Chapter 4
Chapter 4
For Fluttershy, there were no easy answers.
The proper authorities had come, had claimed the youth, his weapon, and the accoutrements. Within a few hours all that remained to mark the passing of the boy from her garden were the squashed plants, the broken stalks, and a prevailing sense of unease and concern that floated through the pegasus.
Her friends did all that they could for her, each coming to be with her, hoping to get her to talk about her experience. Yet, in truth, there was little that she could tell them. She could tell her friends no more than she had told the officers, biologists, and cryptozoologists who had come to her little cottage.
She had tried to be polite. She had served tea, had brought them cakes and tried her hardest to answer each question.
But, by the second day, she found herself becoming assertive again… she began sending them away. She began sending the gawkers and “experts” back out of her little home.
Who would answer her questions? Who would put her mind at ease? Who would listen to Fluttershy?
Twilight Sparkle had listened.
Twilight and Spike sat up late that second night, had sat up until Luna’s moon hung high in the sky, carefully crafting the letter. By dawn’s first light a very tired dragon sent it off to the one they hoped could most help their friend.
Fluttershy sat up in the bed, staring at nothing, just letting her eyes settle on the distant wall.
“Oh, Angel,” she said, cuddling the rabbit close to her for the third morning in a row. “Why…”
Even as she sat there, staring at the same vacant spot on the wall, the knocking began. She listened anxiously, hoping that it was one of her friends. But it was not…
They’d all been using “Shave and a Haircut” just to let her know it was them.
This was not one of them.
She felt herself becoming angry. At first she tried to ignore it, simply creased her face and hoped that whatever pony had come around would simply tire after a time and leave her alone.
No, no… the knocking continued.
“G-go away!” she called out from her bed as she covered her head, her ears, and her rabbit with the pillows.
Still, the knocking continued, sounding out at perfect intervals. Anger crossed Fluttershy’s face, and she felt that part of her that seldom held dominion claiming her.
She flew down the stairs, winging her way to the door even as she prepared The Stare. “I don’t want to tell you anything else! I don’t want… oh!”
As she had opened the door Fluttershy found herself staring up into perhaps the only pony in Equestria who would not be moved by her stare.
“Oh! Oh, I am sorry Fluttershy, dear. Twilight said that you were only answering to ‘Shave and a Haircut’… I forgot! Please, do forgive me.”
“Yes, yes… t-that’s how, how my friends… were letting me know, that-that they were here,” Fluttershy stuttered, her usual demeanor returning. “W-would you, ummm, like to join me for breakfast, princess?”
“That sounds lovely,” answered Celestia, smiling down over her little pony.
They sat at the little table, the same one Fluttershy had huddled beneath as the phantoms had flit across her yard and the youth had appeared in her garden.
The conversation centered on her bird and animals, and Fluttershy beamed as her little companions gathered close to the princess. Celestia, it seemed, enjoyed hearing their songs and seeing their antics.
“Philomena sends her regards,” the princess remembered as she took another sip of her tea.
“Oh! T-that’s truly nice of her! Is Peewee training well beneath her? I bet he’s growing quickly,” Fluttershy added.
“Assuredly. I hardly think that Spike will recognize him when they return!” the princess spoke. Around them the animals and birds dozed, pruned, sang, or ate their fill. Still, one animal could not be ignored…
… the elephant. The proverbial elephant in the room sat heavily around the half-emptied jars of jam and the uneaten bits of muffins and toast.
Princess Celestia placed her cup of tea back down upon the table. She tilted her head, cleared her throat, and let a gentle gaze settle over Fluttershy. The pegasus sensed what was about to come. Angel jumped up into her lap, knowing that his presence would be welcomed. As the pegasus wrapped her forelegs around him she prepared herself for the conversation that was about to begin.
“We… I made sure his body was treated with the utmost respect. He was under guard the whole trip. Nopony was allowed to gawk or stare, I promise you that.”
“T-thank you,” Fluttershy whispered.
