unicorn, although she thought she might offend some ponies, and she didn’t want to hurt any feelings. Then she told herself not to think, but to just write. Her pencil moved and thought of the first few words that came into her mind. Sweetie wrote three stanzas and read them to herself. She made a face. “This is terrible!” Apparently the first and second lines she wrote was about getting out of bed and enjoying the great day that was to begin. Then the rest was just a list of mundane activities that it almost sounded like a journal entry than a song. Sweetie slumped in her seat. “This is great!” she said in frustration. “I’m scared to sing in front of a crowd and I have writer’s block!” Sweetie lowered her head flat on her desk and wrapped her hooves around it. She heard a meow from her doorway, and when she looked up she saw Opal sitting there, wondering what the commotion was about. Sweetie reached out her hooves to signal Opal to cuddle with her for support. Unfortunately the cat turned away. “Why won’t you cuddle with me?” Sweetie cried. “Who won’t cuddle with you?” a male voice asked from the hall. Sweetie’s father entered her bedroom, a tall stallion with a brown mustache, his skin the same color as her’s, sporting an aloha shirt. “What’s going on, Sweetie?” “I’m having a terrible day, that’s what’s happening.” “It can’t be that terrible if Opal won’t cuddle. You know how she is,” father said. Sweetie was going to explain to him what she was frustrated about, but quickly gave up. Her father scratched the top of his head while thinking of something to say. “Uh, why won’t go see what your little friends are up to, you know? You’ve been inside all morning.” He reached into his pocket and placed some bits on her desk. “Can you bring back some milk while you’re out?” He took out a few more bits. “And a little something for yourself.” Sweetie thought for a brief moment. Maybe she could write a song about her cat not wanting to show affection. All great songs come from heartbreak, she reasoned, but who would want to hear songs about cats except for the ponies who can afford Bridleway shows? She surrendered, took the bits, and forcefully slumped her way out of the house. At least her friends can cheer her up as long as they don’t bring up the talent show during conversation. It was at this time Sweetie decided to go Sugarcube Corner and order her favorite milkshake. That will at least ease her stress. She remembered the haiku she wrote the day before of how great it was to enjoy milkshakes in the company of friends. She thought about visiting Apple Bloom first, since it’s likely she’s at the barn helping her family. Scootaloo was probably off with Rainbow Dash somewhere. She knew she couldn’t hold a grudge against them forever. Hopefully a little talk can make her feel better about all this. Once she approached the doors, she heard music from a short distance. It sounded like someone was playing the harmonica. There were a couple of hooves stomping on the ground to the rhythm. Whoever it was must be having a very good time. Sweetie wish she could feel the same. Just as she was about to enter the bakery she heard applause. She looked at the crowd across the street. Many were coming and going, stopping to see the performer for a few moments before leaving. Suddenly, there was the sound of a whistle of a bird. This peaked Sweetie’s interest. She walked away from Sugarcube Corner to join the crowd, very eager to see what, or who, was holding their attention. Sweetie politely shoved her way to the front to get a better view. It was a strange, but very pleasant sight. There was a owl in a red suit, about the size of the average filly, dancing and singing, clapping his wings together. On the ground near him was a black hat with bits thrown in. He grabbed his harmonica and created a playful tune, and then he began to sing. I’ve been away from you a long time. I never thought I’d miss you so. Somehow I feel Your love is real Near you I want to be. The birds are singing, it is song time. The banjo’s strumming soft and low. I know that you Yearn for me too. Swanee, you’re calling me. The owl then put the tip of his wings inside his beak and began to whistle like a lovely songbird, much to the delight of those watching. Even Sweetie was entranced. When he sang another song she tapped her hoof and her head nod. She never seen anyone like him before. The owl sang some more, and the more he sang the more bits he earned. Those who gave him money continued with their day, but Sweetie remained on the sidewalk watching the owl in the red suit. She forgot about the strawberry and banana milkshake. If anyone were to ask her, Sweetie also forgot why she even went outside for. For some time afterward the crowd dispersed and the owl stopped singing. Sweetie wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to talk to him. He might be