//------------------------------// // Act 4: Thankful Heart // Story: The Hearths Warming Woodcarver // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// ACT FOUR By the end of the day, Twilight was on her way home to her castle, and she suddenly remembered, “Spike!” She hadn’t seen him all day, and was so busy with her schedule and helping out around town, she had forgotten all about him. She really hoped he was no longer working hard and pushing himself to shovel snow after she warned him. She galloped through town calling his name, and suddenly she found him in front of Woody’s shop, just standing in the snow with his head drooped forth in front of the store window. “Spike…?” Twilight called as she cantered up to him, only to gasp when he turned his frozen, ice-laden face. “Oh, Spike! What’s the matter?” Spike only pointed up to the window where the clock he wanted to buy for Rarity once stood-- it was gone! “I can’t believe someone bought it!” he cried softly. “I had almost saved up enough money too. I did all that work for nothing!” Twilight hugged him, and shivered by how cold he felt… …and he sneezed again! “Come on, we better get you home.” said Twilight. The next morning, Twilight quickly teleported to Spike’s room, only to find that this time, he was still in his basket. “Spike? You’re still here?” She also noted his very long face, especially on today-- Hearths Warming Eve Day. “Are you still upset about that clock?” she asked. Spike nodded. “I really wanted to get it for Rarity, and now I can’t.” He didn’t try to make a big fuss over it. The clock was gone, and nothing would change that, but he still felt down. “There’s still time.” said Twilight. “You still made lots of money. I’m sure you can find her something.” Spike agreed it was worth a shot, but he really couldn’t think of what else to get Rarity that was beautiful as the clock. Later that day, since it was the day before Hearths Warming, you can bet ponies were rushing about to get their last-minute shopping done and to get prepared. Woody had sold a few things from his shop, and made quite a bundle of money, but then, as he dusted the shelves, he peeked out the shop window. Then he looked across the street into the field. Some kids were having a snowball fight. When Granny Smith came walking by on her way back to Sweet Apple Acres, with a wagon full of presents. Suddenly, one of the kids was readying a snowball to throw, by rolling it on the ground, but it suddenly started rolling down the hill. “Oh, no!” the colt cried. The ball grew bigger as it continued to roll, right to where Granny was walking. “LOOK OUT!!” the col shouted. Granny gasped, and moved out of the way, just as the ball hit her wagon, tipping it over and spilling all her shopping everywhere. The colt, feeling guilty for what had happened, raced down to try and apologize, but Granny was furious. “Why ya, dag-nagged holligains!” she roared as she got up. “I’ll get’cha for this!” and she grabbed the colt, planning to discipline him. The colt begged for mercy, and tried to get away, but Granny was pretty strong for one her age! “In my day, we paddled those who disrespected their elders!” “No!! Please!!” wailed the colt. “Stop!!” called a voice. Woody had seen everything, and pulled Granny off the colt, and held colt still with his other hoof so he wouldn’t run. That’s when all the other children came down the hill. “Cod-flabbit, Woody!” Granny snarled. “What business do you have here? This is between me and them youngins!” “Oh, Granny!” scolded Woody, and he spoke calmly and reasoned with her. “I saw what happened. It was just an accident, and even if it were not. You were walking where they were playing. Doesn’t that make it your fault as well?” Granny felt upset with herself. A pony her age should have known better too. “I guess I’m just being crabby like an apple with a worm. It’s just that I spent all day shopping for the family, been up since daylight, fighting the crowds, and all this had to happen? It’s more than an old mare can take.” “Then, let these children make it up to you.” suggested Woody. “We old ones owe it to ourselves to show them better ways, not worse.” The children agreed, and immediately tipped the wagon back upright, and loaded all the spilled objects back. “We can even escort you home.” the nice colt offer. Granny felt flattered, “Well, don’t that be all.” She walked off with the children helping her, and they waved goodbye to Woody, thanking him for resolving the issue. Feeling warmer than ever for having done this good deed, combined with other deeds he had already done, Woody went back into his store, and saw Celestia’s book, still on his workbench. He opened it up, remembering that story he had read. The merchant would always continue to give to others, and never succumb to greed. He would always remain giving to others, even in his hardest times. “And always remember…” the words read “Whether or not your giving is appreciated, the spirit of Hearths Warming rests within you. Please the spirit within, and you will be at peace.” Woody looked up at nothing in particular, as if heaven’s light was shining on him. Now he understood-- he had no family to live for, so he could live to help and give to others; not just with his work, but with simple kindness and