Hard lives breed hard ponies, whether by choice or by need. A chance meeting, a kindness rebuffed, and a direction of travel shared all lead to a journey of self-discovery on two fronts.

Cover is a composite of images from the talented artists Murphylaw4me and Dufy.

Pinkie Pie is bringing her big sister Maud around on a tour of Ponyville. While looking around Sweet Apple Acres, Maud loses her pet rock, Boulder. She receives help from Big Macintosh, and the two have a nice, deep conversation.

Thanks to RainbowBob for the idea for this ship.

Now with TWO YouTube Readings! One by Arwhale and one by DRWolf!

Now with a Spanish translation!

It was only a few days ago when I lost my voice and Fluttershy had to sing in my place with the Ponytones. Then, just the other mornin', Rarity's asked me out to a big fancy dinner in downtown Ponyville. What could this mean? Have I done somethin' wrong? Is she finally kickin' me out of the quartet? Or, even worse, could an elegant unicorn like that actually be interested in a stallion like me?

I ain't no good at reading ponies, and I'm even worse at speakin' my thoughts out loud. Rarity is a nice, elegant lady, and I'd be a plum fool to hurt her feelings. Still, the truth's gotta come out somehow. There's only one mare in this-here town who strikes my fancy, and it ain't her.

Based on an idea given to me by Propmaster.

Sequel to Let the Silence Sing!
Big Macintosh is dating Princess Celestia, and now all of Equestria knows thanks to a certain foal photographer. Dating a Princess is hard, thanks to her demanding schedule and his work at Sweet Apple Acres. The two rarely speak to one another during their get-togethers, but the silence sings between them.

Applebloom follows Big Macintosh into the orchards in the evening to find out what he does when he is alone.

Big Mac is not the most outspoken pony in Ponyville. In fact, he rarely speaks at all. All he seems to do is just work on his family's farm day in and day out. Nothing else but his orchards and family seem to matter to him.

Little does anypony know, he is fulfilling the final wish of his departed mother.

To be a simple pony.

Ever since visiting the Pie farm, Big Macintosh has had rocks on his mind.

The latest episode just kind of demanded that I write this.

Thanks to Jordanis for the swift and grammatical editing!

The sequel to Role Reversal.

It's been several weeks since Smarty Pants began her life at Sweet Apple Acres. Even after the night she shared with Big Mac, he hasn't realised her true intentions. Seemingly, his definition of 'friend' is very different to her own. When Smarty catches wind of an upcoming competition, she hatches a plan in the hopes of finally making Big Mac understand her feelings. What can possibly go wrong?

Pre-read by the, oh, so lovely RainbowBob, and edited by the omniscient Fluttrick!

Big Macintosh reflects on a day long in the past and a path he lacked the conviction to follow. A heavy price must sometimes be paid for the path one walks.

Featured on Equestria Daily.
Followup story here.

Windfall takes place seven years after FiM's main timeline. The Elements of Harmony have gone their separate ways, but are still close, and all the girls come running to be there on the eve of Fluttershy bringing her first foal with Big Macintosh into the world.

If you enjoyed this story and this fanfiction future extrapolation, please consider reading the sequel Earth & Sky