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// The Tree of Despicableness (if that's even a word) 
// Story: Tom's Destiny 
// by Caleb Roy 
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		Tom crept through the Everfree forest. Things now started to come out as night started to settle the scene. Things began to howl, and to snap, to bite, and to crawl. Of course, Tom wasn't scared because he was a rock, but if any other pony were in this forest, well, they would be as scared as a scared pony. I never saw one so I don't know how ponies get scared or act when they are scared. Anyways, however, this scene was setting up the beginning of a rock's destiny. A rock who had a name. An average one, but a name that was solid. He was Tom, and he wasn't going to let any forest scare him, and especially not the Everfree Forest...
Tom crept through Hangponie's bog. It was a nasty place. Apparently, during the War of HeadStrong's Mane, this was a place where ponies could choose death by hanging or to try and live out there days in the Everfree Forest. Every single one chose death. Ya man or woman, very scary place. Anyways, here is the beginning of the first beast which Tom had to fight to learn his destiny. It all began like this.
Night was on its way, and Tom would need somewhere to sleep. He saw a dark cave, and he decided that he would take his rest over there. However, as he was rolling to the cave, he heard a faint, but mysterious voice. It began like this.
"Tom...Tom... Do not take your journey into there. It will only bring you shame, but come over here to where that rosebush is, and there you will find your place of rest."
The voice actually almost scared Tom, but like said practically thirty times in this story, Tom was a rock, and so he didn't fear anything. Tom said something back to the mysterious voice.
"Show yourself mysterious voice, and then perhaps I will decide upon going over to that rosebush!", Tom yelled back to the voice.
"But Tom...", said the voice, "I am showing my self everywhere. I am here. I am there. I am in your underwear. Actually, forget the underwear bit. I am not there, but I am here.", the mysterious voice came back louder, and more creepy this time.
"That doesn't tell me much mysterious voice. Where are you? Show yourself or die by my blade which I don't have."
"If you do not have a blade, then why should I be afraid of you!", the mysterious voice shot back.
"Because I am a rock, and let me tell you something, you don't want to mess with a rock because if you do, well, then harm will come to you!"
"Oh really Tom, well let me ask you something... I want you to give back the slab which you stole, and then I want you to admit to me that you are a worthless piece of junk. Nothing. Rocks always lose. They can't do anything. They may try and try, but they will always fail. You crack under pressure, you break from a hammer. What are you really worth Tom?", the voice was getting more and more sinister.
"Now listen here!", shot back Tom, "I may be a rock. I may not be able to do things, but I am who I am and I am proud of that. I am not scared of you. God made me who I am, and for that I will be proud! At least I can show my face! I don't see you showing yours!".
Before continuing the story, there must be a pause. All of you reading, you must realize that you are you. You all have a specific purpose in this life and like bro's and sis's, live it to the fullest and thank God everyday that he allows you to live. Rock on dudes! Rock on! Alright, well, back to the conversation.
"WHAT!!!", the mysterious voice was getting angry, "Well you know what. You are nothing! You will melt away and be destroyed! You can't even lift! You--YOU!! You piece of hard headed junk. What are you worth! What?". The mysterious voice was getting despicable. It was trying to hit the very heart of Tom's soul. The tree was trying to break his heart of gold, his kidneys of emeralds, his mind of rubies, but Tom wouldn't take it. Tom knew he wasn't the most handsome rock on the outside. He knew that most didn't think he was pretty. Most rocks weren't beautiful, but its not the outside of a person that defines him, it is the inside. You see what is a beautiful face going to matter when you are 345 years old. It will be nothing. It will be dust, but what will matter is what you did in your heart. That is what matters, and Tom knew that.
"Listen here you mysterious voice! I may not be pretty. I may be rough on the outside. I may not have good looks or flowing hair, but here is what I do have; I have a family that loves me, and is learning to love me. I have a heart that will not hurt anybody, but tries as best as it can to help others. I have a mind that can think, and a working arm. I may not have all those things on the outside, but on the inside, I am worth a million diamonds." Tom was correct. He was worth a million diamonds (and not just figuratively). You see, we must do what we can to make the world a better place. Also, while you are living people, enjoy your families because one day you mat not have them. Lets move on with the conversation.
"YOU!!! YOU!!!! YOU ARE A DUMB ROCK!! YOU ARE WORTH NOTHING. NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WILL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING! YOU WILL FALL AWAY IN PIECES, AND YOU WILL DIE IN THIS FOREST!!!!! DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!", the mysterious voice was enraged. He hated Tom, but he was a coward. He would not show himself, and he would not discuss a matter with Tom personally. This is why Tom didn't believe him. Tom didn't care what this mysterious voice accused him of. Tom was Tom, and this voice was this voice. Tom was not selfish, and this voice was selfish. Tom felt bad for this voice. He really did, and because Tom felt bad for this voice, he decided to try and help him.
"Dear mysterious voice, I know not what you have gone through in years past. I don't know if someone hurt you, but I feel bad for you mysterious voice. I truly do. Listen my dear friend, I hope that whatever you went through, you can forgive the person who did you the wrong, and that you can forgive yourself. I must needs continue on my journey, but I truly hope that you will find peace in knowing that you are you. You are what God has made you. I also hope that you can find peace in knowing that the outside is not what matters, but the inside. Good luck to you dear friend and God bless! I must needs go now." As Tom began to embark, the mysterious voice became known. You see, Tom had just heaped coals upon the head of this evildoer. Tom could have just been just as mean as this culprit. He could have mocked him back or did who knows what else, but Tom didn't. Tom forgave, and tried to help this poor soul. Tom also could have wasted his time with this culprit, but Tom knew that he was who he was, and because of this Tom went on feeling even better. In fact this culprit had helped Tom realize more and more that he is who he is, and he should be proud of that. Now you're probably all wondering who the culprit was, well, in the next paragraph you will find out.
As Tom began to walk away, he heard some very loud screaming and anger coming from the voice. He turned around and saw a tree burning up. Tom realized that it was the tree who had tried to mock him. The tree began to burn, and eventually fell prey to its own hate. It died. However, Tom did not feel a victory over defeating this tree, but instead a compassion. Tom felt bad that this poor tree had to die in his hate, anger, and bitterness, but Tom realized that there was nothing he could do. Tom moved on. Little did he know, that what had just come to him would prepare him for the next evil of the forest.
To summarize, my dear readers, remember that throughout life, people will mock you. However, do not hate them, but try to help them out of their circumstances. Also, always remember that you are who God made you, so do not care what others think, but instead, live your life, but live your life the life that God gave you. Finally, remember to never let hate build in your heart, and to love your family and enjoy your youth while you can. That is all for now, and in the next chapter, the evil will be greater. Will Tom defeat it? Find out next time, and to close like a Japanese manga, TO BE CONTINUED...