The Adventures of Hoss Wild the Cowpony: Beginning

He came via the train that went through the center of Ponyville. He had a saddlebag that contained a lasso, a few carrots, some bits, and a musty old picture. His brown mane was a little lighter than his dark brown skin. The average sized colt looked around at his new surroundings. His name was Hoss Wild, a cowboy rancher from the western plains near Appleloosa. His brow was wet with sweat from the heat of the day and his mane was a little soppy from absorbing it. Hoss had to sit with the luggage where there was no breeze; he only had 15 bits to his name and wanted to save them for food or lodge. As he looked around he saw a tree cottage and read the sign in his mind, Library.”He walked up to the door and knocked with his hoof. No answer. He tried again and waited for a minute. With still no answer, Hoss walked away to find a pony. He then came across a pink pony with curly pink hair. He cleared his throat and began,

“Excuse me, can I ask you something?”

“AHHHHHHHHHH,” the pink pony exclaimed and bolted away.

Hoss looked confused, “Okay? That was weird.” Hoss then walked on and came across a blue pony with a blue and white mane.

He asked, “Pardon’ me ma’am, I’m a new colt in this town and I’m looking for work. Do you know where Sweet Apple Acres, the farm, is?”

She smiled and pointed, “Yeah it’s right down that way.”

“Much obliged ma’am, have a nice day,” Hoss responded and walked down the road.

Hoss looked around and smiled as he saw the ripe apples hanging from the trees. The air had a sweet scent that wafted through the breeze. He continued on the dirt path and saw the homestead up on the hillside.

All right I have to put my best hoof foward, make a good impression. I can mess up my chance for a new life.

He came up to the main house and knocked on the door. An old yellow pony came hobbling to the door

“Yez, may I help you?”

“Howdy ma’am, my name is Hoss Wild, I’m a farmer from the plains out by Appleloosa and I was wondering if you had any work needed for the summer and fall harvest?”

The yellow pony smiled and said, “Aw a fellow rancher, well now come in come have some fritters and tea, I don’t work much on the harvest nowadays but when Applejack and Big Macintosh come in we can talk about work. My name is Granny Smith but y’all can call me Granny.”

The house was very clean and quaint. The walls covered in picture frames with photos, some in black and white, other in color.

A little filly with a rosy red mane came running in, “Granny, Granny, who’s this?” Hoss backed up as she approached him in excitement.

Hoss was confused and smiled awkwardly, “Howdy, I’m Hoss Wild, I was here looking for work during your harvest here at Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Hi Mr. Wild. My name’s Apple Bloom,” then she ran outside yelling back to Granny Smith, “Granny I’m going to a Crusaders meetin’ I’ll be back later, bye!”

Granny Smith yelled back, “Alright, y’all be careful and be back before supper.” She turned back to her new visitor. “Now please Mr. Wild, sit down.”

Hoss sat and said, “Thank you ma’am and you can call me Hoss.”

Granny Smith brought back a hot apple fritter and a glass of sweet tea, “So what brings you here Hoss, besides work and all?”

Hoss glanced at his saddlebag with a frown and thought about the picture.Do not give yourself away Hoss

“Aw you know, it’s a long story, I don’t need to bore you with the details Granny Smith.”

“Nonsense I’m all ears,” she replied insistently.

Hoss panicked, looking around frantically, and said the first thing that came to his mind, “May I use the bathroom?!?!”

An awkward moment occurred as the two ponies exchanged fake smiles.

Granny Smith smiled, “Aw the tea went right through you, and it may have been my special tea for me, its right down that hall there.”

Hoss trotted quickly to the bathroom. He looked in the mirror, ran his hooves through the water, and splashed his face. He took in a deep breath and tried to fight back the tears that began to soak his eyes. Be strong, they won't find you out unless you keep it together. He then heard a dog bark followed by a mare who called out, “Winona, slow down you silly dog! Granny we’re back!”

Hoss collected himself and went out to meet the new ponies. Granny Smith was with two ponies, an orange filly with a cowboy hat covering her blonde mane and a large red stallion wearing a large yoke who had a dirty blonde mane.

Granny Smith pointed to Hoss, “this ‘ere is Hoss Wild, a rancher near Appleloosa, he’s here looking to help you two with the fall harvest.”

“Howdy Mr. Wild. My name’s Applejack and this here is Big Macintosh, but we just call him Big Mac for short.”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac said.

Applejack took off her hat, “So y’all are looking for work, we could use the extra hand, but why are you here and not on your homestead?”

Hoss forced a smile, “I um...needed a change in scenery form Appleloosa.”

Applejack looked back at Hoss, “Uh huh? Well how long have you been a rancher?”

“Since I was a baby colt, my family and I grew all sorts of things; apples, carrots, hay, wheat you name it we grew it ma’am.”

Applejack smiled and said, “ I see, and call me Applejack, no need for this ma’am business, and as for work come back tomorrow and we’ll put you to work, you’ll get 8 bits an hour, any questions?”

Hoss smiled, “No ma’am I uh... I mean Applejack.”

Applejack smiled back, “Alright Hoss, see you early tomorrow mornin’, need a place to stay?”

Hoss replied, “Oh, no I have a place I’m staying at, but thank you. Well I best be going now, see y’all tomorrow morning.”

Hoss grabbed his saddlebag and left as the ponies waved good-bye and closed the door. Hoss started his way back to town as the sun was beginning to set. He walked down the dirt road a bit, then looked around and ran into the apple orchard. When he was deep enough, he sat down and unpacked his saddlebag. He laid down his head on the coiled up lasso and ate some apples from the trees. He took the picture out of the saddlebag and began to tear up. As night came he heard the timber wolves howl in the distance. He lay there, starring at the night sky full of stars and felt the warm gentle breeze blow across his face. He then drifted into sleep with the sweet smell of apples, thinking about the life he had lost.