very busy at the moment. She considered walking away like the others, but something held her from doing so. She took a deep breath and threw caution to the wind, and approached the owl. “... Hello,” she said. “Well how do ya do!” the owl said happily. He sounded very much like a child. “Um, I wanted to say… that you were pretty good.” “Well gee, thanks kid!” The owl took Sweetie’s hoof in a firm grip and shook it, much to her surprise. “The name’s Jolson, Owl Jolson, Ollie if you want!” “My name’s Sweetie Belle.” “Please to meet ya, Sweetie!” Sweetie took her hand back and smiled lightly. He seemed to be a very pleasant fellow. “So… what was that song you were singing earlier?” she asked. “An old tune I heard a long time ago,” Ollie answered. “It’s an old number called Swanee, by a Mister Al Taphoof.” “I like it.” “Thanks, kiddo.” “Where are you going now?” asked Sweetie. Ollie checked his hat and counted the bits inside. He made a subtle face that told Sweetie that he may have a problem with his current plans. “Well, I’m going to head over the park and rest, maybe get a move on tomorrow.” “The park? Don’t you have anywhere to go?” Ollie shifted nervously. “Well, you see… I’ve been moving from town to town lately, and uh… you know what, I don’t want to worry with my problems. You have a nice day,” he said happily. He shook Sweetie’s hoof and whistled away. Sweetie wanted to do something. It wasn't right for a young owl his age to be sleeping in the park at night. This was her chance to be helpful in a situation that didn't involve cutie marks. She caught up with Ollie before he went any further. “If you don’t have anywhere to go, you can stay at my house,” she said. “You know, for the night.” “Really? Oh gee whiz, I don’t want to be bother and all.” “Don’t be silly. My family loves company. So what do you say?” Ollie thought for a moment. He was getting frustrated from all the nights he had to sleep in that small tent he had for himself, especially during this time of year when the nights were cold. This was the first time someone had offered him a place to stay. After thinking it over, he smiled. “Alright, I’ll take your offer.” Sweetie grinned and hopped. It always felt good to help someone else in need. It wouldn’t surprised her if she got her generous spirit from Rarity. All was well until the smile on Sweetie’s face fell. “I forgot, we can’t go home yet. My parents sent me out to buy milk.” “Then let’s not waste anytime!” Ollie exclaimed. “To the cows!” Ollie extended his wing and allowed Sweetie to lead the way. Together they walked the streets of Ponyville together under the yellow sun while he whistled a catchy jazz tune. “What’s that you’re singing now?” “I made it up just now. I don’t have a name for it, though.”
Chapter 1There were only a few minutes left in the school day, meaning Miss Cheerilee still had time to talk. It was a lesson about the Equestrian monarchy she began once her students returned from lunch and recess. Most of the children drifted away from reality, eagerly watching the clock until the hour hand struck at three. One of the children, Sweetie Belle, had her attention drawn to a piece of paper with a pencil in her hooves. Not because she was writing notes. Sweetie was busy writing poetry. For some reason that she couldn’t fathom, she recently had the sudden urge to write poems whenever she had the time. However, she never realized how difficult it was to find words that rhyme with each other. One line in her poem had the word daffodil, but she didn’t know what word rhymes with daffodil, and she knew she just couldn’t make up words. Finally, it was nearly three o’clock, and Miss Cheerilee decided to let her class go. The children were quick to jump from their seats. At long last they were free for the weekend until the cycle begins again on Monday. Sweetie didn’t mind, though. A weekend was more than enough time to spend with her best friends while also working on her poetry skills. “Class, before you go I have something to tell all of you,” Miss Cheerilee said. The students stood in place and listened to what she had to say. “Two weeks from this Friday will be the night of the annual Ponyville Spring Talent Show. If you have any talent you’d like to show off, there is a signup sheet at the door. You can perform by yourself or in a group.” It was the most interesting news the children had heard all day. They blocked the doorway to sign their names on the sheet, and as Miss Cheerilee said, many wanted to performed their talents along with their good friends, and only a few others wanted to show off their skills as an individual. Sweetie Belle and her friends were excited for the news of the talent show as well. They didn’t know what they were going to do, but all three of them signed their names on the list. Sweetie Belle and her two friends, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, called