//------------------------------//
// What makes greatness?  
// Story: The Musings of Goodwin Alligator Mississippiensis (AKA Gummy the alligator) 
// by OriDragon 
//------------------------------//

I stand on the windowsill as the mid-morning sun bathes the thatched rooftops of ponyville in a golden luster, only half listening to the exuberant babble of my caretaker as she bounces around the flour caked countertops. "Isn't this exciting Gummy?" She asks as she dumps a bag of sugar into her mixing bowl, "Applejack's birthday is finally here! I've been planning this surprise birthday party ever since last year's, after all, only the best for one of the greatest ponies I know!" My poofy pink-haired friend grabs a whisk and mixes her batter vigorously, splattering both of us with sweet smelling chocolate.

I find my curiosity peaked, not by the sticky substance stuck to my scales, but by her description of the equitable farm mare as, 'one of the greatest ponies' she knows. She seems to give this title rather haphazardly as I have heard her say the very same about multitudes of ponies. I was always under the impression that great, in this context, means notable, remarkable or exceptionally outstanding, if everyone is 'great' wouldn't that just become the social norm, thus robbing the word of its meaning? And what is greatness? I suppose most view it as sompony's ability to preform at a higher quality than others with similar talents. Those who participate in the Equestrian Games are great athletes because they are faster, stronger or posses more endurance than their rivals, great scientists have made more discoveries than any other of their profession, great manufacturers produce high quality goods that surpass that of their competitors. That's what greatness is, so why does Pinkie Pie insist that everyone she meets is great? 

I am snapped out of my meditation when I hear the lack of Pinkie's sing-songy voice, and feel her eyes staring at me. She's expecting me to do something, so I blink. "You're right gummy," she gasps, her bright blue eyes filled with alarm, "How could I forget the invitations!?" Before I have time to blink a reply she swipes me from my favorite thinking spot and tosses me into her wild mane as she rushes towards her basket of decorated party invitations. After tying it securely to her head, she zips out the door faster than a comet. My caretaker spends the next half hour bouncing through the streets giving invitations to anyone and everyone as I peek through her mane, taking in the sights and sounds of the busy market. 

My curiosity is once again peaked when Pinkie stops to chat with a familiar grey Pegasus. "Thanks for the invite Pinkie Pie, but I'm afraid I won't be able to make it." The wall-eyed mare said, giving the invitation back to the pink party pony.

"But Ditzy! I promise there'll be muffins this time, blueberry ones, with butter!"

"Sorry Pinkie, I have to look for a new job. I got fired from the post office for loosing another package and now my family is relying on poor Amethyst to put bread on the table." 

Pinkie Pie's hair deflates a bit, the sudden change almost tossing me out of the little nest I had made as I cling to her ear for dear life. Ditzy gives a sad little smile, detaches me from my owner's ear and pats my head. "Don't worry, I'm sure I'll find something soon. Until then, I'll just have to keep my chin up and make sure I take care of my family anyway I can." 

The Pegasus places me back in Pinkie's mane and gives her a small hug, which Pinkie returns fiercely. When the two end their embrace, Ditzy looks at the somber look on her friend's face and smiles again, more brightly this time, 

"Tell you what, I'll bring Dinky over, eat a muffin, wish Applejack a happy birthday and then look for a new job. Sound good?" 

Pinkie pie's mane puffs up again as she jumps with joy.  "Absolutely!" She cheers, going in for another hug, "a little party is better than no party! Ditzy, you're the greatest." 

"Oh I don't know about that." Says the blushing mare as Pinkie Pie bounces back to Sugar Cube Corner.  

I soon find myself standing in the windowsill once again, the smell of freshly baked cake wafting into my nostrils and listening to Pinkie Pie's cheerful humming as she decorates the dining area for the party. Once again, I am thinking of that word, 'greatest'. My free spirited caretaker keeps using it, yet I cannot see what makes the wall-eyed mare 'great'. She does not preform at a higher quality that the other post ponies. In fact, she was so clumsy she lost her job! How could she possibly be great? I stand and ponder as Pinkie puts the icing on the cake, thinking back to how the Pegasus had gently took me into her hooves and gave a friendly pat on my head before putting me back into the safety of my poofy abode. How she had comforted our friend with a hug and a promise to come for what could be no more than a few minutes. Then it hits me. 

"Oops, sorry Gummy." 

I pay little attention to my dearest Pinkie Pie and the glob of white icing on my head as I come to a conclusion, the Pegasus mare is great because she is compassionate and considerate, even when she barely has enough to support her two children. She had every right to be  fractious and pessimistic, but she chose to be the opposite. I can't think of anypony with that type of resilience with the exception of Fluttershy. Maybe you don't need to be the most well known or the most successful to be great. Perhaps greatness lies in the little things in life, such as thoughtfullness, reliability and benevolence. Perhaps greatness can be measured on a smaller scale. Perhaps my caretaker was onto something from the very start. I slowly lick the sugary sweet icing off of my head and smile internally. Yes, she's defiantly onto something.