The newspaper finally arrived at Sweet Apple Acres that fine morning and Winona took it from the porch to the dinning table, where the Apple family were having their breakfast. The Apples enjoyed a meal of pancakes that Apple Bloom had made. She was not a good chef, but at least her pancakes were edible enough for her family. Granny Smith, since her teeth could not allow her to eat much solids, had to blend her food into a smoothie for her to eat properly. Big Macintosh had a tower of pancakes for himself, because of his hefty appetite. Applejack, on the other hoof, did not mind much her breakfast; she took the news paper from Winona's mouth and patted her head, making the dog bark in delight and sit on the floor, beginning to eat her own breakfast.
Applejack took off the rubber band from the newspaper and began to unroll it, revealing the text that was written on it. The headline news wan not all that important; all it said was that some parasprites began to invade Canterlot, but they were put under control immediately. As Applejack flipped the pages of the newspaper for something interesting to read, she noticed a picture of Ponyville town square. She read the article that was connected to it and, to her surprise, she recognized the name of the writer.
It was Trenderhoof, the young unicorn who had visited Ponyville not too long ago to attend Rarity's Ponyville Gala. She still remembered the headache that he had caused to both her and Rarity, since, at that time, Rarity had a crush on Trenderhoof, but Trenderhoof had a crush on Applejack. Things got awkward that time, and, let's just say, things nearly went downhill for Rarity and Applejack's friendship.
Despite this, Applejack decided to read the article. The title was alluring to her, for some reason: Humble Beauty. She thought that this was referring to Ponyville, being a town founded by Earth Ponies and all, and how Rarity transformed it from a simple village gathering to a gala.
Ponyville, what words can I describe it with? It does not show any glamour, nor does it have anything special. In fact, this small village lies in the edge of the Everfree forest, considered to be one of the most dangerous places in all of Equestria. Why would any pony want to go there? What good can come from this humble little town?
The answer lies in the ponies who live here. Ponyville is a town founded upon the hard work of the ponies living here, most especially the Earth Ponies. Unlike the grand cities like Manehatten, Trottingham, Las Pegasus, Cloudsdale, or even Canterlot herself, Ponyville was built by the same ponies who live there. And they take pride in this, not because their town is well known, but because they have earned it with their own sweat and blood. And even until now, they still work hard to show Equestria what they are made of.
I learned this all through one mare I met. When I first arrived in Ponyville, I met the mare who was in charge of a certain gala in town. I realized how much Ponyville wanted to be acknowledged in the world of fame in Equestria. The mare made efforts to make her village externally beautiful, and I must say, she made a fantastic job at it. However, there was this other mare who caught my attention in Ponyville. She was not elegant, nor did she posses anything of external beauty; she was just a farm girl, who worked hard. It did not become clear to me yet, but for some reason, my heart fell for her. That is right, I fell in love. I wondered to myself, how could somepony as attractive as her be working hard on a farm, bucking apples off trees and plowing fields with the strength that equaled that of a full-grown stallion.
It brought me to think; I have met other mares before, but not one of them would lift a hoof to do corporal work for the sake of her morals, town or country. Their beauty is wasted because they only care about what is externally about themselves. This mare did not think anything of that; all she had in her mind was that she needed to work for a living, and that the beauty of it. It was not because she was beautiful externally, for to my eyes, she really was, but her determination to do what is right for her family, village and friends was what really struck me the most.
Sadly, when I asked her out for that evening's gala, she turned me down. She was not ready to be in a relationship, and I must admit, I fell blindly into love. But if ever I do get the chance to visit Ponyville again, I hope I still see the same beauty I found there. Not the external, but the hard earned.
Applejack was speechless after reading the article. She lowered the newspaper and was surprised to see her family staring intently at her as if she had seen a revelation. The mare twitched an eye and asked them,
"Uh... what are y'all looking at?"
"Ummm, Applejack." replied Apple Bloom. "You haven't touched your breakfast. Don't 'ya like my pancakes?"
"Oh of course I do, sugar cube." she replied, patting her little sister's head.
"Then why haven't you even started eating it?" asked Granny Smith.
"I... uh..." Applejack thought of an excuse; the article she had just read kind of took away her appetite. "I'm not that much hungry. Can 'ya save these for me later?"
"I'm not so sure, AJ." replied Apple Bloom. "Big Mac has been eyeballin' your pancakes ever since he finished eating his stacks."
"Eeyup!" added Macintosh.
"He can have it, then." she said, excusing herself from the table. "I need to go out and get some fresh air."
The cowgirl took the newspaper with her as she left her home, leaving Big Macintosh to help himself with his sister's breakfast. Granny Smith and Apple Bloom watched in annoyance as the hungry stallion greedily took the pancakes off Applejack's plate and gulped it in one bite.
Applejack made her way to Carousel Boutique; she wanted to ask Rarity about the article that Trenderhoof had written. But when she arrived at the boutique, she found Sweetie Belle sitting outside, a bit concerned, sitting on the porch.
"Heya there, Sweetie Belle." she greeted. "Why are you so glum?"
"Hi, Applejack." replied Sweetie Belle. "It's Rarity. She does not seem to be in a good mood to be interrupted right now."
"Let me guess: she's working on a new design of clothing?" Applejack said with a tone of sarcasm.
"To be honest, no." replied Sweetie Belle.
Hearing that, Applejack was surprised. She did not think that Rarity would have any other reason to not be in a good mood. She then asked,
"Then, what's gotten her so upset?"
"She said it was about an article in the newspaper she read." replied Sweetie Belle. "She's kinda upset about the writer, but I'm not sure why."
Applejack blushed, hiding the newspaper she was carrying in her cowgirl hat.
"You don't say..." said Applejack, scrunching her mouth, looking left and right.
"Yeah." replied Sweetie Belle. "If you have anything to say to Rarity, just tell me, and I'll tell her later when she's cooled off."
Applejack took a step back and said,
"Well I was supposed to talk to her confidentially, but I guess I can wait until tomorrow. Thanks, Sweetie Belle."
Applejack then made her leave, saying her goodbyes to the young unicorn, who bade her farewell. She made her way back to Sweet Apple Acres, not knowing what to do next. She still could not get Trenderhoof's words out of her mind. It really felt like they really touched her to the heart. What was also troubling to her was the fact that Rarity was feeling bad because of those same words. She would not want to be the cause of more trouble for her friend.
But for some reason, in Applejack's mind, she felt like she wanted to talk to Trenderhoof.