generosity. “Thank you, Princess Celestia.” Suddenly, without much warning, there was a glow of light in the shop and Celestia appeared before him. She had come to pick up her book. “I’m very glad for you, Woody. I believe you will be just fine.” Woody smiled and bowed graciously to her. That night, Twilight’s castle was all decked up and sparkling brighter than usual for her annual Hearths Warming Even party with all her friends, and even her family from the Crystal Empire. Spike didn’t look very merry. He and Twilight had tried so many stores to find a substitute gift for Rarity, and all Spike could get her was a book. “Always a book.” he grumbled. “It’s not just any book.” said Twilight “It’s a book about ancient Hearths Warming garments. It’ll help her find more inspiration for sewing and stuff. I’m sure she’ll love it.” Spike was not convinced, but it was still better than giving nothing at all. Soon, all the friends arrived, along with Cadance and Shining Armor. “Let’s Party!!” Pinkie shouted, while still wearing her face covers. Applejack didn’t have to translate, but she annoyingly pulled the covers off Pinkie’s face. “Now, we can party.” Gifts were placed under the tree, as the friends engaged in playful games, partook in the snacks and food, and then sang carols by the fire, and then they all just sat around telling stories or cracking jokes. Shining Armor even told them the time “…Twilight got her head stuck in a beaker-- her shrink spell went wrong.” “Bro!” snapped Twilight, but everyone else laughed. Spike then gazed over at the gifts under the tree-- at his own gift to Rarity, still worried that it wasn’t good enough. “Spike, is something the matter?” Rarity asked him. Spike didn’t know how to answer, and he ended up stammering while trying to find one. “You see… the thing is… I… Um…” Just then, there was a knock at the doors of the castle. “Who could that be?” wondered Fluttershy. Twilight wasn’t expecting other visitors. She teleported to the doors, and used her magic to open them. She was ever surprised to see, “…Woody.” He stood with a wonderful smile on his face. “Happy Hearths Warming, Princess Twilight.” Twilight blinked in confusion. A few days ago, he looked like a pony ready to end his life, and now here he stood with a look of love and light in his eyes. “I just came to deliver this…” Woody said and he held up a beautifully wrapped present, with a tag on it that read, “To Rarity: From Spike.” Twilight didn’t remember Spike buying anything, but all of a sudden, she began to catch on, and she could barely believe it. “Won’t you come in, please?” she invited, and Woody graciously accepted. Everyone was very surprised to see him as well, having heard stories that he didn’t like Hearths Warming. “I guess… you could say I’ve had a change of heart.” he said, and then he approached Rarity with the gift. “This is for you. It is from my store.” “Oh! Oh, my goodness…” Rarity said, feeling a bit speechless. She read the tag, “…And it’s from Spike.” Spike was most confused, and before he could say anything, Woody suggested “You may want to open it now. There is nothing stopping you.” Though most would prefer to wait until Hearths Warming morning to open presents, Rarity couldn’t resist, and also she had given Spike his gift early. She used her magic to gently unfold and un-wrap the gift like a lady would. She opened the cute box inside, and her eyes lit up like the stars. “Oh, my…!” she peeped, and she levitated out the dancer clock that Spike wanted to give to her. Everyone gawked at it with awe. “That is so beautiful.” said Cadance. “It’s even prettier than the one I bought for Angel.” added Fluttershy. The clock then struck seven, and it lit up and played that cheery song, illuminating the dancer underneath, wowing everyone even more, especially Rarity. Then, out of the box fell a receipt which read, “Paid in-full.” Spike was confused even more, but Woody and Twilight weren’t. “Oh, Spike!” Rarity said with tears in her eyes. “This is… the most beautiful thing I’ve ever been given. Of, course, I’ve been given a lot of beautiful things but… oh, darling…!” “Um… Happy Hearths Warming...” Spike said, and he received a huge peck from Rarity, making him turn pink. He still didn’t understand, until Woody explained, “Hearths Warming is a time for giving, especially to those who work hard and do their best for others.” Spike smiled, but he didn’t say anything wanting to continue with this little ruse. Woody then excused himself. “Where are you going?” asked Twilight. Woody turned, and with a happy grin he said, “…To spread the joy around. …Happy Hearths Warming!” And he walked merrily through the doors and into town. “What’s happened to him?” Spike wondered. “I don’t know…” replied Twilight, but then with a big smile she admitted “…But I like it.” With a happy joy in his heart, and a newfound purpose in life, Woody went around town merrily singing a song as he greeted ponies in the streets. “With a Thankful Heart” Along the way, he gave donations to charities thanks to vast amounts of money he made, making the poor and homeless very happy. He helped people carry heavy loads, or held doors open, and even assisted in a soup kitchen to feed the hungry. He really had embraced Hearths Warming, just as all beings should.