Waking up with a yawn, Zecora stretched her forehooves feeling her back and neck pop. It had been a long flight. She had just caught the tail end of the stewardess' announcement that the airship was landing. Looking out of the port-side window, Zecora saw the ground slowly getting closer. In the distance she spotted the mountains where her home village was hidden away in a cozy valley. She remembered how she used to climb to those peaks when she was a young filly and saw the vastness of the world surround her, how she wanted to see what was beyond that far horizon. It brought a sense of nostalgia to her. This was where she had come from, where she had started. It was from here that she started on her long journey and after so many years she had come home. It felt so nice to be back. A part of her wondered why she had ever left in the first place, but she already knew that answer before she fully formed the question in her mind. There was one reason and it would be waiting for her at the air field.
At the top of the mobile stairway, Zecora looked around. The area around the airship was closed off for safety while the vessel landed. Now that it had touched down, zebras, ponies and other creatures approached it intent on meeting the passengers with open hooves. That was when she spotted somezebra just beyond the fence. Her mother. The older zebra did not wave. Apart from a slightly raise in her eyebrows she did not really acknowledge seeing Zecora. It was not that her mother was unhappy to see her, it was just that she expressed it differently than most.
"Any bags, ma'am?" An earth pony asked, gesturing to a row of bags lined up along the grass.
"Yes, my good lad, this one's my bag," Zecora replied pointing to a small, dark orange duffel bag that she constantly used when exploring the Everfree Forest. It was not that she was allowed to carry it on board the flight, it was just that she did feel like hassling with it. After all, the two day journey on the High Flyer was eventful enough. It was a smaller, faster vessel than some of the ones used on the more major routes around the globe.
"May I see your ticket, please?"
Zecora complied and revealed her ticket stub, the numbers matching with the tag on the bag.
"Thank you, ma'am. Welcome to Zebrica. Enjoy your stay."
"We shall have to wait and see," Zecora politely replied, "so I will not give you a guarantee."
The earth pony nodded and turned his attention away from her to a pony couple behind her.
Inhaling a sigh, Zecora had postponed the inevitable long enough. She had to face the music, or in this case, her mother. She walked to the fence and saw her mother staring at her from beyond it.
"Hello mother dearest, how do you do? I like how the day's light shines upon you."
"Cut the crap. You know I can't speak Equestrian," Zecora's mother replied in their native tongue.
Zecora sighed inwardly. Blunt as always.
"I know, mother. I just thought that-" Zecora replied in her mother's tongue, her accent just a tad off.
"Well, stop assuming things. It makes an ass out of you and me." The mother then gestured for her to come around the small fence.
Zecora sheepishly walked through a small opening and towards Zarani. At once she was sized in a tight embrace by her mother. She hugged her fiercely. As annoying and cold as she was on the outside, Zarani was wonderful mother. There was never any doubt in Zecora's mind that her mother would always be there. She just wished that her heart and the rest of her body could communicate properly, especially her mouth. That sharp tongue hurt. She would know. It eventually drove her away.
"Come. We have much to catch up on."
"Yes, mother."
Despite the many changes that had happened over the years, the one thing that she had wished the most to improve was the one thing that was not. The bus ride was slow and painful. The driver seemed to enjoy driving over every speed bump he could come across. Even after all these years, the roads in the mountains were still the same. Rough and full of holes. It would have probably been faster walking than riding and if it wasn't for the distance, that might have been an option.
It was still a long way to go before they would reach their village, much to Zecora's dread.
Nothing much had changed this far away from the city: Neighrobi. That was probably due to the dense jungle. Although many local tribes lived in these areas, hidden deep inside the rainforest off the road, most ponies either lived within the city limits or far away. Most of the local population preferred to remain in the same village for their entire lives, unwilling to venture far from their birthing grounds, as was Zebrican tradition. Very few ever left their villages, unless it was a mare that married out of their current village, in which case they would move to their husband's. After all, a zebra herd was called a 'harem' in Equestrian.
