The golden rays of sunlight gleamed through the apple tree leaves across Sweet Apple Acres. The energetic Apple Bloom ran up and bucked her targeted tree with all her might. To her sorrow, only a few leaves rustled and no apples fell. Apple Bloom frowned, feeling saddened. The yellow pony sighed and laid on the ground with dejected look on her face.
"Ah'll never be able to do it," muttered Apple Bloom. She sighed again. “How can Ah be an Apple if Ah don't know how to buck?" The little pony rolled onto her back and stared up at the tree leaves. A nearby sound caught her attention. Apple Bloom glanced over and saw her big brother, Big Macintosh. He was also helping with Applebuck Season. She saw him do a single buck. Big Mac made every single apple fall off the tree. This made Apple Bloom become even sadder.
"Ah'll never be a real Apple," sighed Apple Bloom.
Applejack must have seen the saddened Apple Bloom, because soon she was trotting toward her sister.
"Apple Bloom," said Applejack giving Apple Bloom a slight nudge, "What in tarnation is bothering you little sister? You’re usually so chipper."
Apple Bloom looked at her sister. "Ah'll never be a real Apple."
"What in tarnation are ya talking?" Questioned a confused Applejack, "Ya are an Apple."
Apple Bloom just sighed and ignored her sister.
"And why aren't ya hanging around with ya friends? Ya know, crusading and all."
"Sweetie Belle is with Rarity at the Canterlot Fashion Expo and Scootaloo went with Rainbow Dash to the Wonderbolts show," sighed Apple Bloom.
"Ah still don't understand that ya so sad. Being able to buck doesn't make ya an Apple." said her sister. "Ya can help with carrying the apple baskets."
"It wouldn't be the same."
"What are ya talking about?"
"Ah can't even buck a tree," said Apple Bloom, "How can Ah help with Applebuck Season…if I can’t buck?"
"Ya really want to buck, don't ya?"
"Eeyup." replied Apple Bloom.
"Nothing will change ya mind?"
"Enope."
Her big sister placed a hoof to her chin and thought for a moment. "Don't ya worry about it," said Applejack giving her sister a smile, "When Ah was a filly, Ah couldn't buck either."
"Really?"
"Eeyup," answered Applejack, "Why even Big Mac had trouble bucking when he was a colt. You should have seen us."
"Really?"
"Eeyup, Ah remember pa yelling at Big Mac to get his head out of the clouds and ta pay attention," her sister explained.
The slight mention of pa had made Apple Bloom depressed, she hadn't remembered pa and ma, mostly because they died when she was a filly. All she knew about them was the old pictures of them around the farm and stories that Applejack, Big Macintosh, Granny Smith and the other Apple relatives told her. Whenever she heard those stories or saw those old pictures it made Apple Bloom wish she could have gotten to know them.
Applejack noticed her sister remained sad. She laid down to face her, "Ah'm mighty sorry about that. Ah forgot ya never got to know pa and ma."
"It's fine," lied Apple Bloom, "So how did ya learn how to buck apple trees?"
"Pa thought me," replied Applejack, "But don't worry, Ah'll teach ya." She winked at her little sister and gave her an encouraging smile.
"Really?" asked Apple Bloom perking up. “You will?"
"Eeyup. Course Ah'll will," said Applejack. Then the two sisters stood up. "Now, show me what ya got."
Apple Bloom nodded and with all her might bucked the same tree once again. Sadly, only a few leaves rustled and still no apples fell. The young earth pony hung her head.
"Well Ah know what ya problem is." Noted Applejack placing a hoof under her chin.
"Really? What is it?" asked the now nervous Apple Bloom.
"Ya not using your hind legs enough. That's why no apples are falling," she explained.
Apple Bloom nodded, but the answer left her a little puzzled. "Uh sis… What are ya talking about?" Questioned a confused Apple Bloom.
"Ah mean when ya go to buck, keep all your weight in your hind legs," said Applejack walking up to a tree. She stood before the tree next to the one Apple Bloom had tried to buck. There she got ready to give it a good bucking. "Just watch! Like this!" Applejack bucked the tree with a mighty kick. This caused several apples to fall out on the ground. Her little sister was amazed by the amount of apples that rained out of the tree.
"Okay sis," said Apple Bloom, "Ah think Ah got it."
"Remember about your hind legs," reminded Applejack.
"Don't worry sis," said Apple Bloom. She walked up to the tree. The young pony hoped the third time would be the charm. There she prepared her hind legs, "Ah just go like this!” With all her might, Apple Bloom bucked the tree. This time, several leaves rustled and quite a few apples fell to the ground.
"YEE-AH!!" shouted Applejack, "Nice job there sis!"
"Ah did it!" exclaimed Apple Bloom in total awe of what she had done. "Ah bucked a tree!"
"And Ah'm might proud of ya."
"Ah did it!" exclaimed Apple Bloom with a joyful grin.
"Way to go there little sister!" Congratulated Applejack putting a hoof on her sister's shoulder. “Didn't now ya had in ya."
"Of course Ah did!" asserted Apple Bloom wearing a grin on her face, "Ah'm an Apple, what do ya expect?"
Applejack laughed, "Sorry if Ah ever doubted ya."
"Ya better be."
"Come on little sister," said Applejack, "since ya know how to buck, ya wanna help lend me and Big Macintosh a hoof with Applebuck Season?"
"Of course!" said Apple Bloom with a bright grin on. "Ah'll love to help you and Big Mac!"
"Well then, what’re ya standing around for, come on."
"Yes ma'am."
The two Apple sisters trotted off happy to assist their big brother with the apple harvest.