Maud Pie has studied rocks. She has written poetry about rocks. She has played games with rocks. She has spent great amounts of time among rocks. But she has never been a rock, and now she intends to change that.

But will petrification be all it's cracked up to be?

Fluttershy has always wanted to give more of her kindness towards ponies. However, her shyness impedes her speaking, which makes her hard to express herself. After asking for her help, Pinkie Pie teaches Fluttershy to communicate with physical interactions instead, like hugs.

It works so well that Fluttershy decides to hug every pony in Ponyville.

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Written with the single goal to create the cutest, most heartwarming short story I can imagine (without going romance).

Featured on EQD!

“Oh my dear mother
I love you so
Till seeds turn to trees
With you, I will be.”

Find out the true meaning of the phrase "I would like to be a tree" through an untold part of the train ride to Appleloosa. Because we all need to understand, hardly any phrase is muttered without a story behind it.

Author's Notes

A story I had in my head for a long while now that I'm finally able to write. Inspired by AeronJVL's art (which is the cover art for this story). I hope you guys enjoy! Be sure to leave some comments about what you liked/what you didn't like! I read all of them!

Credits:
Cover Art & Inspiration: Sunshine by AeronJVL

Proofreading by writer and Bronymaster

Fluttershy's kindness to all creatures is legendary in Ponyville. When a freak storm blows in from the Everfree Forest, however, she and her friends discover the limits of compassion, and the dangers of living with your heart wide open to the world.

Twilight Sparkle is a gifted student and scholar. When she attempts to harness her creative side by writing a science-themed sensual romance novel, however, things rapidly get out of hoof. Can her friends stage an intervention before she humiliates herself (and them) at a prestigious literature recital?

No. No, they cannot.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders ask Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy about what happened just after the events of the Cutie Mark Chronicles; specifically, what happened to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash immediately after the race. Reluctantly, Dash and Fluttershy delve into a tale. A tale of a young Fluttershy's amazement at the world she had landed upon, and a filly Dash's desperate quest to save her from that most evil of places: THE GROUND.

"It's called 'Shh'," said Fluttershy. "It's a game about who can be quiet the longest. Sound fun? I'm the world champion."

Fluttershy is not a pony who makes things up. She really is the world champion of "Shh," or The Quiet Game. And now it's time for her to defend her crown, with Twilight Sparkle and Rarity along for the ride.

Three weeks have passed since Twilight Sparkle was crowned a Princess of Equestria; but many things have not changed. For instance, one hour every day, all of the animals at Fluttershy's home take a nap, and she has tea.

One day, though, her routine is spontaneously interrupted by the least spontaneous mare she knows, eager to talk about anything, except what brought on her visit in the first place. Fluttershy is left to wonder: Just what is going on in Twilight's mind, and can she help her unravel it?

10 years ago, a disaster struck. The princesses disappeared without a trace. Without their influence over the skies, the weather grew out of control. I don't know where my friends are. I don't know who my friends are. All I have is my fireplace and Spike.

My name is Twilight Sparkle. And it has been snowing for 10 years

After a long day of flight practice with Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash discovers the filly knows next to nothing about preening and takes it upon herself to teach her.

Warning: May Contain Feels and/or D'aww moments.

Featured on FIMFiction on 7/20/2013. Yay!
Featured on EQDaily on 09/12/2013 Double Yay!
Reading by TheLostNarrator (excellent!): Here
Reading by DRWolf: Here
Reading by Joehighlord: Here
Riffed by Draklox: Here
Korean Translation: Here
Spanish Translation: Here
French Translation: Here
Chinese Translation: Here