The concept never appealed to Zecora. Sharing a mate just did not appeal to her, although most of her friends and family had done so. She guessed that it was because of her mother, who made it abundantly clear to her father that she would not allow another mare into her household. Zarani was an oddity, and other zebras loved and loathed her for it. Eventually her father left them and settled in another village. She had never seen him since, and after they way he had up and left, didn't want to.
"How is everyone?" Zecora asked, trying to make conversation. They had been sitting in silence for the past two hours.
Zarani raised her eyebrows, an obvious attempt to discern whether or not Zecora had ulterior motives for asking such a question. It was not her mother's fault, just after so many years as Chief Adviser, listening out for ulterior motives was part of her job.
Satisfied that the question was a genuine one, Zarani spoke. "Our village has changed in many ways since you last saw it. Perhaps you will favor staying here from now on..."
Zecora tried not to show her surprise at this, but her instincts failed her. Growing up under the hoof of Zarani the Snarky was difficult. Every time Zecora wanted to do certain things she needed to use her wits and charm. She had grown good at hiding her intentions, using speech to get the information she needed and convincing others to do what was needed. That was also including learning how to be a top notch medicine-mare, traveling far and wide in an effort to learn more. More of what, she could not decide. There was so much knowledge.
Her thoughts suddenly filled with a particular lavender unicorn back home, and how they were very much alike. Seekers of knowledge to better themselves and their kind.
"Nay, mother. I have only come because your letter said you wanted me to. You said something that could not wait and my presence was... required." Zecora strategically looked into her mother's eyes, trying to see any tells there. The mare's face was as if she had been carved from stone. Not a single muscle twitched, not a breath out of pace. Apart from a few jerks in response to the bouncing of the bus, she was as still as a statue.
Zarani was not looking at her daughter. She didn't need to. She could see her clearly in the reflection of the metal bar in front of her that made up the backrest of the seat in front of her. Slowly, she turned to face Zecora, "It is, but it isn't because I want you to help me in matters of politics and inter-tribal matters. It's because the chief, a young zebra much too young to be a chief, is... problematic. My powers of... persuasion are not the right kind to convince the young chief the error of his ways. That is where you come in."
"Me? Talk to the chief directly?" Zecora replied, stunned.
Her village might have been tiny compared to some of the cities across the world, but it was still sizable enough. The chief of her village was in charge of the Pundamilia tribe, the largest of all the mountain tribes. So big, in fact, that half the southern face of the mountain was unofficially their territory. Unofficially because Zebrica, like Equestria, had an official central government. The government rarely involved itself in the local communities, leaving that to the tribes themselves.
"You gave yourself away, daughter. Equestria has made you soft."
Zecora swore under her breath. She had been so careful until just that moment. This was one of the main reasons for her leaving her village. It was the main reason why she left the village. Her mother never stopped working. Ever.
"You and I both know that Equestria is not like Zebrica. There are differences and ponies there do not judge me based on how I am alone. I have been adopted into their fold. Accepted as a member of their community. I have grown up and have a family of my own..."
Her mother let out an audible gasp that alerted half the zebras on the bus. "You have foals?"
Zecora's face lit up, "Nay, nay, mother. Not that kind of family. A family of good friends in a wonderful village. I... I am not ready for family yet."
"Remember your mother when you decide to claim a stallion for your own. I would very much like to meet whomever it is." Zarani eyes twinkled knowingly, "By the way your cheeks shine, my dear, I would venture you have somezebra on your mind, or even perhaps somepony?"
That made Zecora's eyes shift downwards, "W-what makes you say such a thing, mother?"
For the first time since she had arrived, Zarani laughed, "If I do not know my own daughter, then I would be a very poor mother indeed. Let us put aside the Game for now. Tell me, who is this pony that makes your heart beat faster?"
The Game. Zecora had always hated to the way her mother would refer to the manipulations of others as a game. It was not that she did not understand it nor its necessity, she just hated how her mother was so good at it. It made talks like this especially rare. Zecora knew that her mother would only lower her guard because she was the only zebra that she trusted unquestioningly.
