//------------------------------//
// What is a Being? 
// Story: Beasts and Beings - Stories of Equestria's Inhabitants 
// by Strongbolt Stonewing 
//------------------------------//

	Obviously, before you read a book on beings, you have to understand what a being actually is.

Didn't you say that in the last chapter?

Your point being...?

Oh, um, nothing. Anyhow, if you've read the previous chapter, which I seriously advise...

...because we're not explaining all that again...

...you should know how to classify a 'Beast' and hold a basic understanding of the history of Animal classification.

As stated previously, the 'Beast and Beings' Act of 1973 determined what a 'Beast' is. 

However, it also stated that creatures, regardless of whether or not they pose a threat, that possessed the ability to communicate through a language made up of actual words (as a pose to variations of animal noises) and is able to structure a basic society is classified as a 'Being'.

That was the defining point for Beasts, Beings and Animals. The day their natures were finally decided.

An example of a Being is a Changeling (explained further in a later chapter), which, although ruthless, does in fact possess the ability of speech (dependant on state, will explain later) and does make up part of a society, even if it's a poorly run one.

Well, I suppose that's all for the explanations of Beasts and Beings, for anypony wondering why we chose to write a book only on Beasts and Beings, the answer is simple: Animals are just too boring.

I think we're going off-topic here.

Agreed, so, without further ado, let the stories begin...