“Fluttershy,” the princess spoke in an earnest tone, reaching across the table to gather the smaller pony’s hoof into her own, “I want you to know that there was nothing else you could have done for him, for the boy, the youth who came to you in your garden. Even my magic might not have been enough to save him, had I known…”
Fluttershy forced a smile, looked up to her sovereign, and then back down at her bunny. Angel snuggled closer to his mistress, put his head to her barrel and let her stroke him as she sat quietly.
Finally, after long moments, the pegasus broke her silence.
“Princess?” she asked, her voice squeaking, “Who hurt him? Who put the ball in him, the one that… k-killed him?”
The princess looked across the garden, imagined the youth laying there, bleeding out and in such pain. It was such a beautiful spot, and some small part of her felt great sadness that it had been the scene of such heart-wrenching agony, and that her child her before her had been made to witness such things.
“Well, dear, to the best of our knowledge, one of his own kind…”
The princess swallowed before continuing.
“Yes, one of his own kind. And, wars being what they are, it was perhaps one not any older than himself. That seems to be the great flaw of their kind, you see. It appears that they still do not see that they are all the same…”
Fluttershy began to shake her head, slowly at first, and then in long shakes, and tears began again.
“I-I can’t believe, believe it! That, that anyone like the boy could do it… but, but I know it’s true! He was a soldier too! I saw his uniform, saw his weapon! But, but even though he was a soldier, he thought I was an angel! He thought I was an angel! H-how could any type of being who believes in angels fight… k-k-kill their own kind?”
Fluttershy’s eyes settled back on Celestia.
“He… h-he called for his mommy! He loved her! The others like him, they had to love theirs too… but how can they k-kill each other? How can any boy k-kill someone just like themselves?”
Celestia put her other hoof on Fluttershy’s foreleg, ran it up and down. As she scooped her hoof into her own she let her words fall over her child.
“They are not so different than the ponies were, long ago, before they came back over the mountain… before Luna and I called them out of the caves, back at the time of the first Hearth’s Warming,” she said softly, “back when the races still believed themselves so different from one another.”
Fluttershy eyes streamed as they looked deep into those of her sovereign.
“The race of the boy, they are not of our world, but they are so like us,” the alicorn spoke, “they just need to find their grace.
Fluttershy’s mind tried to understand the words. Instead, an important question claimed her again, the one pressing question that begged to be answered.
“Princess, please,” she asked, “why did he come here, why did he find his way to my garden… just to die? Why did he have to die here, so far from his home, from his mother, from everything he knew?”
The princess studied the pegasus. She smiled at her once again, stroked her foreleg.
“It was his fate to die, my dear, as sad is that is to think upon,” she spoke, “and we can only hope that for whatever reason he picked up that weapon, and wore his uniform, that it was a cause that he believed was just and good… just as we hope that those who took his life believed.”
Fluttershy blinked, trying to understand the words.
“As for why here, all I can say is that, because you are you… because you are kindness, and that you were just as fated to show him what kindness you could,” she said. “Your element, kindness, compassion, burns bright in you, and that was what he needed… needed to see an angel, see an angel so that he could pass in peace. But, as for why here, in your garden, in my kingdom, in Equestria, there is another reason. That happened so that he would be remembered.”
Fluttershy blinked, pondered. If… if she was fated to give him what little comfort she could, she should also be able to remember him. Yes, yes… whatever else, she could do that.
“Can you do that, Fluttershy?” Celestia asked, “Can you honor him? Can you remember him?”
“Yes,” Fluttershy breathed, “Yes, yes of course.”
Celestia smiled to her child. Her expression reflected her belief that the little pony would do just that. As cyan eyes reached up to her, softening, Celestia had a thought. Yes, there was a way to help her pony begin to heal from her ordeal, let her find some peace.
“Fluttershy?” the princess asked, “If-if I could arrange, to… to have his body brought back to you, would you bury him? Would that help you find some, well, closure?”
Fluttershy blinked again.