themselves collectively The Cutie Mark Crusaders. They were formed during the autumn of their second grade year. Originally, their club was meant to help them find out what their special talents were so they could have their cutie marks appear on their flanks. Now that they’ve finally got their marks, their new mission is to help others figure out what their special talents are. The day Sweetie Belle recieved her cutie mark was the most important day of her life. During that time she was so excited that she tried to figure out a way to express her feelings. She thought it was the reason why she turned to poetry. As per usual every Friday afternoon, the Cutie Mark Crusaders made a stop at Sugarcube Corner for a pastry snack before they went home. The owners of the shop regarded them as their favorite customers, only because they always leave with smiles on their smeared faces. Pinkie Pie, the owners’ apprentice, gave them the usual: three tall glasses of strawberry and banana milkshakes. While Apple Bloom and Scootaloo talked about the day’s events, Sweetie Belle laid her notebook on the table and continued to write more poetry. She disregarded trying to find a rhyme for daffodil and began to write a poem about drinking her favorite milkshake with her best friends. It’s the easiest subject to a poem out of, she thought to herself. She wrote one line, then two, then the third line, and read it back to herself. Strawberry milkshakes Is fun to drink with best friends After school is done. It was at this moment that Sweetie realized she wrote a haiku. There was nothing wrong with haikus, but she was disappointed that it didn’t rhyme. She drew a huge X through the three lined poem and start over. She was so drawn into her attempts at creating poetry that she didn’t notice that her friends were calling her name. Sweetie looked up to see that Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were staring at her. “Oh… hi. What are we talking about?” she asked. “We were talking about the talent show,” Apple Bloom answered. “Weren’t you listening?” “Sorry, I was kind of busy with something.” Sweetie hid away her notebook while catching a glimpse of Apple Bloom shaking her head and Scootaloo giggling. “Working on your poetry again?” said Scootaloo. “There’s nothing wrong with doing something creative with your time,” Sweetie answered. “Anyway, getting back on the subject, are any of y’all excited for the talent show?” Apple Bloom asked. Sweetie jumped in seat excitedly. “I’m sure am! Maybe the three of us can do a rock performance together, just like last time! I can come up with a song this weekend!” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked at each other while Sweetie hummed the Cutie Mark Crusaders theme song. She smiled at them and waited for their reaction. Sweetie was very sure that they would like to sing as a trio again. Her bright smile diminished when there was no response from them. “We are doing something together, right?” “You see, for this year Scootaloo and I thought we should show off our talents on our own,” Apple Bloom said, trying to sound as polite as she can. She gave Sweetie a good-natured grin, but the unicorn still frowned. “What I’m trying to say is from all the times we’ve been trying to get our cutie mark, we discovered a little something about ourselves that we want to show to everyone.” Sweetie looked away from her friends. She used one hoof to twirl the milkshake with the straw and used the other to hold her head. “What are you going to do?” she asked. “I’m going to ride my scooter across the stage while wearing a cape with bright lights on it! Oh, and little ramps and stuff for me to jump over, with techno music!” “Wow,” Sweetie answered deadpan. “And I’m going to tap dance,” said Apple Bloom. “Ever since I became friends with Tender Taps, he’s been teaching me all kinds of cool dancing stuff!” “I hope it goes well,” Sweetie said sardonically. “I think you’re getting the wrong about this,” said Apple Bloom. “It’s not like we don’t want to do anything with you. We’ve figured that the talent show can be a great way for the three of us to show ourselves off as individuals.” “And besides, we’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders! There’s lots of other things we can do as a team!” Scootaloo added. “I’m pretty sure you got something planned, do you?” “... I did. For the three of us. But now that’s thrown out the window,” Sweetie replied. Not once had she made eye contact with her friends during their conversation. She sucked what remained of her milkshake through the red and white striped straw until the glass was empty. Then she grabbed her notebook and left the table. “I hope you guys have fun without me,” she said as she exited Sugarcube Corner. The door already closed behind her just as Scootaloo and Apple Bloom tried to speak out. Sweetie sat down