"Please, mother. I cannot tell you because... I haven't told... him."
Zarani laughed, "And I do hope to hear pleasant news in the future then. Come, this is our stop."
The bus finally turned into the tiny bus stop. That was when she saw the banners and flags on display along with half her village cheering. 'Welcome home Zecora', one read carried by two little fillies who were beaming with joy. Zecora's heart leaped to her throat and as soon as the bus stopped, jumped out and knelt as the two girls ran to her throwing themselves onto the mare.
"Auntie Zecora!" they squealed and showered her in kisses. "Welcome home!"
"Zulafa! Zanna! My have you two grown!"
The two girls giggled, took a step back and sung out: "Welcome back to home today, 'Aunti Zecora's back!' we can say!"
Zecora clopped her hooves together, "Very good! Very, very good. You're learning Equestrian. My, my, you'll be speaking it better than me in no time."
"It is hard to learn, but it is also very fun," Zana said blushing a little reverting back her mother tongue. Then, she clearly said in Equestrian: "Sometimes it is hard to remember all the words."
Zecora laughed, "When teacher Zaku taught me, he taught me to speak in rhyme so that it helped me remember many words that I would otherwise forget."
Zulafa nodded, "Teacher Zaku says that we are better and faster at learning than anyzebra has been before!"
"That means they learn faster than you," Zarani pointed out standing behind her daughter. They both shared a gentle laugh. "Come. Let us go home."
The way home had changed. The village was much bigger now, and many of the streets were different. The old well where she used to collect water from as a filly now had a large windmill built on top of it. To the side a fountain constantly poured water out into a large pool. The zebras brought their pots to fill their water before carrying it away on their backs. She noticed that there were some pipes leading to a few select houses but did not comment. There was still a very strict heirarchy here. Older members of the village would have more comforts than those that were new. You had to earn your place in the village and that gave you more comforts.
The hut where Zecora grew up in was still the same. It had not changed at all in all the time she had been gone. It looked out of place considering the houses that now surrounded it, but Zarani did not mind. She was only one zebra after all, what need did she to have a larger abode?
Once inside she took a deep breath. The place smelt of home. She closed her eyes and savored it for a moment before stepping out of the way for her mother to enter.
"Are you hungry? I can make something, if you like."
"Nay, mother. I am not hungry. Come, let us catch up. It has been a while since we talked."
"So be it. Come, let us grab some chairs and sit outside. Today is a pleasant one and we should make the most of it. We do not have the luxury your Equestrians possess in regards to controlling the weather."
They put two chairs just outside the house and basked in the afternoon sun. The zebras that had greeted them at the bus station were now off doing their own things. A few had stopped by for some idle chat, but after a while they were left alone.
"Mother, you still have not told me what was so urgent that I needed to return post haste."
Zarani sipped on a cup of tea before placing the cup carefully on the chair's arm. She looked up at the sky's fading light and blinked a few times.
"I was fired."
"What?" Zecora could not believe her ears, "But why?"
"Because I refused to acknowledge the chief's stupidities. He has begun to think that the only way for our tribe to flourish is to emulate the Equestrians you revere so much."
"Mother, the Equestrians are not bad. How is emulating them so wrong?"
"It is not their actions that concern me, my dear. No. It's something else. Something..." she could not find the right words. "He went to the Grand Galloping Gala last year. A special invite to all the large tribes across Zebrica were invited. I did not go because it was time for Zolona's foal to being her new life-"
"Zolona has a foal?" Zecora asked, her eyes bulging from their sockets, "But... but she's so young."
"She came of age a long time ago. It was hard finding her a mate as she was as stubborn as her mother. Refused to marry out of the village! She wanted to remain here. Luckily for her, Zall's harem was open to yet another. That is besides the point however."
Zecora felt her years in that moment. Zolona was two years her junior while in school and she was now married with a foal. She would need to congratulate her later.
