//------------------------------// // Hanging Around With Applebloom // Story: Pony Stimulation for Weary Travelers Season 2 // by KenDoStudios //------------------------------// You are walking through the orchards of Sweet Apple Acres when you hear a faint humming sound. As you get closer, you see Apple Bloom sitting on a haystack, singing a cheerful tune while working on a basket of apples. Oh, harvest time is here, the apples are so dear, we will work until the sun sets low, and then we'll have some cider to show! Well howdy there! What brings you to Sweet Apple Acres today? *** You were walkin', an you heard mah beautiful singin'? Aw, shucks. I just love to sing while I work. It makes the time go by so much faster. *** I don't think I'm that good, but I'm trying muh best! I think if I do sound good, its all thanks to the Ponyville Schoolhouse Choir. I get to sing with every pony there every week, But I also like to sing when I'm working on the farm. It helps me stay focused and keeps my spirits up. *** Aw you think that's cool? Just wait till ya see what I'm workin' on. We're gettin' ready for the big apple harvest, so I'm sortin' through these apples to make sure we have the best ones for our cider press. It's hard work, but it's worth it when we get to enjoy a nice glass of sweet apple cider. You think that's would taste delicious? Well tell you what? If yah help me Ill put a good word for yah and maybe Ill make ya a glass. What do ya say? *** Great! Do you mind giving me a hand with these apples? We need to separate them into different baskets depending on their size and quality. You sit down next to Apple Bloom and start sorting the apples together. The sound of the apples being placed in the baskets and the soft rustling of the hay creates a relaxing atmosphere. This is nice. It's always better to have someon' to talk to while you're workin'. *** What? You agree? Why do you say that? *** It's nice to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the town and just enjoy the peacefulness of the orchard? Well I cant argue there. It is quite peaceful around the farm. But my belief is that the town is were the action is ! I think my sis would agree with me. After all, she wanted to sell her crop while she was at the gala last month. Imagine being invited to a party and you decide to sell stuff! I don't understand grownups sometimes. I wont argue with the results none though, got a lot of funds after that so I guess this here hard work is rewardin' Plus, we get to share our apples with all of our friends and neighbors here in Ponyville. So its a win win. *** So, what else you wan a talk about? *** How are the Cutie Mark Crusaders doin? Well, we have been workin' on our crusades I guess, just the other day we all swam in a lake. *** Did we earn a cutie mark? uh... to be honest we didn' goin' to the lake jus' to find our cutie mark... we just had fun silly! cant be going off crusadin' all the time! *** What do I mean by that? Well as granny would say, 'It's important to take a break from our goals and enjoy life's simple pleasures.' We don't want to put too much pressure on ourselves to find our true talents. We like to try new things and have fun sure, but if we focus too much on somthin' we begin to get too serious. we were jus together as friends, without worrying about the end result. That's a great attitude to have. It's important to find balance and joy in life, even outside of our goals and ambitions. Sometimes the best moments in life are the ones that happen spontaneously, when we're not actively trying to achieve something. you can learn that at any age I reckon. ...makes you wonder what other fun and spontaneous moments life has in store for us. *** We're really lucky to have each other. We might not have our Cutie Marks yet, but we know we can always count on each other no matter what. I bet you have friends like that too don't you? They finish sorting the apples Oh look at that, all the work is don already? Bless my saddle, it felt like we had spent only a little bit of time on it. It's amazing how fast time can go by when you're having fun with a friend, and enjoying the moment. *** What are ya doin now? Hey common! put that basket down! Lets lie in that there pile o' hey for a spell, we got time. There you go! hey...Ill race you to it ehee... Go! ehee ehee ehee ahh! NO! AHHHH Ehee AHHHH NO! *** Oops sorry about that, you allrigh? Ha heh, here Ill shift my flank this way and you can lean on muh back... There you go... wew... good race! *** See! what I tell ya? Spontaneous fun! Look at all the hey commin' down like its snowin'. Heh heh. *** Ya know, you already asked this ,but now that I thought about it som more. I agree with ya, it is so peaceful out here. It feels like we're in our own little world don't it? I still like seen' the town bustle too! That's where other ponies go, some I have never even met before! but here is where I'm home, and there is no place like it is there? *** I guess what I'm tryn' to say is, its ok to like both things even if they are worlds apart. its what makes each one exciten! if all the towns and countries were the same it would get kind of borin' wouldn't it? *** But one thing that hasn't changed in either side ya know what it is? Ill give yah a hint, time slows down and everything else fades away. Moments like these! To recharge and find some inner peace. All ponies should want it. All ponies should have it. And it's even better when you can share these moments with someone else. *** I'm grateful for this time we get to spend together. It's always nice to meet a stranger and make a new friend and then enjoy some peace and quiet together. *** I feel so much better now. Thank you for taking that break with me. we should do this more often hang out i mean... not take a break... don't want to be lazy none he heh... Well thanks for stopping on bye stranger, Ill take it from here... as promised ill tell the folks to pour you some sider unless ya want more work, then maybe go ask applejack or somthin'. *** Yeah! Just ask er', an' she'll hook you up! ...with a job.. not to a wagon... don't worry... Well so long, thanks again for the help! I'll hope to see yah around ok? See ya real soon now! Ya hear?