A phoenix lives in the brief second of a raging fire, vivid with energy and massive, powerful strength. The warmth is overwhelming and immense, but not eternal. When a new spirit rises from the ashes, the previous must embrace its inevitable end.
Bizarre comedy disguised as something else. Humans are being transported to Equestria through no fault of their own. The only polite thing to do is to help them settle in, and that includes trading in their old money for Equestrian bits.