Fluttershy's Nature Show

The camera clicks on as the pair make their way underneath a a large sign over a gate. "Didgeri's Kangaroo and Wallaby Farm," it reads in big dark letters. Sure enough, a quick scan of the horizon shows that dozens, perhaps even hundreds of kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos are running around the place, moving about the tall grasses and resting under shade trees.

"How do you know this guy, again?" asks Twilight, looking around again. The only buildings nearby are the ones on the farm, and her tone indicates that she feels a bit uneasy about that.

"He's Ditsy's cousin," answers Fluttershy, keeping her back to the camera. "But you'd be shocked to know that they're almost nothing alike. They don't look similar in the slightest, they have different temperaments, different interests, different jobs; the only thing they share is ancestry. He came to visit the Canterlot gardens once, to see to an injured Wallaroo. I was also investigating this injured critter, and we ended up swapping contact information."

"And he just lives out here, away from anypony else. Don't you think that's a little weird?"

Fluttershy turns around, disappointment rather clearly written all over her face. "I live out away from Ponyville. Applejack runs a farm out away from Ponyville. Didgeri Doo might live further from the beaten path, but that doesn't make him a bad person. I'm surprised at you."

Twilight sighs behind the camera. "You're right, I'm sorry. I'm just a little creeped out, personally. Maybe it's unfounded, just a gut feeling."

With a nod of approval, Fluttershy continues down the long driveway. As this is a pretty big farm, the best place to put the buildings, whether silos, sheds, barns or residences, is pretty close to the center so that one could move freely around the outside. This means that there is a long track right up the middle of the property going from the front gate up to the farmhouse. It's a brisk five-minute walk as they make their way up to the center.

On arrival, the camera falls on a very tall, very dark stallion in a red plaid shirt carrying a large bag on his shoulder. It's hard to tell if he's dark brown, dark red or dark blue, due to the lighting changing every time he's in a different frame, but he's very dark in colouration. "Fluttashai?" he calls out when he sees her, dropping his bag on a handcart. "Its been so long. How ya goin'?"

"I've been well," Fluttershy answers, giving him a small, platonic hug. "We're here to film that nature show I told you about."

"Yea, youa lettah said somethin' about that. I don't completely understand, but my biggest concern is for my kangaroos. I'm pretty shua that they'll be safe in youa hands, but I'd like to heah it outright."

Fluttershy nods. "Didgeri, you have my word. I will not knowingly or intentionally cause any harm to any of your kangaroos. I would never. The whole point of this is to bring the wonders of the animal kingdom to the common colt and filly, and make them care more for the critters around them."

Didgeri Doo smiles. "Tha's good." He picks up the yoke on the hand cart and begins pulling it out into the fields. "Now, If theya's anathing you'd like ta know, I'd be willing to help you out. I'm an open book. Ask me anathing."

"Why kangaroos?" asks Twilight. "There's lots of animals in the world. What drew you to raising kangaroos?"

"Wallabies, actually," corrects Didgeri. "The kangaroos ah actually just more profitable to raise, but wallabies ah what I set my focus on. Theya just so cute."

"Aren't they?" smiles Fluttershy. "Can you tell me about their eating habits?"

"It's actually pretty easy. Since they'a herbivorous, all I have ta do is make shua that theya's enough foliage fo' them ta eat. Honestly, keepin' up with theya watah is way moa difficult, and still not all that 'ard."

"How difficult is it to handle their water?"

"I have a pond off to the south, and as long as I keep it full and clean, no problem. Lots of plumbing going inta that, but simple as just flip a switch when she's too low and flip it again when she's all well and good."

"That's it?" asks Twilight. "I thought there was more to it."

Didgeri shakes his head. "Nope. Real low maintenance, at least when it comes ta feedin' and waterin'. It's theya personalities that cause the most trouble."

"Their personalities?"

"Roos, at least. The males can be a little aggressive towahds each other. You evah see two roos up on their tails, kickin' each othah with theya back legs? Theya's a reason they do that. And that's all on the males, the females don't do that, and that's a good thing. Don't wanna hurt the li'l joeys, aftah all."

"What's the reason?" asks Twilight.

Having reached their destination near the edge of the pond, Didgeri sets down the cart, opens a bag, and pulls out a large rotary device and a small pail. "Theya tryna' rip each othah's nahds off," he said finally.

"But they always seemed to be aiming too high for that," says Twilight quizzically. "Are their... reproductive organs really that high up?"

"Just the nahds," nods Didgeri. "The penis is right where you would expect."

"Let's change the subject," says Fluttershy in a pushy tone, having been silent for a bit. "This is a show for kids, remember? We should probably not focus on how they are conceived."

"I disagree," objects Didgeri. "I think it best that all the little ones learn all there is ta learn about caring for creatures, and the shape of theya body and how to make moa of them is an important part of that. But, since you insist, let's talk about theya food again."

"Well, not again," adds Twilight. "If you have something more to say about it, I'll listen to that."

"Well, that's what I was drivin' at," winks Didgeri, waving at the device. "Every so often, when the grass goes very thin, I like to load this thing up with grass startah and walk it around the thin patches. It's a strong mix that provides a lot of fibah for them. Good fo' theya colons."

Just as Twilight starts following Didgeri off to watch the spread of the seed starter, a few kangaroos begin to approach Fluttershy. They're mostly just curious, but seem friendly enough. "You two go ahead," she says. "I'll stick around here and build up a rapport with these fellas."

"Suit yourself," shrugs Twilight, setting down some of her equipment on the handcart.