Rich Soil
“I don't get it sis, why're we helpin' her?” The little filly stared up at her big sister. The filly's wide-eyed stare, innocent face, and honest question drew out a smile from the older mare.
“'Cause, sugarcube, ponies are the best soil I know.”
“But that doesn't make any sense,” the way the filly talked to her sister made the mare smile even wider. The filly had learned a lot about reading and writing in school, but she still carried the thick farm accent the whole Apple Family shared. “She ain't a pony, we don't know her, and she ain't even made outta dirt!”
“You're right, I was usin' “ponies” in the general, you understand. Also, I guess I should'a said ponies are like the best soil I know.” The filly stared up at her sister expectantly. “First off, do you know what's different between dirt and soil?” The filly shook her head. “What's different between soil and dirt is that soil has all the other things it needs to grow crops. You can till, seed, and water dirt, but nothing'll ever grow there because dirt is just dirt. Ponies, well heck, all creatures, have all the stuff they need to grow inside them already. Now, do you know what's different between our farm's soil and the soil up yonder in the Everfree Forest?”
“The Everfree's got bad soil?”
“'Fraid not, pumpkin. Turns out the Everfree's got the same soil we do. That's why everything grows big and large out there.”
“But, but you can't grow crops out there, it's scary and dangerous.”
“And you'd have to tear out all the trees that're out there, and that's just too much work for us to do, it wouldn't make sense. Now, before that forest grew out of control, if somepony had tilled up the ground and took out all the weeds and planted crops instead, why they'd have a farm bigger than our Sweet Apple Acres. Ponies are just like soil. Who ponies grow into depends on what gets put in them, and it's a whole lot easier to plant good things like apple trees than it is to take out strong trees and poison ivy that's already there.” The filly rubbed her head with a hoof.
“So, we're planting pony apple trees, so that those apple trees can plant other apple trees?” The filly looked confused.
“You got it pumpkin.”
“Apple trees planting themselves? I don't get it, Applejack,” the filly looked up and shook her head.
“That's okay Applebloom. I think you'll get it someday. Let's just say this. We're helping our new zebra friend so she can help others.” The filly brightened.
“Okay. That sounds good.”
That afternoon, after Applejack and Applebloom helped their new friend, Applebloom had gone off to school. She hadn't been able to pay too much attention though, she thought all day about what her sister said. When she came back home she worked on some of her homework, completed most of her chores, and then went to find her older sister. The sun had started to set, painting the clouds a light pink. The sky turned lavender, and the heat of the day cooled slightly. Applebloom got distracted by some lightning bugs that were precariously close to the zap-apple trees. She suddenly realized she had stopped and had been staring at the bugs for who knew how long. She continued her search and found her sister checking on an irrigation ditch.
“I think I get it 'sis.” The mare looked up from her work, watching as her sister approached. “Helping out our new friend was like planting a seed in them that'll help them do good things for others.”
“That's right sugarcube, but you're forgetting something.”
“What's that?” Applebloom's excited expression sunk.
“You know how much work we gotta do to keep this farm running?”
“Uh-huh. Sure is. I hate all those chores.”
“I used to feel the same way. But then I realized that without all that hard work, this farm would die.”
“Our farm ain't gonna die, is it?”
“Of course not, the farm's got you, me, your brother, and Granny takin' care of it. And that's not even going through all our kin. But just like our farm needs daily care to grow our food, ponies need attention, too. Without that, all sorts a' weeds and trees'll choke out all the good ponies can do. That's why we Apples stick so close to our kin. It's how we help each other grow.”
“Helpin' other ponies is a lotta work,” Applebloom sighed.
“Cheer up, sugarcube. There are other ponies helpin' us right now.”
“That's why we went to Zecora's!”
“Uh-huh, now be a good sister and help me lift this plank to let the water through.” The filly trotted up. As they hoisted the plank out of the way, a rush of water sped past.
“Hey 'sis?”
“What's up?”
“There's something I want to do.”
In the last light of day Applejack and her young sister Applebloom found a small, relatively flat rise in front of the farm house. They both dug out a hole, filled it most of the way with soil, put in an apple and covered the apple with more soil and a little bit of fertilizer. After that, they put down wood-chips and built a small fence around the newly planted apple. Applejack got a water can and poured a little bit of water on the mound. When they were finished, they proudly looked on at their handiwork. Applebloom spoke up.
"If I can take care of the tree, it oughta help me remember to help take care of other ponies."
"I know it'll sure help me remember." She looked down at her sister. She felt responsible and hopeful for her. The responsibility didn't feel like a burden, though, it felt like a warmth in her chest. The warmth turned to an ache as Applejack realized how fast Applebloom was growing. Applejack also realized she was fighting back a tear.
"Eyup." The deep voice came from behind Applejack and made both the sisters jump.
"Big Mac! You oughta know not to sneak up on unsuspecting ponies like that." The large, red stallion said nothing more, but looked up at the sky. "Oh shoot, we were out so long. You and Granny must be waitin' to have dinner. You must've come lookin' for us."
"Eyup."
As the night fell, all three went inside as a family for a late dinner.