“His weapon, and the elements that go with it, they must remain in Canterlot,” the princess said, tilting her head back and forth, “but the uniform, his effects… these, could come back to you, if you wish…”
Fluttershy let Angel drop to the earth, and as the rabbit watched Fluttershy trotted to the far side of the table. There she fell into the chest of her sovereign, and as Celestia wrapped her tight in an embrace it was only one thing that Fluttershy could do, and there was only one thing she could say…
“Thank you.”
The next day dawned with a chill, a bracing chill that drove the fact that autumn was upon them through the ponies and dragon that gathered in the garden.
The ponies stood around a cleared patch of the garden, one where the plants had been cleared away, and before them a fine lacquered box stood over a pit dug into the black earth.
On a hillside not far away a few stones marked the places where animals that had touched Fluttershy’s life were laid to rest. Dear little friends, companions who, in their time, had been as important in her daily life as Angel was now… those were the ones buried there, where she could come and remember.
Her friends had asked why she chose the garden for this burial, why here instead of that distant hill? In the end, she had said, here is where his blood had already been shed. He was already a part of this garden, and here, she thought, he should stay. The boy from somewhere beyond, the youth in the garden where she could always remember his voice lifting and naming her as an angel.
The ponies all looked on Fluttershy as she draped the canteen and haversack, each meticulously cleaned, over Spike’s shoulder. She spoke to him in gentle tones as she and Rarity adjusted the straps and tacked them with a few safety pins so that they would not drag on the ground.
“I-I didn’t think it right to, right to let them just go… I-I thought that they might still, still be useful. I thought that you might like them,” she said, as she stepped back to examine the dragon whelp.
Spike looked down across himself, and then back up to the pegasus. He leaned forward, gathering her in a hug. “Thank you, Fluttershy. Thank you so much.”
Spike released her, and as Fluttershy walked towards the box Rarity came with her. “T-thank you for cleaning the uniform, f-for sewing the buttons back on,” the pegasus said to her dear friend, “I-I would have done it m-myself but, but I…”
“You are most welcome, Darling,” Rarity said, laying her head to that of Fluttershy, “You were… occupied.”
Fluttershy took a deep breath, and alone among the gathered ponies she stepped forward and looked within the box.
The youth looked like a proper soldier. Cleaned of dirt and blood, and in a freshly sewn and spotless uniform, he looked so much better. He looked so much more serene than before.
He still looked far too young.
As the detachment of Royal Guardsponies looked on she lifted Angel so that he could offer a product of the garden to the still form, put them among the cold, still hands that gripped the odd little hat that sat upon the youth’s chest. As the rabbit deposited the peppermint there Fluttershy kissed him and then laid him back upon the black earth.
Angel hopped once, and then turned to better hear her words.
“Please, p-please, forgive me,” she whispered, “but… b-but I kept the locket. I-I kept it because maybe, maybe someday… maybe, just maybe someday I’ll see her. That way… that way, if I keep the locket, I can tell if it’s her… and I can keep my promise. I want to keep my promise… both of them. I-I hope you understand…”
The pegasus lifted a lock of the youth’s hair, and let the fair colored strands settle back beyond his ear. With one last glance over him she nodded to the sergeant, and soon the face of the youth was gently covered by silk.
“Nightfall” began to drift in from a distant soldier, the trumpet carrying on the chilly air. As the sound of it reverberated around the cottage the guardsponies lowered the box into the black earth.
All of her friends leaned close to her, almost jostling her uncomfortably as they reached for more hooves than she could offer. As she watched Fluttershy could only hope that the spirit of the youth had flown to wherever it could be happy. She begged, pleaded that he was free, that perhaps he was with his mother, and with his god.
She hoped, hoped, hoped that on whatever beautiful world had sustained the youth, and among the amazing race that had birthed him, raised him, and killed him, that there was no more strife. She hoped that it had disappeared in the smoke of whatever conflict had taken his life. She hoped, earnestly, powerfully, that among them there was no more reason for death, pain, and weapons…
… that there were no more wars.
End.
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Goddamn TD, I'm Australian, know barely anything about the American Civil War other than the homework you set us, and this story still made me tear up. Beautiful writing.
