//------------------------------//
// I Don't Care for the Air 
// Story: Zecora's Book of Horrific Tales 
// by Nirtha 
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Zecora's Book of Horrific Tales
Chapter 3: I Don't Care for the Air
by Nirtha



Welcome again - Please take a seat
While I tell you a story of a magical treat

When I was just a little filly 
I could be just a little silly
I didn't often listhen to friends
I chose to make my own ends
I wasn't ever extremely polite
But neither would I put up a fight
When given the chance I did as I saw fit
But I'd retreat if ever I was bit
To say more simply - I did what I chose
But I did as told when an order arose

One day in the past, I was out with a friend
We were in search of some fun and rules to bend
We only looked to play - We wanted no real trouble
But when we were together - troubles would double

My friend was a zebra, just like yours truly
His hair was much shorter and he smiled cruelly
Though his appearance was mean
And his personality was witty and keen 
The zebra was really very sweet inside
He just saw kindness as something to hide

On the day I earlier mentioned, we were spending time at his house
It was an interesting day to say the least - We had found him a pet mouse
His mother was not at all pleased to see the little critter in the box
So we had to find a better shelter - One that came with locks

The new cage was not at all difficult to find
For we found a shop owner who was very kind
He gave us a mouse cage, free of charge 
It was perfect - Not to small - Not too large

So we played with the new pet while he sat in his cage
The mouse ran back in forth, seeming to be in a rage
We laughed at the mouse, for it seemed very cute
But the squeaking ceased and it sat quite mute
For a moment we worried, but we came to realize 
The little critter was staring at our lunch with sparkling eyes
The two of us laughed as he looked at our leftover food
So we gave him a bit of lettuce and he ate in a brighter mood

We let the little mouse eat
I really thought that it was neat
He cheeks seemed to poof
He looked like quite the goof
As he settled in his very new house
We left alone that little cute mouse
We left the room and went downstairs
Laughing at the day and previous dares
Down in the kitchen, there was something new
A doughnut on a plate and a big pot of vegi stew
"I think my uncle made that," my friend said
I only responded with the tilt of my head
He went on, "He does strange things"
He explained he once tried to grow wings

We looked at the food - We thought it looked good
We wondered if we should eat it and figured we could
So I took the doughnut for myself and he took the stew
We ate quite greedily - Breaks between bites were few
The food was delicious - We both ate every last bite
We cleaned our plates and went out to enjoy the night
Not much time passed before I began feeling odd
My friend asked if i was alright - I gave him a nod
I didn't want to worry him - I wasn't sure of the problem
It wasn't at all normal but not quite yet fearsome
We trod away from the home, enjoying the air
Not much time passed before I was forced to care

My hooves no longer hit the ground
I yelped at the serious issue I found
My friend looked at me with concern
I looked to the ground trying to return 
Still, my hooves hit against nothing
Forward I went with every hoof swing
I glided through the air with shock
Up and up I went - I needed to stop
My friend jumped up to grab my tail
The pain struck and I let out a wail
My friend pulled me along to his home
To my luck, there wasn't far to roam

When he took me in he let me go - I floated to the ceiling
He looked at me confused - I tried to ignore my sick feeling
We wondered how to fix the problem that had occurred
I did not want to spend my life in the air like a flying bird
"I think this is from that food you ate," my friend hypothesized
"It did happen soon after you ate," he then knowingly revised
"But how do we fix it," I asked him in horror and fear
He looked at me and frowned with a twitch of his ear

My friend rushed to his uncles study
I waited for him, growing a bit angry
"Sorry," he chuckled, coming back
He led me, by tail, near a tall book stack
As I waited and watched from high
He read with a serious look in his eye
He was determined to help me down
But I was worried at sight of his frown
He couldn't find anything of help
He tossed a book with a soft yelp

The night passed by and I was stuck in the air
I had taken what wasn't mine - Perhaps it was fair
Still, I wanted to get down and I wanted to trod
I wasn't meant to fly - I didn't like the strange mod

His uncle had returned, giving us relief
He looked at me and laughed in disbelief
"Did you eat my doughnut? I was saving that"
He questioned as he removed his old hat
I nodded feeling embarrassed by my deed
"Don't worry, you'll be fine," he had decreed
My eyes brightened up and he gave me a smile
"The affects will wear off. Just give it awhile."

Two days had passed before all was well
Until then I had many things on which to dwell
My dear children, please remember this
This is not the lesson for you to dismiss
Never take what does not belong to you
You may be surprised and won't know what to do
So only take the things of which you can be sure
Are alright for you to touch and won't need a cure