//------------------------------// // Little Yellow Trotting Hood // Story: Once Upon a Time // by That1Brony3 //------------------------------//      Once upon a time, there was a young mare. This filly loved her wearing yellow hood so much, everypony started to call her Little Yellow Trotting Hood.         One day her mother told her “Your grandmother is very ill. She will need somepony to watch over her today.” Her mother handed her a basket. She told Little Yellow Trotting Hood, “These are muffins for grandma. You must promise not to eat them. I’ll make you some for when you get home.”         “Okay” she replied, and galloped off toward her grandma’s house. Her  grandma lived deep in the Everfree Forest, a place dreaded by everypony for the creatures told of in old pony tales. She had only just entered the forest when she was met by a mysterious mare, much bigger than her. “Where are you going, my dear?” “To my grandma’s house” Little Yellow Trotting Hood replied cheerfully. Then, growing suddenly deep, said “She is quite ill and needs to be watched. This, of which, I am doing.”         “Where does your grandma live?”         “About half a mile west of Zecora’s” she said. “I’ve already traveled quite a ways.”         “You must feel very tired” the mysterious mare said. “Why don’t you rest and pick some flowers for your dear grandmother?” “That’s a great idea.” She said. “Why did I not think of it?” she asked herself as she walked away to find a place to rest. After a while, Little Yellow Trotting Hood started to become very hungry and dreadfully sleepy. She decided to eat one of the scrumptious looking muffins from her basket to quench her surprisingly sudden hunger. After the oh-so-delicious muffin was gulped down by Ms.Trotting Hood, her drowsiness began to take over her. I'll just take one quick nap and then I'll be back on my way, was her last thought before the intense sleepiness took over her body. When she woke up from her nap, she saw the sun setting on the horizon. Dang it, She thought, I’ve overslept again. I’ve got to get going. She ran as fast as she could, forgeting the remaining muffins where she was resting. By time she got to her grandma’s house, she was panting, sweating, and overall miserable. Not to mention, it was dark in the Everfree forest. This is when all the creatures would be out. In her haste to get into her grandma’s house, she didn’t notice that the door was open before she got there, but still closed it. “Grandma…” she called. “I’m in here, Sweetheart” called a voice from the bedroom. “Your voice, grandma. It’s changed.” Little Yellow Trotting Hood commented. “Why, yes. It has.” The pony in the bed replied. “And you are so much bigger than I remember.” Little Yellow Trotting Hood observed “I guess I could have grown.” replied the other pony. “Oh no.” Little Yellow Trotting Hood gasped. “What’s that, my dear?” Asked the other pony. “I forgot the muffins I was supposed to bring you!” Little Yellow Trotting Hood exclaimed. “I can think of another snack” said the pony as she jumped at Little Yellow Trotting Hood. It was the mare she had earlier met in the forest. The unicorn started to shoot spells at Little Yellow Trotting Hood as she galloped around the house, screaming for help. Luckily for Little Yellow Trotting Hood, there was another pony walking around the Everfree forest that was able to hear her cries for help. This pony burst through the door, tackled the sorceress, and knocked her out, to make sure she couldn’t fire any more spells. The pony was wearing a cape, so Little Yellow Trotting Hood couldn’t tell who had saved her. “Who is it that I should thank for saving my life?” Little Yellow Trotting Hood asked the covered pony. “It is I,” said the pony, taking her cover, But it wasn’t a pony. It was a zebra. “ I, Zecora, heard your cries for help. For those who whelp as you, I knew there was something I could do.” “Thank you Zecora for saving me, but where could my grandmother be?” Asked Little Yellow Trotting Hood. They looked high and low in the house, until they came to a closet from which the heard banging. Oh no, Little Yellow Trotting Hood thought, She must be hurting herself, banging like that. She opened the closet and her grandma fell out. “Help me untie her, Zecora.” Little Yellow Trotting Hood begged. Together they were eventually able to untie her grandma. “Oh my gosh” grandma exclaimed as soon as she was untied. “I saw a flash, and I was in the closet.” “Are you hurt, grandma?” Little Yellow Trotting Hood asked. “I’m fine, but have you seen that mare before, Little Yellow Trotting Hood?” “Actually, I have.” she told both the elders about her journey there. “I meant to take a short nap, but I lost track of time.” “That’s fine, darling. As long as we’re all alright.” “It is not wise to venture in the woods at this time of night.” Zecora put in, just as Little Yellow Trotting Hood was about to leave. “What shall I do then?” Little Yellow Trotting Hood asked, “I need to get home” “You can both stay here, then. At least until day comes.” “Are you sure, grandma?” “Of course I’m sure. I’d appreciate the company.” All night they talked about their experiences, in the woods and elsewhere. Little Yellow Trotting Hood learned a lot from both adults. And when morning came, Zecora offered to take Little Yellow Trotting Hood home. “Thank you, Zecora” Little Yellow Trotting Hood said. “It is my duty to serve the needy, for those in the forest seem to be greedy.” Zecora responded. As they walked through the forest, they came upon Little Yellow Trotting Hood’s basket. “Hey!” she exclaimed “This is the basket of muffins I forgot in my hurry to grandma’s." “Then pick it up,” she said, continuing to walk, “and let’s get out of this forest.” When Little Yellow Trotting Hood got home, she saw her mom, waiting outside for her. Her mom embraced her. When she finally let go, she asked, “Where have you been?” “Where do I begin?” asked Little Yellow Trotting Hood, sarcastically. “Why don’t you go take a nap.” she said, then looking to Zecora, said “Thank you, Zecora.” “No problem. Now, if you’ll excuse, I have many things to do.” Zecora replied.