I Love to Singa

As 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.”