in front of the piano. Her hooves randomly pressed the keys with no attempt to make a melody. It was mostly the lower keys she was targeting. The conversation with her friends left a sour taste in her mouth. On her way home she grumbled and mumbled, but in time she felt more disappointed than angry. She couldn’t understand why Scootaloo and Apple Bloom didn’t want to perform with her on the talent show. From the first day they became true companions, doing things together as a trio was the most important thing to her. It could have been a really bad show like the talent show from last year, and Sweetie wouldn’t care. She kept pressing the piano keys, but when each moment passed when she thought about her two friends the more frustrated she became. An older pony descended the stairway. The voice was feminine, and was humming. A white mare with gorgeous blue hair levitated two dresses, which looked to be Sweetie’s size. “Sweetie, could you be a dear and do me a favor?” Rarity asked. The little filly slowly retreated from the piano and approached her older sister. “What is it?” Sweetie asked. “I made these dresses for a birthday party that is to happen in a couple of days, and I want your opinion on them. Which one do you believe is perfect for a seven-year-old filly?” Rarity held a pink and white dress to her left and a dress with a blue blouse and yellow skirt with a red bow to her right. Sweetie only took a short moment to examine both of them, but Rarity couldn’t see the uninterested look on her face. Sweetie pointed to the dress on the left. “The pink one, I guess,” she said lowly. “Really? You don’t think it’s… too girly, as one might say?” Sweetie shrugged. “Sweetie, is something the matter?” She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it. Sweetie turned around and sat on the couch, looking straight into nothing. Rarity hung the dresses somewhere and joined her young sister. “I know that look anywhere. Something happened, and I know it. Tell me, what’s on your mind?” Rarity asked in a soothing voice. “I had a… disagreement with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.” “Really?” Rarity asked, surprised. “Oh goodness. Did you have an argument?” “No, but… well, next Friday is the Spring Talent Show, and I wanted to sing a song with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, but they wanted to do something on their own.” “Oh. Any reason why?” “They said wanted to show-off their talents as individuals, whatever that means.” Sweetie hung her head and sighed. “Sweetie, I don’t think they’re doing it out of spite. You know, sometimes good friends don’t have to do everything together. I don’t always go bird watching with Fluttershy, or play sports with Rainbow Dash, and sometimes they are not interested in the activities I enjoy.” “But I really wanted us to be together for this one,” said Sweetie. “I wanted to write a song for us to sing together. It was going to be better than last time. Without them… “ Sweetie paused. As much as she really wanted to be in the talent show, she knew she couldn’t perform without her friends present. An obvious scenario played in her head. Her pupils shrunk and her bottom lip twitched. Sweetie heard mocking laughter. Rarity grabbed her and pulled her from her trance. “Sweetie, if it’s that difficult for you, maybe you don’t have to be in the talent show,” said Rarity. “No, I want to do it. I… I just have to find someone else, that’s all.” “Just remember, Sweetie. If you feel uncomfortable, you don’t have to force yourself. There’s always next time.” Rarity kissed Sweetie’s cheek and went elsewhere. The little filly didn’t know what to think. The song she wanted to sing with her friends was no use to her now. The moment Apple Bloom and Scootaloo wanted to showcase their talents without her was when all inspiration was gone from Sweetie. With nothing left to do or say, she resumed pressing the keys on the piano.
Chapter 2Sweetie Belle spent almost half the night at the piano, except when she was called for dinner. Afterward, when mother and father retreated to their room and Rarity went off to work on some sketches in her own room, she looked through the songbook and searched for a melody she can play. Sweetie found one after turning multiple pages. It was a simple tune she learned to play when she was five called “Sunshine Lane,” which was a children’s song. Her white hooves pressed the keys, and the song filled the emptiness of the living room. It was short song, taking no more than two minutes to play, but it made her feel somewhat better about Apple Bloom and Scootaloo’s choice to not be in the talent show with her. It came to a point where she didn’t necessarily need the book to play the song, however it was good to familiarize herself with it. There was nothing wrong with a little reminder. At the final notes of the song Sweetie mouthed the last