That is a question that philosophers, artisans, and common pony have been trying to figure out since the dawn of time. The Merriam dictionary defines it as a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties. That’s just one of many. Another says that it’s attraction based on sexual desires. But that just raises more points about the topic. There was a philosopher and writer who broke it down into four different categories: philia, agape, storge, and eros. Each one of the categories encompassed it in a different way. I’m actually going to give a lecture on it next week at the School for Gifted Unicorns. I have forty two pages worth of notes to share with the class and I don’t know if I can get through all of it within the hour and a half time frame. Oh! That reminds me, I probably should add more to it. There’s some information that I missed. Let’s see: I’ll need research from Aristrotle, from Lewis, from….
The answer to your question is simple. It’s not an emotion that a pony feels, like many believe. No, it’s something else entirely. What is it? It’s a gem, a shiny trinket that lives in another. It’s a single soul that inhabits two bodies. The other half of the soul is that the gem that everypony is searching for. What you think the gem you want might look sparkling and beautiful from afar, but close up it can turn out to be a worthless piece of zirconium. But when you find it, it may not look like a diamond at all; instead it may just be an orange piece of coal with a stetson and freckles on her face. And this piece of coal might look simple and uncouth on the outside, but on the inside is the brilliance of a diamond that can shine as bright as the sun, causing their personality to be seen as endearing and the freckles as just the most adorable thing that has ever been created. Then, you’ll want them. You may find this need to be strange, the attraction wrong. But that only makes it sweeter and the desire will grow. Eventually, you’ll want them so much that you’ll throw caution to the wind and you’ll take each other in a storm of fiery emotion! Yes… that sounds nice. … Ahem, I seem to have gone on a bit of a tangent. But my point still stands: it’s something that one has to search for. Speaking of which, I have to go now… I need to find my precious Diamond.
I don’t have an answer for you. I’m not good at all this mushy girly stuff. Talk to Rarity, she’ll have an answer for you. If that’s all you need to ask, then I have nothing to give you. Sorry, squirt. Now, I have to get back to my napping.
That is a very good question. I’m not sure how to answer. All I know is that it comes naturally to most ponies. It’s built into every creature on the planet. Everything has the capability to love. So, I think that it’s a part of nature, since everything can do it.
Sorry, sugar cube, I can’t talk right now. Rarity said that she has something urgent to tell me. Heh, based on how she was fidgeting, I think I should find what she has to say very interesting.
…. I’m sorry, could you repeat the question? …. That’s what I thought. Oh, I don’t know. What can I do? What else can I say, it’s up to you. I know we’re one, just me and you. I can’t go on. What is love? Oh baby, don’t hurt me. Don’t hurt me, no more. …
*
“She just kept singing like that for a while,” an orange pegasus filly said. “I’m not sure where I can go with all this information though.” A plum coloured mare sitting at a desk flipped through sheets of paper.
“I don’t think we can pull anything of academic value from what Pinkie said. You’re heading in the right direction though,” she said handing the filly the papers. “You’ve been doing research as to what love is, which will narrow down what it isn’t. Have you thought of a thesis?”
“What most define love as and how it differs from children’s definitions,” the filly said. “Do you have any suggestions as to what to do next?”
“Have you talked to any of your classmates?” the mare asked. The filly shook her head. “Talk to them. You’ll be able to get some definitions from them. Afterwards, look in both philosophy books and linguistic books.”
“Thanks, Miss Cheerilee,” the filly took her papers and returned to her desk. The mare turned her attention to a piece of paper in front of her. She began writing on it as her class was shared silent conversations with each other.
Essay Rubric
Scootaloo
Knowledge and Understanding: Level 3+
-Has gone out and talked to many ponies in the area about her topic.
-Currently has enough information for her essay.
-More academic sources are needed for a higher mark
Thinking/Inquiry: Level 3-
-Research has been done by talking to ponies
-Research however does not include any academic writings
-Research also reveals personal lives of two particular ponies
-Remember to obtain a copy of what Applejack and Rarity said. Very interesting gossip that Rose would like to hear.
Application:
Communication:
Overall grade: