//------------------------------// // Soft Rains // Story: The Fortune Cookie and Other Tales // by -TheStoryteller- //------------------------------//  “If this drought doesn’t clear up soon, it’s going to be a hungry winter,” said the unicorn farmer. He wiped his brow and looked at his wife, who bore an equally worried expression as they both stared out over their fields. Their crops had all but wilted, though they’d spent every working hour giving them what water they could dredge up from the local creek. Which itself was drying up. They two, Corn Shucks and his wife Wheaty, were some of the lucky ones, as they only had to go a few hundred yards to a water source. Still, it was hard work dragging bucket after bucket to their fields, even with their magic, only to have the thirsty ground swallow up their offerings as soon as they were poured. As Corn Shucks poured the last bucket over their plants they heard movement and looked up to see the town’s mayor approaching. “Howdy do, neighbors,” said he as he trotted up. They both just nodded, each too tired and too worn out for a proper greeting. The unicorn mayor adjusted his glasses and said, “I see your crops ain’t doin’ much better than anypony else’s.” He looked up at them and added, “Come to the town hall tomorrow afternoon. We may have a solution.” Corn Shucks frowned. “Unless you got some pegasi hidden away somewhere that can make it rain, I don’t see what else can help.” The Mayor grimly smiled. “Now, now…you know we ain’t got no truck with their kind…them earth ponies neither. Just come to the town hall tomorrow.” Corn Shucks looked at his wife and sighed. “Sure, why not. Can we bring the fillies?” “A-course! Bring the whole family; they’ll be needed.” The farmer raised an eyebrow. “ ‘Needed’? What do you mean?” The Mayor just smiled and said, “You’ll see.” With that, he tipped his hat to the missus and left. The next day, bright and early, the farmer and his family made their way to the Town Hall. There, everypony in town had gathered, and the Mayor was just stepping forward to the impromptu stage and cleared his throat. "Greetings, everypony. I'm sure you're all wondering why I asked you here." He took a moment and stared around at the assembled gathering, then cleared his throat again. "It's very simple: we need to do something about this drought, or we'll all starve this winter." He paused again, then took a step forward. "Who here wants things to change?" This was met with a chorus of affirmations, then one cried, "What can we do?" The Mayor held up a hoof for silence, then said, "Our ancestors were laughed at by the other tribes, Nopony thought a bunch of unicorns could ever be good farmers, but we showed 'em! My great-great grandfather started this community, and I'll be damned if I let it just fade away! We need to return to the old ways, and they had a way to guarantee good rain when we most need it! That time is now." "But"...and here he paused, "we need a volunteer. One pony and his family who love this town more than anything, who won't let us starve." He paused and took off his glasses and looked down, and a hush fell over the assembled. He raised his head and said, "Who will come forward?" Some of the eldest ponies blanched but held their tongues. All others murmured among themselves until one pony stepped forward. Corn Shucks raised his voice and said, "I and my family will volunteer. Just tell us what we have to do." The Mayor looked down at him, then smiled. "You're a good neighbor, friend. We'll meet you all at midnight, at your farm." He smiled again. "It's a fine thing you all are doing for this community." Corn Shucks exchanged a look with his wife. "What exactly are we doing?" "You'll see." Under a full Moon Corn Shucks and his family waited for the Mayor to show up. They were all filled with curiosity as to how exactly meeting at their farm could do anything to stop the drought, but they did not have long to wait. Soon, through the trees and down the path, they could just make out the forms of the Mayor and several other townsponies bearing large bags in thier magic making their slow way onto his farm. The Mayor smiled as he trotted up, then turned to look at the Moon. "Just a few minutes before midnight...right on time." He smiled again. Corn Shucks came forward. "Well, we're all here. Just what are we supposed to do?" The Mayor made no answer as he motioned the ponies behind him forward. They came swiftly, bearing ropes, and despite their protests, soon had the family trussed and helpless. "What's going on?! Why are you doing this?!" cried Corn Shucks. He looked around frantically as he noticed the ponies with the bags set them down, and all began removing large stones. "What are those for?!" The Mayor betrayed a look of sadness, but his voice was steady. "I just want to thank you and your family for what you're about to do," he slowly said. He turned and looked at the ponies behind him, then nodded. Corn Shucks screamed, "Wait!!" but it was too late. Using the stones again and again, the family was soon reduced to bloody pulps. Only when they were all quivering messes did they stop. As the Mayor and the townsponies stopped to catch their breath, the Moon was obscured by thick clouds. Soon, it began to rain.