few lines to herself. She closed her eyes and imagined herself in her kindergarten class when they used to sing it all the time. With the last note the song ended, and Sweetie turned the pages to search for another song. It was another short song she learned to play when she was young, a catchy, upbeat tune called “Heart and Soul.” It was a popular song to play on the piano, one must have heard at some point in their life. Sweetie also heard it being played in a scene from a movie she watched some time ago. It was about a small colt who wanted to be big. Rarity entered the living room just as Sweetie finished the song. “That was wonderful,” she exclaimed. “Are you going to play that for the talent show.” Sweetie made a face. “I don’t think so,” she said. “It’s a very overplayed song. I’m pretty sure ponies who are going to play the piano are going to have the same idea. Either that, or the one with the chopsticks, or Fur… Fur something.” “Fur Elise, darling.” “Yeah, that one,” Sweetie responded. “I still believe it sound lovely. Will you play another song for me?” Sweetie liked it when Rarity asked her to do something in a polite manner. She searched the songbook for a song to play for her older sister. She’d probably would like to hear something more classical, she thought to herself, although her skills were not nearly as advanced. She’d still try, though. Then, after thinking it over, she decided to not play another song from the book. Sweetie readied her hooves and began to play the Cutie Mark Crusaders theme song. As she played the song she hummed the lyrics, then she was seeing images from the talent show from last year. No matter how bad it was, it was a very special moment for her. They didn’t get their cutie marks that night like they hoped, but they had fun together. That was all she ever wanted. “You play it so well,” Rarity said. “Tell me, how do the lyrics go?” Sweetie continued to play. The lyrics weren’t that easy to forget. When you’re a young pony And your flank is very bare, Feels like the sun will never come When your cutie mark’s not there So the three of us will fight the fight, There is nothing that we fear, We’ll have to figure out what we’ll do next Until our cutie marks appear We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders On a quest to find our cutie marks, And we will never stop the journey Not until we have our cutie marks “You know, I have always wondered what inspired you to write that song,” said Rarity. “It’s very well-written.” “Well, Scootaloo was trying to make up the lyrics from the top of her head… also she couldn’t play the piano very well, so I helped her. In fact, all three of us wrote the song together.” “I was meaning to tell you, Sweetie, I was very surprised when I saw you on that stage. Everyone in our family said that you have a marvelous voice for singing, but you were always afraid to go on stage.” Rarity then shuddered after another thought. “And that… costume. How did you ever managed go through with something like that?” “That’s because Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were there with me.” The melody began to fade, then went to a complete stop. “I didn’t have to worry about everyone else as long as they were around. That was the best part of it.” Rarity and Sweetie fell silent, save for the muffled laughter from their parents upstairs. Rarity placed the tip of her hoof on her chin, tapping it lightly, deep in thought. “I’ll be right back. You stay right here,” she told Sweetie. She rushed upstairs, leaving Sweetie to stare at the black and white piano keys for a few moments. Rarity returned with her young sister’s stuffed dolls being held by magic. “I would like to try a little experiment,” she said. “I thought Princess Twilight liked to do experiments. And why are you using my dolls?” "No reason whatsoever, I just had the idea of playing out a scenario involving yourself.” Rarity positioned the dolls on the couch and empty seat in the living room that was available, and made sure all of them were facing Sweetie. “I would like for you to pretend that you’re on stage and your dolls are the audience. Now play a song.” Sweetie gave a weird look to her sister, but shrugged and turned around. She motioned her little hooves over the piano keys to play a song, then she froze. She hadn’t realized if she gazed at the white keys long enough they began to resemble teeth. When she tried to reach for the one of the high notes the keys played the wrong note. They even zigzagged back and forth, as if mocking her efforts. Sweetie turned back to find that her dolls held malicious looks on their stitched faces and buttoned eyes. Was that chuckling she heard from them? Sweetie turned back to the piano, paced herself, lowered her hooves. She stumbled on the first key. “I can’t do it!” “What do you mean?” asked Rarity. Sweetie made a gesture toward her