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// Element of Generosity  
// Story: History of the Elements 
// by zombiepegasus226 
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The first element of generosity was an earth pony mare named Swift Stroke. She came from a poor family, her parents did odd jobs around their village in the earth pony tribe to provide for her and her younger brother. As she got older Swift Stroke also took up some work around her village doing simple jobs for some of the shop owners and anypony who asked for her services.

But when she wasn't running about to earn some bits she's spend the small amount of free time drawing and painting. Since she couldn't afford to buy a lot of supplies she would often help out at some of the shops that made paints and other art supplies. The shop owners would let Swift Stroke have whatever paints and canvas materials left over along with a few brushes that had been damaged. 

Over time her skills improved enough that Swift Stroke felt she should try selling her best work. Some were bought by those who wanted something to decorate their homes with while some saw how good she was getting asking her to paint a few things on the buildings walls, or to paint some signs for the front of shops. The paintings weren't big but she was paid so it helped out her family. She continued practicing over the years taking some paintings to the market place to sell, for on rare occasions ponies from the wealthier parts of the earth pony tribe would ride through the village. Most ignore the beggars and merchants but some of the younger aristocrats stepped off their carriages. They still paid little mind to the beggars and merchants, wanting to see what the lower class area was like.

On one of these visits one of them saw Swift Strokes paintings impressed that a commoner with no professional training had made such wonderful paintings. She hoped he’d buy one but instead offered to pay her to do a portrait for him. She took the offer the money would help feed her family. Her new client brought her to his estate supplying the canvas, paints and brushes. The money she earned from the job allowed her family to live in a bit more comfort, and soon another wealthy pony came to her for a portrait with a slightly larger payment. After a while her name had spread through the earth pony tribe bringing in more portrait requests, and having some of her other works displayed in museums. With the money she was earning Swift stroke was able to move herself and her family to a better home.

Even though she’d gained fame and money she didn't let it change her. She’d often visit her old village, she even gave money to help build houses and feed the beggars wondering the streets. She was always willing to give what she could to help others, and her generosity was shown to the elements.

With the storm from the wendigo's still present in the three tribes Clover the Clever needed to find an inn after another day of searching. She’d never been in the area before and didn't know her way around. That’s when she met Swift Stroke who took the unicorn to her home offering her a place to stay for the night, and even though there was a food shortage she made Clover the Clever a big meal even packing her some extra food and money. Giving so much to a pony that she hardly knew and from a different tribe, without asking for anything in return activated the elements for they had found the pony fit to bear the element of generosity.