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// Clyde and the Stepsisters 
// Story: Clyde's Tales 
// by Salivanth 
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Once upon a time, there was an eminently sensible earth pony named Clyde. This was a Clyde which our beloved Clyde descended from long ago. This Clyde was also miserable as he was oppressed by his  three evil stepsisters.

One day, Clyde overheard the stepsisters discussing a royal ball with both princesses and numerous nobles attending. He realized that this was his chance to escape the tyranny of the stepsisters.

When he went to ask though, he was quickly denied of his request and given a multitude of chores to preform. Clyde knew he would have no time to attend the ball after his assignments though.

Later that night, after his stepsisters left, Clyde began a plan to sneak away to the ball and meet his Princess. But as he exited the apartment, a bright flash of light temporarily blinded him. Once his vision cleared, Clyde found himself standing before a regal looking alicorn with a vibrant white mane and a flowing red mane. He bowed down and the alicorn quickly motioned for him to stand.

The alicorn began to speak. "I feel a great sadness and a wish to escape this madness. I have come from afar, my name is Shooting Star."

"This is all true, your majesty."

"A wish of yours can be granted if spoken, be wise for after one the spell will be broken." Clyde thought long and hard, after all, any wish he made would be granted.

"I wish for coin enough to last me a lifetime."

Shooting Star smiled gently. "As you wish." Her horn lit up for a brief second before she disappeared into the night. Smiling, Clyde reentered the small apartment and he almost fainted from shock. Over half of the house was filled with shiny gold coins and bright jewels that could put the royal treasury to shame.

Clyde invested most of the money and used the rest to buy a luxurious estate and three maids: the stepsisters.

The moral of the story is: Don't give up what you really want for what you want right now.