dolls. “I can’t do it in front of them! They’ll laugh!” “... They’re just dolls.” Sweetie opened her mouth, only to quickly remove herself from the living room. A moment later she returned to collect her dolls, then dashed to her bedroom and locked the door. Despite her sister’s eccentric behavior, Rarity tried not to let it bother her. She’s only a little filly after all. Hopefully Sweetie will not think ill of her, she thought. It was the moment Sweetie waited all her life for. She had her doubts, she had her second thoughts, but the stage finally belonged to her. Sweetie stood by the right wing of the stage in her violet dress and glass slippers as the announcer came into center view. With a loud voice that was enhanced by the microphone, the announcer introduced Sweetie Belle to the applauding audience. This had to be a dream. There was no way this was actually happening. No, she shouldn’t think about that, now was not the time. This was her moment. The world was going to hear her magnificent voice. Sweetie Belle stepped forward to the center of the stage. The arena was in a frenzy. Ponies hollered, stomped their hooves, cameras flashed to get a glimpse of her beautiful face. She looked to the front row to see her smiling family, including Rarity, the one who was always there throughout her life. There was nothing else on earth that can surpass this moment. Finally, all was silent. Sweetie approached the microphone. The orchestra braced themselves, and the conductor held his baton to ready the players into full motion. Into the first notes of the string instruments Sweetie opened her mouth. A blow-horn was heard. Instantly, she covered her mouth out of shock. What was happening? Maybe she was stressed, but how could be? She was feeling fine before. Sweetie opened her mouth again. She produced a cartoonish sound effect. The audience was murmuring, even her family looked at her weirdly. Sweetie was afraid to open her mouth again. Most of the crowd started to laugh at her, as though this was a comedic performance. She had to prove them wrong. Sweetie opened her mouth once more to force her excellent singing voice into the ears of the spectators. Much to her dismay she sounded like an elephant. There was mixture of booing and laughing from the audience. Sweetie turned to her family only to find they have sneaked out of the arena. There was a little note left behind on Rarity’s spot. Sweetie took a closer look, and her once high spirit was broken when it read “I’M SORRY” in fine print. Two other ponies joined the stage from opposite sides, laughing at her as well. Her entire world was torn asunder when she saw that the young ponies looked like Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Apple Bloom was tap dancing in a mocking fashion and Scootaloo was clothed in a purple jumpsuit with a giant yellow lightning bolt stitched on the front with a helmet, with a fancy-looking new scooter. To make matters much more frightening, her stuffed dolls and toys from her fillyhood part of the laughing audience, all of them with jeering faces like before. This had to be a dream. A very bad dream. All she wanted to do was to wake up. “Sweetie,” a voice said. “Sweetie, wake up darling.” Sweetie Belle knew that faint voice. She forced her eyes open, and out of the darkness she saw the outline of Rarity, obscured by sunlight from the window. It took awhile for her blurry vision to make a clear image of gorgeous blue hair. “Sweetie, are you well? You were tossing in your bed like a madness!” “Rarity I had the most awful dream ever!” Sweetie said. “I was getting ready to sing in front of a large crowd, but I couldn’t! I kept making all these strange noises! Everypony laughed, then Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were there laughing at me! You, mom and dad were there too, but all of you left me when things got worse!” “Oh my… that does sound dreadful. Are you alright, dear? You gave me such a fright.” “I think so,” Sweetie said, unsure of herself. “I’m glad to hear.” Sweetie yawned and climbed out of bed, drowsily. “Well, I guess I have to get ready.” “For what?” “For another day at school.” “But Sweetie, it’s Saturday.” Sweetie Belle paused on her steps. She knocked herself on the side of her head with her hoof. Of course it was Saturday. Darn that terrible dream, she thought. “Sweetie, are you sure you are feeling well?” Rarity asked again. “I’m fine. That dream threw me off. I just need to lie down for awhile… and watch some cartoons or something.” Sweetie Belle stepped out of her bedroom, on her way to the kitchen to make herself a bowl of cereal, then retreat to the family room to watch her morning animated programs. Before Rarity left her room she caught a glimpse of one of Sweetie’s stuffed dolls. There was a stitched pony in a clown costume sitting on the shelf above her bed. Rarity was very sure she would have a bad dream as well with that clown sitting above her head.
