//------------------------------// // The Test That Taught the Lesson // Story: Grey Little Pony // by Dusty Miller //------------------------------// “All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.” ― Sophocles, Antigone. Princess Luna and Sir Grey appeared on a street in Canterlot. Grey walked a little behind her and to her left. Luna was not in a pleasant mood. She seemed distant and cold even for the Princess of The Night. They entered the central walk to the Royal Palace. It was the centrepiece of Canterlot. The street had two rows of mature cherry trees in full blossom. The trees were ancient. Large pink canopies shaded a long strip of perfectly tended grass.  A slight breeze expanded the treetops and then snowed pink flakes down. Under the foliage, Canterlot ponies picnicked and played games. Luna walked slowly down the center of the lawn and didn’t seem to notice anything around her. Ponies moved out of her way and bowed. Luna spoke without looking at Grey, “I have observed that you have become blasé in your reading assignments. I suspect that you are preoccupied with thoughts of a pretty pony. So I feel a challenge is in order to get your mind back on track. Do you see that cherry blossom petal floating down? You will tell me how your life is like that petal.” Grey was quick to answer, “It’s already dead?” “No.” “Its job is complete?” “No.” “Like me, it has no meaning, no purpose?” “Oh, so very wrong. I ought to scold you for that and fail you on the spot for that answer alone.” “Life is a dance and a battle.” “You’re putting no effort into your answers. My patients have a limit.” With each wrong answer Luna grew more irritated. Her responses became louder. “Do you wish me to abandon my composure in front of all these, witnesses?” Picnicking ponies watched them. Grey hated the attention. The stress made his mind go completely blank. Luna said in frustration, “You have failed this challenge. Make you own way back to the palace.” She flew through the tree canopy creating a mini pink blizzard. Princess Luna was quickly flanked by Royal Guard Pegasi who escorted her to the Royal Castle of Canterlot. Ponies watched her go in a squall of pink then rotated their heads to stare at Grey. He was furious with himself. Grey turned away and ran in the direction of the Everfree Forest. He came to a dead end road. A Royal Guard in full gold armor and brush helmet flew down. “Are you lost citizen?” Grey snorted, “I want to get over there.” “I admit this street needs more signage. Just go back one block, turn left and head west.” Grey nodded a thank you and ran off. Out of Canterlot down the old road to Ponyville, Grey sprinted at full speed. As Grey galloped, he muttered to himself, “What do I know about cherry blossoms? How is this pony like a pretty pink petal? I’m the opposite, maybe that was the answer? Ba! Too late now. And that arrogant Royal Guard! Doesn’t he know who I am?” Grey skidded to a halt on the dirt road. He walked up to a large tree and head butted it. “No, I will not be that kind of pony.” He banged his head on the tree again. “That Royal Guard did nothing wrong.” Bang. “He was a little full of himself but in his defense, he is a knight of the Royal Guard.” Bang. “He was not full of himself. I am prejudice. I am at fault, again.” Bang. “Maybe he does know who I am. Maybe he saw Luna and me. Maybe he saw me fail.” Bang.  "I don’t need Discord to turn me in to my opposite.” Bang. “I will not be that kind of pony!” In his frustration, Grey lost his way to the Everfree Forest and ran all the way to Pineville. He then back tracked to the palace. Grey spent the rest of the day in the library. The warrior’s life was as that of the cherry blossom's, beautiful and brief. For him, as for the flower, death followed naturally, gloriously. This is the closed thing I’ve found and it still doesn’t make sense. My life is not beautiful. How can a brief life be natural? It contradicts itself. Maybe it’s like one of those riddles that can’t be answered? Maybe I was supposed to get it wrong so I research. No, Luna was really mad that I didn’t get it. I'm over analyzing again. I don’t mind losing. I'm used to it. Disappointing Luna hurt. She was angry today because she knew I was going to lose this challenge. Perhaps she's mad because you’re going to die soon? Shut up bad voice in my head. If I die, you die. Kids at school laughed when they said that their parents were disappointed with their report cards. My report card sucked too. Daydreaming has got me in trouble again. I would have loved to have somepony to show my report card to. Those kids didn't know crap. Disappointing Luna that really hurt! I failed a challenge. I can’t find a way to turn this into a positive. I have neglected my studies. I must do better. I don’t want to feel this again.