“Oh—thank you, Angel!” I told my pet bunny one morning. He had brought me an urgent letter—in his mouth—addressed to me. I took its envelope from him and asked him, “Angel, could you please open the envelope for me?” He gladly tore it open with his paws, and I took the letter out and read it aloud.
My dear, compassionate Fluttershy:
Tomorrow is the Summer Sun Celebration—the longest day of the year and the most important holiday in all of Equestria. I have chosen you—because you are very good at taking care of animals—to provide the music for the celebration. My personal favorite music is the music that I get to hear every day when everypony is silent—the sweet singing of songbirds. I have the utmost confidence that you will be the best pony for such a task.
Lots of love,
Princess Celestia
“Oh, no—I can’t!” I squeaked in utter fright. Right there and then, I shrank; I lay down flat on the floor of my cottage, covering my eyes with my hooves and shaking like a leaf. “Everypony will be watching me—even before I get to see Princess Celestia!” I cried, still in fright. My shyness prevented me from even thinking about trotting outside.
Angel, my pet bunny, felt very sorry for me. He could not stand to see me so afraid. He hopped up to me and gave me a hug as big as his paws would let him give. He and I cuddled for most of the morning.
By the time that I felt brave enough to set hoof outside, the afternoon was almost over. I had gathered the best-singing songbirds in my care to accompany me to the park. I led them all to a nearby tree, where they roosted together on a common branch. I counted off to start their music, but somepony interrupted me and frightened my birds!
The pony who interrupted me was a unicorn mare with a purple coat. “I’m so sorry that I scared your birds away,” she told me. She was very polite, but she still scared me. “I’m Twilight Sparkle,” she told me, and asked me for my name in exchange.
“Erm—I’m Fluttershy,” I answered. “I’m sorry; could you please repeat that?” asked Twilight Sparkle. “My name is Fluttershy,” I answered again. “I still can’t hear you,” she told me.
Twilight could not get my name, because my voice was too soft. “Well, it looks as though your birds are back,” she announced, because my birds had, indeed, come back. However, I was much too afraid to speak again. “What song were you going to perform, anyway?” she wondered.
A purple baby dragon caught my eye, and I galloped toward him. “He’s so cute!” I cooed. “I know—right?” agreed Twilight Sparkle. I could not resist his cuteness.
“I’m Spike,” the dragon told me. “I’m Fluttershy,” I answered. “I think you’re cute, Fluttershy!” added Spike. “Oh, my—that’s so nice of you, Spike!” I answered, and kissed him on the cheek.
Twilight, using her horn, transported Spike onto her back and headed for home. “You should keep practicing, Fluttershy,” she told me. Spike had relayed my name to her. “Good-bye, Twilight Sparkle,” I answered softly.
For the rest of the afternoon, my songbirds and I rehearsed our music. “À-1, à-2, à-1-2-3!” I counted off. By the time that night fell, I felt much braver, but just in case, I asked my birds to sing again. “One more time, everyone; you sang beautifully!” I told them.
I had to get out of bed when it was still dark. As much as darkness scared me, I knew that it was wrong to disappoint Princess Celestia. “Oh—thank you, everyone!” I told my birds. They and I comforted each other all the way to the town hall.
The security staff let my birds and me in. “Fillies and gentlecolts…!” announced Mayor Mare. I raised my baton and prepared myself to conduct my choir of birds. Finally, the mayor announced, “…Princess Celestia!”
A tall, white alicorn trotted forward onto the balcony. “EEP!” I squeaked, and galloped straight out of the town hall. “I told you so!” retorted Spike. “I should probably face up to the princess,” sighed Twilight Sparkle.
“I was wrong about Nightmare Moon’s prophecy,” confessed Twilight. “At least the Summer Sun Celebration can begin now,” answered Celestia. “But I failed to make any new friends,” lamented Twilight. “I always grant second chances to my students!” said Celestia.