"Way back in the Paleopony period, Ponykind was nomadic, wandering the land and keeping a simple foraging lifestyle. Without going into too much detail, we had the basics of survival and communication."
"So this was back before civilization?" Scootaloo asked. "Cutie Marks go back that far?"
"Not quite." Cheerilee replied. "Back in those days, we didn't have control over the world like we do now. The whole world was like the Everfree Forest."
"So how did we get control?" The pegasus filly prodded.
"As ponykind gradually settled into mobile communities then started making settlements, we also began mapping the boundaries of our territory. At the southwestern region of the known world, we found that the land rose up to the clouds. A few brave explorers found paths that lead up. We found a vast field high above the clouds, untouched by the predators that we feared. In the center of this land above the clouds, was a manifestation of mana. Because it gave off a soft light, and emitted an ear-pleasing tone, we called it the Glow-Song."
"'Glow-Song.' Got it."
"Ponykind quickly learned how to tap into it, and use it to change their environment. No longer did we need to forage. We could cause the plants to grow as we wished. We began to change the weather and the seasons to suit our preferences. And we reached out to the Sun and Moon themselves, and moved them. And so began the Neopony age."
"So this Glow Song allowed us to control the world. Then what happened?"
Starsong made a motion to quiet the inquiry. "Let her finish."
"The first rule of magic. The Law of connection. We touched magic, and it touched us in return. Those who moved the weather grew wings. Those who reached out to the lights grew horns to channel their wills. Those who tended the land formed a connection to it. And those who worked with the water, adapted to dwell in it. That's how the pony breeds were formed. These were considered gifts. There were still ponies in the lands below who didn't form a connection with the Glow-Song. They were called the un-gifted. As the years passed, the breeds developed their more unique traits The horned tapped directly into the manastreams to use magic. The winged gained the ability to walk on clouds, the land-bonded learned how to grow minerals, and the flippered grew gills to breath in water. As the Gifted prospered and grew in numbers, we developed skills and talents that brought benefit to their Empire. This lead to the development of special talents and the creation of Cutie Marks to go with them. With a special talent, every citizen was able to contribute, and the Cutie Mark showed what we were skilled at. "
"So we got Cutie Marks because we were civilized?" Applebloom asked. "What about Zebras?"
"All in good time." Cheerilee replied. "Secure in our remote location, the gifted became complacent, then haughty. But remote didn't mean isolated. While we kept in touch with our kin below, the gifted considered them as lower in stature. When the ability to control the mana flow began to have consequences on the world below, the un-gifted came and spoke of problems that plagued them. At first these reports were dismissed at lies, but as more and more ponies showed up, they were joined by cows, donkeys, and other hooved races. It wasn't until zebras came to the empire to complain, that the Gifted finally returned to the world below."
"So it was the zebras that finally talked some sense into them?"
"Yes, and it's a good thing that we listened. The careless use of mana had devastated the world below. Ashamed of what we had done, the Gifted broke the Glow-Song into pieces. The largest fragment was given to the zebras. The rest were hidden away and buried in the most remote locations that we could find."
"So that's why zebras get their their Cutie Marks." Applebloom realized. "They have a piece of this Glow Song."
"Yes Applebloom." Cheerilee smiled. "That's why zebras get their Cutie Marks. Though they call theirs Spirit Marks."
"Your Cutie Mark means that you're in tune with the world around you." Starsong said. "You know your talent, and you're willing to use it responsibly."
"Because we're connected to the manastream?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"That's right." Cheerilee added. "We're the Gifted. We keep the world going because we owe it to the other races. They can't do it."
"Whoa, heavy." Scootaloo commented.
"But don't get discouraged." Cheerilee offered. "You have a gift and a responsibility. It may seem immense, but you can do something that no other race can."
"And what's our lesson for this story?" Applebloom asked.
"Your Cutie Mark manifests the first time you consciously tap into the manastream."
"I think I get it!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "C'mon girls, back to the clubhouse, I have a plan!"
"Shall I refund your last hour?" Cheerilee asked, counting out the coins.
"Yeah, we could use that money." Sweetie Belle replied. She took the -B-12, then the group dashed out of the room.
Starsong looked to Cheerilee. "Looks like your first job was a success."
"Time will tell, Stars." Cheerilee replied as she stood up. "I wish they would have stayed to hear how Cutie Marks have changed over time."
"Anyways. We just got a delivery of mooncakes."
"Alright, I'll come down and get a slice." Cheerilee followed her out of the room.