"So, you were invited for the Gala and you did not go?"
"Nay, daughter. I was to come as part of the chief's entourage. Our mid-wife is getting on in her years and does not have the strength she once did when she aided me during your birthing. A new mid-wife must be taught and soon. Perhaps I might aid, but with more and more zebras joining this village, I am afraid that one mid-wife will be insufficient."
"Is that why you called me here? To help mares birth their foals?" Zecora asked incredulously.
Zarani bit her lower lip. That meant she was very annoyed, so Zecora wisely silenced herself and waited for her mother to continue.
"As I was saying, after the chief returned from the Gala he was obsessed with Canterlot and has been trying to make our village emulate the great city. It started off well enough. Running water to some of the village, a proper system to dispose of waste, a larger school to accommodate our growing population and a post office to send and receive mail. Noble and geared for the community."
That did not sound bad to Zecora, but she remained silent. There was more.
"After returning he imposed a tax. While I thought that the returns from this were to go to improving our community, I was wrong. The chief wants to use it to built himself a palace like the one in Canterlot. While our kind will gladly help him do this the problem has been his obsession with thrones."
"Thrones?"
"Yes. Thrones. Last week we had built him a larger throne to replace his small wooden stool that his father's father had used. We made it of the highest quality grass. The throne would have fed our people for months and now he wants a new one because it does not match that of the Princesses of Equestria."
"You wish me to talk him out of this throne obsession?"
"As I have been discharged from my post, I cannot advise him. Only those that have been granted leave may have his ear."
"And what makes you think that he'll let me?"
Zarani smiled, "You still have not managed to use your gift of reading between the lines, my dear daughter, or perhaps your long stint abroad has dulled your wits."
Here it was. Her mother was testing her again. Zecora knew that this moment would come, she could not disappoint. She did not want to disappoint. It would be a terrible blow to her as a mother if Zecora could not find the reason she was expecting to hear. She inhaled deeply and let her breath out slowly buying a little time.
"Well?" Her mother looked at her daughter failing to disguise her faltering patience.
"It is because I have lived in Equestria. You know that he will accept me into his confidence because of my time spent there," Zecora replied slowly.
"And?"
Zecora did not expect there to be more. So she decided to go with the obvious. "You wish for me to dissuade him from constructing more thrones?"
Her mother turned to her and smiled. "Wrong," she sung out.
"Wrong?"
"Yes. Wrong. I want you to do the exact opposite. I want you to press his obsession. I want you to take it to the next level. I want you to... convince him that he needs to go bigger."
That confused Zecora. She thought and thought trying to see the conclusion of such a plan, but could not see any save for indulging what seemed to be a poor leader putting his own selfish needs above that of the community. What could her mother be thinking? What was the point of allowing him to continue down a path that had no positive outlook?
"Will you do this, my dearest daughter?"
"I guess... when should I start?"
"Now. You have an audience with the chief this very evening. Wear your finest necklace. After all, you are now going to be part of the Pundamilian Court." Her mother laughed silently to herself as she got up from her seat and retreated into her home.
Zecora sat outside for a few more minutes to absorb what had just happened. She still did not see what her mother was aiming for, so she decided it would be best to just ignore it for now and enjoy the ride. If she did like it she could always leave at some point.
"Welcome, welcome. You are Zarani's daughter? Yes, Zecora. I remember now. How long have you lived in Equestria? I am very eager to be working with you." The chief smiled, "Come inside. I have something to show you."
"Your generosity is too great Chief Zawakuu. I am humbled by your invitation," Zecora bowed formally and entered the chief's home.
Unlike her mother's and most of the other zebra's abodes, the chief's had bamboo walls and woven palm leaves on the roof instead of straw. It certainly was a lot sturdier, but bamboo did not grow in the areas surrounding their village. They were too high up the mountain. It would have had to have been brought from further down. That would mean that every bamboo stick there was imported from a neighboring village. Finally, at the far end of the home and taking up way too much space was the throne in question. It's size practically took up half the space.