Chapter 3As the morning passed, Sweetie Belle began to feel slightly better about the terrible dream she had. Watching cartoons had that positive effect on her, if only for a short while. However, from across the room she could see the side of the piano, and for a brief moment she shifted nervously. Just keep watching cartoons, Sweetie thought to herself. Although the Saturday morning schedule ended exactly at noon, the last show Sweetie watched was her favorite, Princess Andromeda, an action-adventure, science fiction and fantasy show about a princess who travels the universe in an endless battle against the forces of evil. The latest episode ended in a cliffhanger, and what followed was a slice of life cartoon Sweetie thought for sure was a ripoff of another slice of life cartoon she saw, so she lost her interest. Besides, after that show there will be a thirty minute infomercial, and she didn’t want to waste time watching that. It was then that Opal the Cat entered the room. Sweetie took the opportunity to sweep her off the floor in an attempt to pet and cuddle, although she should have known better. Opal squirmed in Sweetie’s arms and landed on all four of her legs, then gave her an annoyed look. “You never like to cuddle,” Sweetie complained. Opal smirked, then walked away with her tail up. “Now what do I do?” she asked herself. Sweetie turned her head to the other room where the piano was. With the talent show only in two weeks from now, maybe she can spend the rest of the day working on her song. It didn’t seem like such a bad idea. But first she had to write it. Sweetie went upstairs and into her room to find her notebook. She turned to a blank page that didn’t have lines of poetry. She tapped her white cheek with the eraser as she searched her mind for something to write about. Nothing came about. An endless stream of potential ideas came and went. Sweetie thought it’d be great to write a song about losing her hairbrush, but the idea itself was ridiculous. Another idea for a song she had was about how great it was to be a unicorn, although she thought she might offend some ponies, and she didn’t want to hurt any feelings. Then she told herself not to think, but to just write. Her pencil moved and thought of the first few words that came into her mind. Sweetie wrote three stanzas and read them to herself. She made a face. “This is terrible!” Apparently the first and second lines she wrote was about getting out of bed and enjoying the great day that was to begin. Then the rest was just a list of mundane activities that it almost sounded like a journal entry than a song. Sweetie slumped in her seat. “This is great!” she said in frustration. “I’m scared to sing in front of a crowd and I have writer’s block!” Sweetie lowered her head flat on her desk and wrapped her hooves around it. She heard a meow from her doorway, and when she looked up she saw Opal sitting there, wondering what the commotion was about. Sweetie reached out her hooves to signal Opal to cuddle with her for support. Unfortunately the cat turned away. “Why won’t you cuddle with me?” Sweetie cried. “Who won’t cuddle with you?” a male voice asked from the hall. Sweetie’s father entered her bedroom, a tall stallion with a brown mustache, his skin the same color as her’s, sporting an aloha shirt. “What’s going on, Sweetie?” “I’m having a terrible day, that’s what’s happening.” “It can’t be that terrible if Opal won’t cuddle. You know how she is,” father said. Sweetie was going to explain to him what she was frustrated about, but quickly gave up. Her father scratched the top of his head while thinking of something to say. “Uh, why won’t go see what your little friends are up to, you know? You’ve been inside all morning.” He reached into his pocket and placed some bits on her desk. “Can you bring back some milk while you’re out?” He took out a few more bits. “And a little something for yourself.” Sweetie thought for a brief moment. Maybe she could write a song about her cat not wanting to show affection. All great songs come from heartbreak, she reasoned, but who would want to hear songs about cats except for the ponies who can afford Bridleway shows? She surrendered, took the bits, and forcefully slumped her way out of the house. At least her friends can cheer her up as long as they don’t bring up the talent show during conversation. It was at this time Sweetie decided to go Sugarcube Corner and order her favorite milkshake. That will at least ease her stress. She remembered the haiku she wrote the day before of how great it was to enjoy milkshakes in the company of friends. She thought about visiting Apple Bloom first, since it’s likely she’s at the barn helping her family. Scootaloo was probably off with Rainbow Dash somewhere. She knew she couldn’t hold a grudge against them