//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: A Pony Bedtime Story 
// by Woodspony 
//------------------------------//

 In a cozy cottage in the pleasant town of Ponyville, lived a five year old filly named Buttercup-Blossom. She lived in the cozy-cottage with her mommy, Strawberry-Blossom. Buttercup had a green coat, an orange mane and tail, and blue eyes. Strawberry was of course red, with quite a few freckles and a green mane and tail. Buttercup-Blossom had been out searching for her cutie-mark all day with some help from The Cutie Mark Crusaders.Try as they might though, they just couldn't figure out her special talent. Buttercup was disappointed, but the CMC each gave her an encouraging pat on the back, and told her they'd try again tomorrow. Buttercup ran along home, knowing that it was near time for supper.

Strawberry-Blossom had made a cheese and carrot and celery quiche (with some cyan and cinnamon for flavoring). Buttercup told her all about the things she had done that day. She voiced her concern over not being able to find her special talent. Her mother smiled, and told her to be patient. Everypony found their special talent eventually. It would come to her one day, when she least expected it. Buttercup was still sad about not getting her mark, but she knew she could keep trying till she found her special talent.

Soon it was time for Buttercup to get ready for bed. She brushed all her teeth, and combed out her mane, and checked her flank one more time to see if anything had appeared. When she saw that it was still blank, she sighed and walked to her room. That is of course, after she got a small glass of water. When she was snug under the covers, her mother tucked her in and gave her a kiss.

"Goodnight my sweet one" said Strawberry.

Buttercup was baffled beyond belief. "What about a story?"

Now if truth be told, Strawberry-Blossom had the truly tantalizing task of a tower of taxes to tend to. But she smiled and sat on the soft silk sheets, and started her story. The story, well it was really a poem, went something like this.

"In the still of eve
in the dark of night
bathed in the waters of the pale moonlight
the colts and the fillies
lay down to sleep 
and drift off to dreamland
with nary a peep

With the calming guidance
of Luna's hooves
they'll dream of good times
and of ponies they love

When Celestia's sun
goes to sleep for the night
Luna saves foals
from dreams filled with fright

She keeps them all safe
oh yes it is true
but I'm sure if you need her
she'll come visit you

If you hear a monster
go bump in the night
Luna will be there
to make everything right

If the dark ever scares you
you need only shout
and Luna will come
to sort everything out

And if you should ever
believe her words stark
remember she once
was alone in the dark

For frightened young foals
afraid of a nightmare 
here's what Luna may bring
to make them feel less scared

In the still of eve
in the dark of night
bathed in the waters of the pale moonlight
the colts and the fillies
lay down to sleep 
and drift off to dreamland
with nary a peep

They'll dream of streams
with swift running water
and of woodland critters
that go pitter-patter

They'll dream of squirrels and of bunnies
that scamper and scurry
and of birds flying fast
so fast that they're blurry

They'll dream of sweets
of bright sunny skies
and of parties so fun
with a pony named Pie

They'll dream of cakes
with frosting so sugary 
and of pies from the oven
all filled up with blueberries

They'll dream of large fields
for running around
and of apples for munching
sold by the pound

They'll dream of hard work
and of pulling their weight
but when it's time to have fun
they won't hesitate

They'll dream of books and of studies
well some of them will
and of kind Cheerilee
who teaches life skills

They'll dream of reading and writing
of what they might learn
and of math and the science
of how fires burn

They'll dream of bright colors
of dresses so fine
and of gems by the hundreds
brought up from the mines

They'll dream of tea and of crumpets
so fancy and cultured
and of Canterlot galas
with chilly ice sculptures

They'll dream of adventure
of fighting off monsters
of Hydras and giant
carnivorous lobsters

They'll dream of far away lands
and what they might find
perhaps buried treasure
if given the time

They'll dream of their marks
of what they might be
and their untapped potential
their true destinies

In the still of eve
in the dark of night
bathed in the waters of the pale moonlight
the colts and the fillies
lay down to sleep 
and drift off to dreamland
with nary a peep

So dream my sweet foal
for this day is done
dream as you wait
for Celestia's sun

Dream your sweet dreams
and remember to trust
that Luna will watch
because she loves us

Dream of the kindness
you have received
and always have faith
that I'll never leave

Dream of the laughter
that fills all your days
and tell all the bad thoughts
to go far away

Dream of your friends
so loyal and fearless
I'm sure they'd help out
if things went amiss

Dream of the generous 
things you can do
for ponies who are
less well off than you

Dream that you're loved
well I'm just being honest
yes it's true you are loved
in that you can trust

Dream of family and friendship
of beauty and magic
I can't think of a rhyme
but that is not tragic




In the still of eve
in the dark of night
bathed in the waters of the pale moonlight
the colts and the fillies
lay down to sleep 
and drift off to dreamland
with nary a peep"

THE END