The chief climbed aboard and sat himself down. "Now, I want you to tell my everything about Canterlot. It has been so long since I had last seen it. The grand city built high up in the mountains. My wish it to have a city here just like it. Of course, it will take some time, but it will be worth it."
"Please hear me, chief-"
"I would prefer if you called me prince. I am, after all, like royalty am I not? Also, please speak in Equestrian. I tire of our own language, don't you? There is just something very regal about the Equestrian language. How it just... rolls off your tongue."
Zecora bowed her head, "No, my prince. I love the language of my ancestors, but I shall do as you ask." Closing her eyes, she inhaled a breath fighting her natural instinct of giving the chief, or rather 'prince', a piece of her mind. "What is it you wish to know? What about Canterlot that interests you so?"
The prince stared at Zecora for a long moment before bursting out in laughter, "You really do speak in rhyme in Equestrian! I was informed, but I still cannot believe it!"
Hiding her anger, the zebra mare forced out a laugh, "I hope you don't think me rude, but your opinion of me is slightly skewed."
The prince stopped laughing. Then he cleared his throat and continued in impeccable Equestrian, "The reason why I can speak Equestrian so well is because I have been taught by some of the best tutors in all of Zebrica. It was not cheap, but I believe it was worth the investment."
"Where did all this money come from? How was it possible to get that done?"
The chief walked over to a thick chest, "Did you not know? I have levied a new tax to fund matters of the community." He opened it revealing a sizable number of currency.
Unlike the Equestrian form of golden bits, which are round, the Zebrican cedi are small, flat rectangles. One cedi was equal to ten lotis, which were smaller rectangles in silver, and each loti was equal to a hundred bronze rectangles of slightly smaller, but thicker shape. Because of its use and popularity, the bronze coins come by a multitude of names depending on where you are, but Zecora knew it as ariary.
The anger she felt was nearly uncontrollable. This 'prince' had enough currency in his box to allow much of the village live in relative comfort for the rest of their days, yet he was more intent on expanding his madness. Why did her mother want to encourage him to continue? Surely there had to be another way.
"My home is much too small to accommodate my new throne! Therefore I must build! Bigger! Much bigger!" he shouted and spread his hooves open at the ceiling, "I want you to make it so. Your experience with living in Equestria should help you design a home fit for a prince like me. I wish it to be done before the end of the week. Do not disappoint me."
Before Zecora could speak, Zawakuu walked out.
"What is my mother thinking allowing him to indulge in this... madness?"
"You have outdone yourself, Zecora!" the prince exclaimed as he entered his new home. "But you have done so good of a job, my throne no longer fits inside."
"I don't understand what you are talking about. The throne sits inside comfortably without a doubt," Zecora looked at the young prince, "Are you trying to say that this home isn't what you wanted? I should have not taken your taste for granted."
"No, no, no. You've got is all wrong. This is the best house in... in... Zebrica! My home and my throne are unique and beautiful, but the throne does not do justice to a home like this. No. I'm going to have to get bigger. Much bigger! Build me a bigger throne! Take that pile of manure out of here, and spare no cost in building me another."
Zecora bit her lip. She wanted to say something, but she knew better than to talk back to the prince and embarrass her mother. Closing her eyes, she counted backwards from ten and exhaled quietly.
"It shall be done as you ask, this is not going to be a simple task."
"You have till the end of the week," the prince said without looking at her still taking in the newly built room.
She was glad of that. At least he could not see the murderous intent in her eyes.
The week passed by swiftly. She had managed to hire two of her old friends from when she went to school to built the throne. They had gone deep into the forests and selected a tree. Straw would not cut it. It had to be stronger to sustain its own weight and the weigh of the selfish prince. With the final adjustments made, Zecora got some others from the village to move it and place it inside the home. It was heavy. Much heavier than was necessary, but at least now it was here.
