Chapter 8 – Show and Tell
The next school day Sweetie Belle eagerly made her way to school, excited to show off her new magical abilities. Today was Show and Tell day in her class, a fun event where the ponies could tell the class something they learned, did, or owned. It was a way for the ponies to showcase themselves in order for the others to get to know their fellow classmates and perhaps to instill the idea that everypony had things that made them unique. Although Sweetie Belle was not a boasting pony, she did want to show something that she was proud of, something that she was determined to work hard to achieve.
“Hey Sweetie Belle,” a familiar voice came from behind to which the filly turned around to see Apple Bloom and Scootaloo walking behind her, hoping to catch up.
“Oh hi Apple Bloom, hi Scootaloo.”
“How are you doing,” Apple Bloom asked her friend.
“Never been better! How are you?”
“Ah’m doin’ alright,” Apple Bloom said, “But why are you so happy?”
“Yeah, you look like you found a bag of bits under your bed,” Scootaloo replied to the white filly.
Sweetie Belle knew what the two friends were asking; how she could look so sad one day after being teased and now appeared the complete opposite.
“Well, you know how I’ve been practicing with my magic?”
“No Sweetie, don’t get that stuck up little filly Diamond Tiara keep you upset,” Apple Bloom said.
“Yeah, she hasn’t said anything to you after school has she,” Scootaloo asked, “Because if she did…”
“No,” Sweetie Belle interrupted her friend to calm her down, “It was nothing like that. I actually can do magic now!”
“Really,” the two Crusaders said in unison of surprise and delight.
“Yeah, I can move all kinds of things now with my magic.”
“That’s amazin’,” Apple Bloom said hugging her, “Ah’m so happy to hear you got a handle on your magic.”
“Me too,” Scootaloo replied also hugging the unicorn, “So, what was the change? You were struggling for a while and now you’re ok.”
“I guess all I needed to do was practice,” Sweetie Belle said not wanting to tell that she had help from Twilight Sparkle after promising the Princess, “and I’m going to show it off during Show and Tell.”
“Cool,” Scootaloo said as the bell rang signaling for the ponies to get into class.
“Well good luck with your magic,” Apple Bloom said to Sweetie as they took their seats.
“Thanks,” Sweetie Belle said as she sat down, barely able to contain herself.
“Alright class,” Miss Cheerilee said trotting into class, “Today we have a couple of things to learn but first does anypony have something for Show and Tell?”
Sweetie Belle’s hoof shot up right when her teacher finished asking.
“Yes, Sweetie Belle,” Cheerilee said looking a little surprised that the filly was eager to participate after being made a fool of the school day before, “please come up and show the class what you have.”
The filly trotted up to the front of the class before facing her classmates and saying, “The thing that I have for Show and Tell today is… well… me. Actually it’s about my magic.”
A snicker was heard from Diamond Tiara who seemed ready to chide the filly, knowing that she would fail. Cheerilee gave the earth pony a stern look before turning toward the unicorn standing near her. The filly was about to leave herself in a vulnerable position, opening herself up to ridicule. But the teacher did not stop her, holding out hope that Sweetie Belle knew what she was doing.
Without another word Sweetie Belle concentrated on a pencil that lay on the desk of a classmate. She remembered what she learned about Intent, Energy, and Passion from Twilight and now was going to apply it. With a flicker of her horn, the pencil floated from the desk and high into the air before she set it carefully down on the desk again. All the while the ponies in class and Cheerilee looked silently on as the filly who couldn’t do magic was now doing so with little effort.
“And now I will move a book,” Sweetie Belle announced as she then focused on a spare reading textbook that was on the teacher’s big desk that dominated the front of the class. It was a tougher challenge but something that filly had faith in that she could do. She concentrated on the book as is shakily lifted off the desk. While still hovering, Sweetie Belle opened it up and flipped to the page that they left off before and set it down on the podium for the teacher.
“That’s all I can do for now,” Sweetie Belle said with a little bow, “So that’s what I have to show today.”
The class broke into a happy uproar as they stomped their hooves and cheered. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were the loudest to congratulate their friend. Even Cheerilee applauded the filly for her efforts and for showing her courage to the class. The only one not excited was Diamond Tiara who grumbled as it was one less thing to make fun of the filly for. As she returned to her seat, Sweetie Belle had a renewed sense of pride in her ability.