Long Forgotten Memories

2011/09/10

Before I get into the more interesting aspects of my life, I thought it might be important to describe who I am. Or perhaps I just like hearing the sounds of my hooves hitting the keyboard. Probably the latter.

When I was young colt, sometime during the late Triassic, I remember the world was filled with new and exciting places to explore. The regal sisters brought out the sun and moon and life was at harmony. My parents traveled Equestria with a merchant group, moving goods from town to town. We never stayed in any place for long. Maybe a few days. We were there to buy low, sell high, and then on to the next town. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I remember my childhood mostly as a blur. New towns or cities, new fillies and colts to play with, and lots of different food to try. Every village, town, or city had its own unique flavor. I think crêpes are still my favorite. Filled with apples or strawberries or peaches? mmmm…

I think it’s the differences in cultures ponies from different places put together that stuck with me the most. You could start in one city, where, unless you were “high class”, no pony would give you the time of day. A day or so travel later, you could arrive in a village whose ponies had almost nothing, but you were the honored guest. What little food they had was yours.

In my colt years, I learned to buy and sell goods, how to haggle, how to count money and make bartering exchanges. How to pay taxes (yuk). How to avoid taxes (on occasion). How to smuggle goods and ponies(rare, but exciting). All the things a young, merchant-pony-in-training should learn. When we were in a town, I’d help mind the stall and try to sell. While traveling, my parents and some of our friends in the caravan would help teach me new skills or make me practice what I’d already learned.

-W