"Wonderful! Stupendous!" Walking over to his throne, he placed himself upon it with a look of sheer ecstasy on his face. He slowly opened his eyes and frowned.
"You look troubled, my prince. Does the position of the throne make you wince?" Zecora asked in Equestrian.
The prince sighed, "You've outdone yourself once again, Zecora. With such a wonderful and beautiful throne, my home is now not fit to hold such a magnificent piece. You must rebuilt my home or add to it. Make it bigger!"
"But, my prince, we would need to discard you old throne..."
"No!" the prince shouted, "Never! These thrones are mine! They cannot be used by others. They are mine and mine alone! Would you have another prince or chief sit on my throne?"
"But..."
"No means no! These thrones are rightfully mine! I had them made. Only I may sit upon them!"
"But..."
The prince gave her an ominous look that made Zecora back up a step. It was not because she felt threatened by him. It was because she never imagined someone from her village could act like such a foal.
Forcing herself to remain calm, she nodded and bowed. "It shall be done as you ask. Once again, I will take up this task."
"Good. You are much better than your mother at this. You have until next week. And be sure to find a place to keep my old thrones."
Another week had gone by, another house had been built, this time bigger and stronger than the last.
"Zecora, my new home does not feel like home anymore. It feels... foreign. I do not like it," the prince stated, poking the walls with his hoof. It does not feel right for the Prince of Pundamilia to have a house made with this... whatever it is."
"The wood is the finest in the land, with any other materials your home will cannot stand!" she exclaimed defending all the hard work the village had put in.
"I say it cannot be so, so it cannot be so!" Zawakuu screamed. "Take it down and rebuild it!"
Closing her eyes, Zecora bowed. The prince had surpassed all reason now. She did not have the strength to argue.
"... he is an ass and a pompous jerk!" Zecora moaned as her mother served another portion of soup.
Zarani laughed silently to herself, "Just keep on going. I know how frustrating it is, but it won't be too much longer now."
"I still do not see what you see, mother. Perhaps if you care to shed some light onto this little project you have inside you mind, I would be better at reigning in my temper. He wastes the money he has gotten on his repeated selfish desires and it is hampering our livelihood!"
"Has it, my child? In what way?"
"He keeps on spending his coinage on unnecessary things! Things that could be better used elsewhere. He does not see sense, and I no longer have the capability for him to see reason."
"My daughter, you really are blind to the bigger picture. Come, let me show you."
The two of them took a walk around the village. It was late in the evening and the zebras were mostly at home with their families.
"What do you see?"
"Our people."
"Are our people... suffering?"
Zecora did a double take, "What? No."
"Are our people... angry?"
She had a point. There had not been any complaints or grumblings over the time she had been there. She shook her head.
"Do our people have everything they need to be happy?"
"Yes, mother. I don't understand where you are..."
Then it hit her.
"The money we use to build the prince's projects goes right back into the community. We are giving the money back to those that gave it in the first place!" Zecora smacked herself on the forehead. How could she not see this most obvious of things.
"Just keep going. As I told you earlier, this will not take any longer."
Zecora still did not see the bigger picture, but with her mother's confidence still resolute she decided that she would stick by the elder mare's wisdom and continue.
"Perfect! Perfect! This house is perfect! Where are my old thrones?"
"We have kept them in a room towards the rear. It was the only place we could fit them I fear."
"No! No, no, no! I need all the space I can get. I cannot build outside my land, so you will have to build up! Build upper floors! Yes. That's it. Higher! Go higher! Build more floors, like in the Equestrian Royal Palace. Built it higher! Store the thrones there."
Zecora sighed, "Are you sure that is what you want? You think that this building is not enough for you to flaunt?"
"No! It isn't! More. I want it bigger! Bigger!" His eyes were wide and his breathing deep. He grinned, "I want everyzebra in Zebrica to know me! I want them to see just how great I am! You are going to make them see. You! I will not allow you to abandon this project!"
Zecora did not reply with her voice, and instead bowed her head and watched as the prince left his home.
