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// Chapter 1 
// Story: Grocery Shopping with the foals 
// by R Hooftscastle 
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       Midmorning at the Hooftscastle residence find the mother of the house, Star Chaser, getting her two smallest foals ready for a minor adventure. “Tim, Maci, come get your coats on. You both know we need to do some grocery shopping.” Grabbing two jackets hung near the door, she waits as small hoofsteps rush her way. Looking down at the two foals, she helps each one get ready for the mild winter day. Petting their manes, she smiles. “Remember, you two, once we get to the store, you must stay close to me. We don’t want anypony getting lost again.” The mare smiles warmly as the two foals blush slightly.
The trio of ponies headed out to the family wagon and made their way to the grocery store. After a quick and uneventful trip, the family made it into the parking lot and the mare found a parking spot near the front of the store. With care, she got the two foals out and safely guided them to the store. Grabbing a cart, the mare took a look at a flyer listing the weekly specials. “Okay, my little ones, remember to stick close to mommy and not to run to the bakery ponies for free cookies.” The two foals nodded and some of the customers around them chuckled at the comment.
With a smile on her face, Star headed into the store, the two foals sticking by her side. Paying little attention to the cheesy music playing overhead, the mare headed towards the produce department. With a check of her shopping list, the mare guided the foals towards the fruit displays. Looking around, Maci spotted containers of fresh berries neatly stacked. Looking up at her mother, the filly smiled. “Mommy? Can we please get some blueberries today? They look really yummy and I promise to be good!”
With a warm laugh, Star smiled and pet her head. “Certainly, sweetie. Just let mommy pick some tasty looking ones out.” After placing a bag of apples into her cart, Star made her way over to the berries and the waiting filly. Carefully inspecting the various containers, she soon found two containers filled with only good berries. The filly smiled while watching her mother, already wanting to eat the fruit.
Looking down, the mare smiled at the small colt. “Tim, is there something you would like to get?” Looking around, the colt quickly pointed to some bags of small tangerines. Nodding and smiling, Star grabbed two bags and placed them into her cart. “Good choice, every pony will enjoy these.” Tim smiled at the kind words from his mother. With a look around, Star made her way through the produce department, grabbing an assortment of fruits and vegetables for her family’s meals and snacks.
With the scent of fresh baked goods filling the air, the two foals looked around while sniffing at the smell. With all the patience of small foals, they stood close to their mother, wishing she would hurry towards the bakery. Soon enough, the cart contained enough fruits and vegetables for the family, and the mare lead the foals away from the produce.
Looking down to her foals, she smiled. “Are you two ready to go see if there’s anything good in the bakery today?” The foals nodded quickly, eager to reach the source of the smells filling their noses. With a soft chuckle, Star guides the two towards the bakery, making sure they were sticking close to her sides and not getting in the way of any ponies shopping or working. “Maybe if you’re lucky, the kind ponies working there will have some free samples for you to try.”
Carefully and quickly making their way to the bakery, the two foals looked around.  As they looked, the two were careful to try and catch the eye of any employee that happened to be around them.  With the sweetest smiles they could put on their faces, the two waited patiently, eagerly waiting for somepony to bring them a treat. After a few moments, one of the workers spotted them, and headed over to the foals and Star.
“Good morning, Mrs. Hooftscastle. Would it be okay with you if we give your little foals a snack?” Golden Loaves smiled at the family.
With a nod, Star smiled. “Yes, I think that would be very much appreciated, Golden.” Chuckling softly, she continued, “Judging by their smiles, they were waiting for somepony to spot them.”
Giggling softly, Golden heads back into the bakery, returning shortly with two small cookies. Smiling, she gave one to each foal. “One for little Maci, and one for tiny Tim.”
“Thank you, Miss Golden,” smiling, the two happily munched on their cookies.
With the foals distracted, Star quickly took the time to pick out some doughnuts and fresh bread for the family.  Getting the attention of her foals, the family headed out of the bakery and through the rest of the store. As they walked through the store, Star checked her list and gathered all the various items that were needed.  Finally, with a full cart, the three headed towards the front of the store and got into line at one of the cash registers. 
While Star talked to the cashier and unloaded the cart, the two foals slipped around her and headed for the front of the register. Getting seated on a bench, they watched as the items were rung up and placed into bags. After a few minutes, Star placed the loaded bags into her cart and paid for her groceries.  With a cart loaded, the mare gathered her foals up as well.
“Okay my little ones, time to get our groceries home so we can have ourselves some lunch!” Nodding, the foals followed Star out of the store and to the family wagon. As the mare loaded the bags, the two carefully got into the wagon and took their seats.  Joining them after placing the cart away, the mare began the trip home
“I’m very happy with how well you two behaved in the store today. You listened to me, and didn’t complain about anything.” The two foals smiled as they travelled home, and once there they did their best to help carry the groceries in for Star.  With all groceries soon put away, the two foals took their seats at the kitchen table and waited as their lunch was prepared. Petting their heads, the mare gave them their lunch, pleased with how well the shopping trip had gone.