forever. Hopefully a little talk can make her feel better about all this. Once she approached the doors, she heard music from a short distance. It sounded like someone was playing the harmonica. There were a couple of hooves stomping on the ground to the rhythm. Whoever it was must be having a very good time. Sweetie wish she could feel the same. Just as she was about to enter the bakery she heard applause. She looked at the crowd across the street. Many were coming and going, stopping to see the performer for a few moments before leaving. Suddenly, there was the sound of a whistle of a bird. This peaked Sweetie’s interest. She walked away from Sugarcube Corner to join the crowd, very eager to see what, or who, was holding their attention. Sweetie politely shoved her way to the front to get a better view. It was a strange, but very pleasant sight. There was a owl in a red suit, about the size of the average filly, dancing and singing, clapping his wings together. On the ground near him was a black hat with bits thrown in. He grabbed his harmonica and created a playful tune, and then he began to sing. I’ve been away from you a long time. I never thought I’d miss you so. Somehow I feel Your love is real Near you I want to be. The birds are singing, it is song time. The banjo’s strumming soft and low. I know that you Yearn for me too. Swanee, you’re calling me. The owl then put the tip of his wings inside his beak and began to whistle like a lovely songbird, much to the delight of those watching. Even Sweetie was entranced. When he sang another song she tapped her hoof and her head nod. She never seen anyone like him before. The owl sang some more, and the more he sang the more bits he earned. Those who gave him money continued with their day, but Sweetie remained on the sidewalk watching the owl in the red suit. She forgot about the strawberry and banana milkshake. If anyone were to ask her, Sweetie also forgot why she even went outside for. For some time afterward the crowd dispersed and the owl stopped singing. Sweetie wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to talk to him. He might be very busy at the moment. She considered walking away like the others, but something held her from doing so. She took a deep breath and threw caution to the wind, and approached the owl. “... Hello,” she said. “Well how do ya do!” the owl said happily. He sounded very much like a child. “Um, I wanted to say… that you were pretty good.” “Well gee, thanks kid!” The owl took Sweetie’s hoof in a firm grip and shook it, much to her surprise. “The name’s Jolson, Owl Jolson, Ollie if you want!” “My name’s Sweetie Belle.” “Please to meet ya, Sweetie!” Sweetie took her hand back and smiled lightly. He seemed to be a very pleasant fellow. “So… what was that song you were singing earlier?” she asked. “An old tune I heard a long time ago,” Ollie answered. “It’s an old number called Swanee, by a Mister Al Taphoof.” “I like it.” “Thanks, kiddo.” “Where are you going now?” asked Sweetie. Ollie checked his hat and counted the bits inside. He made a subtle face that told Sweetie that he may have a problem with his current plans. “Well, I’m going to head over the park and rest, maybe get a move on tomorrow.” “The park? Don’t you have anywhere to go?” Ollie shifted nervously. “Well, you see… I’ve been moving from town to town lately, and uh… you know what, I don’t want to worry with my problems. You have a nice day,” he said happily. He shook Sweetie’s hoof and whistled away. Sweetie wanted to do something. It wasn't right for a young owl his age to be sleeping in the park at night. This was her chance to be helpful in a situation that didn't involve cutie marks. She caught up with Ollie before he went any further. “If you don’t have anywhere to go, you can stay at my house,” she said. “You know, for the night.” “Really? Oh gee whiz, I don’t want to be bother and all.” “Don’t be silly. My family loves company. So what do you say?” Ollie thought for a moment. He was getting frustrated from all the nights he had to sleep in that small tent he had for himself, especially during this time of year when the nights were cold. This was the first time someone had offered him a place to stay. After thinking it over, he smiled. “Alright, I’ll take your offer.” Sweetie grinned and hopped. It always felt good to help someone else in need. It wouldn’t surprised her if she got her generous spirit from Rarity. All was well until the smile on Sweetie’s face fell. “I forgot, we can’t go home yet. My parents sent me out to buy milk.” “Then let’s not waste anytime!” Ollie exclaimed. “To the cows!” Ollie extended his wing and allowed Sweetie to lead the way. Together they walked the streets of Ponyville together under the yellow sun while he whistled a catchy jazz tune. “What’s that you’re singing now?” “I made it up just now. I don’t have a name for it, though.”