This time is had taken two weeks instead of one. The building had two floors and the whole thing was build using the finest hay and grass they could spare. With all the money being pumped into the local community, many zebras had gone to nearby towns and bought whatever they required for the upcoming dry season. Three months without rain before the monsoons would return.
The upper floor was where all the old thrones were stored. Essentially an attic.
Prince Zawakuu walked in and nodded. He looked happy until his eyes fell onto his throne.
Even before the prince said anything, Zecora knew the drill. Bigger. Better. She got it.
It had been just over three months since Zecora had arrived. The dry season was coming to an end, and the straw house that stood there was now a straw palace. It was tall, all the thrones still stored in the upper-most level. They had gone through so many different types of thrones, and now prince Zawakuu sat on a throne of stone. It had been the fourth one, the other three were now stored away.
"Zecora, I am pleased. I am very pleased... still..."
"You wish to build an even bigger throne? You do not like the ones in your home?"
"No. Bigger is always better! Bigger. Bigger! Bigger!" he shouted, and began to laugh.
A loud groan suddenly echoed from above them. Everyzebra had heard it, just not Zawakuu who was still laughing. It sounded... sinister.
"Let's get out of here!" one of the other zebras shouted.
"What? Why? Hey, where is everyzebra going? Wait!" but nozebra understood Equestrian, so they fled the palace.
Zecora shouted for the prince to come, but he was still too busy talking about his new throne to listen.
"You stubborn idiot!"
That silenced the prince instantly.
"H-h-how dare you! I'm a prince! You can't talk to me like that! I-I-I..."
Zecora was not having it. This was different. Rushing towards the prince she grabbed him by his tail and dragged him out of the home.
As soon as they left, there was a loud crack, followed by a series of others and finally a loud boom. Zecora turned to see that one of the stone thrones they had stored from above had fallen through the floors of the grass palace, breaking every floor on the down. It had landed directly on top of the newest throne the prince had been sitting in minutes before.
Before either could comment the remaining thrones fell through the floors and collided with the ground. The grass palace could not sustain the sudden shift in weight and along with the extensive damage dealt by the falling thrones, collapsed in a pile of debris. Everyzebra walked out of their houses to see what had just happened.
"Is everyzebra all right?" Zarani shouted.
"Nozebra was hurt," somezebra else shouted.
"Thank the Mother." Zarani walked over to the prince, who was trying to make himself look as small as possible. "Now, I will have words with the so-called 'Prince of Pundamilia', if you do not mind."
Nozebra did.
Zawakuu let out a nervous laugh before being dragged off by Zarani.
"Zecora! How was your trip home? You've been gone for so long! Welcome back!" Twilight shouted as she spotted the mare walking back from the train station.
"Twilight Sparkle my dear friend, it is good to be back - more than you can comprehend."
"How was your mother?"
"Let us talk somewhere private and away from here, preferably at my home as I am tired I fear."
"Lead the way!"
Soon all the Mane Six had come to visit Zecora, along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders and other friends from Ponyville. She had such wonderful friends here. It was nice seeing Pundamilia, but this was now her home. She had told them the tale of the 'Prince of Pundamilia' and how it had all ended.
"Ya see? That's what happens when ya get greedy!" Applejack stated, giving her younger sister a knowing look.
Zecora looked at her friends and smiled, "There's also another lesson I learned from all this. A lesson that we cannot dismiss. A lesson that ought to be engraved on stones," there was a bright twinkle in her eyes.
"Zebras in grass houses shouldn't stow thrones."
Author's Note
I spent several months on a project in Central Africa, during the mid 1990's and visited it many times during the late 1980's during the last few years of colonial rule. This story was made with much reminiscence of that time.
pundamilia - Swahili for Zebra.
wakuu - Swahili for chief (mutated to Zawakuu, which means 'The Chief', although it's a combination of Afrikaans and Swahili)
cedi - currency from Ghana
loti - currency from Lesotho
ariary - currency from Madagascar