Are you particularly a Civil War enthusiast, or did you just pick a war at random? This story could work with almost any war ever, and I expect different people would get different emotional impacts depending on their nationality and which war you picked - I would pay good money to see a version/sequel to this for the Battle of Culloden.
Great job as usual, mate.
Just like aljada
I'm an Aussie and have hardly anything about the civil war either.
BUT
This still pulled at my heartstrings
Oh god sir.
This made me cry.
Seriously.
I fucking love you.
This was great.
You are wonderful.
Oh god I'm crying.
This was beautiful and you should be proud.
This deserves to be forever remembered.
Thank you for this masterpiece, sire.
Love,
-Cortex Repository
P.S. Oh god I'm crying.
1263186
I'm glad that the contrast stood out for you, Lurk. No, it wasn't easy to write... I'm a student of the Civil War, and I feel a real connection to the stories it presents. I'm going to be at Antietam this weekend, and I expect it shall be emotional for me.
1263191
Glad I could get some emotion out of you!
I have a huge interest in the American Civil War. I am in fact a Civil War Re-enactor, and I shall be participating in the reenactment of this battle, Antietam, this weekend.
1263329
I'm very glad that there was emotion in this story for you. Thanks for reading and commenting!
1263357
Forgive me, but I'm deleting this comment. This is a story about an actual boy, an actual soldier, who actually was killed in a real battle. This story was meant as a tribute to him, so I do not find advertising to be appropriate here.
1263394
I am indeed proud, and I take the emotional response you are having as a high compliment. You do the memory of the youth well with your tears.
I really wish he hadn't died... ugh. That would have been great, if he had been able to live in Equestria... darn it.
TD, I like the added content that you incorporated into the story. I found those maps of the battles quite interesting and to actually see the graves of some of those that you mentioned really made your story more realistic. I also liked that you went with a soldier who ended up MIA at the end of the battle.
1263650 Concerning the re-enactment, do you know what side you will be on and what general you are supposed to be under the command of? All the same, it sounds like an enjoyable time. Do die honorably if you get hit. Also how did you get into that re-enactment stuff? How could some join something like that?
>posted new story
Ah yea, cool, gonna be like a prologue or something
>18k words, 4 chapters
I love you man. I love you.
i.imgur.com/Cc9Uy.gif
1263689
I had thought of what it would have meant if the youth had lived, but in the end the story would have lost a lot of its emotion if he had survived the wound. I hope that the way that the story went didn't destroy the story for you.
1263963
Here's a great narrative by Stetson's father about how he went to recover his son's body, and laid it out in the grave. He met a dying Roosa there, and there's pictures of both if you'd like to do some reading.
I chose Allorian Bassett specifically to be the youth because he went missing, and because he was so young.
As for reenacting, I've died horrible, tragic deaths upon dozens of battlefields, so that's not new and I shall do my best!
I got into reenacting about six years ago, mostly because of my love of the Civil War. You can only read about it so many times before you feel the need to try to understand what they went through. It's an expensive hobby, but many units will let you borrow equipment until you begin buying your own.
At little events, my unit commands itself (like when we're doing talks at national parks). At big events like the Antietam reenactment I'm about to do a national organization with elected officials takes over command an organization.
Joining a Civil War Reenacting unit is as easy as finding one that fits your needs and personality, what type of unit you want to represent, and your commitment. You've just given me an idea for a blog post, so I'll go about it there!
1263994
Oh! Thanks for the catch, man! I'm glad that I've inspired you to look into the A.C.W! f you have any questions about it, let me know!
1264017
Aww! Thanks! I love me too!
1264193
Just manly tears? I was bawling aloud when I wrote it!
Just...wow. That was such a powerful story.
I don't know how you do it. Can you share some of that story-writing awesomeness with some of us? Shouldn't be fair to hog it all to yourself. :P
1264215
I sell it for $5 in a six-ounce can, Van.
1264260
And I'm sure that 5 dollars worth of awesomeness works for...what, only one paragraph? One Page?
But it'll be the BEST PARAGRAPH/PAGE EVER WRITTEN. XD
Well, made me cry.
As has been mentioned, him interpreting Fluttershy as an angel and then dying after singing Amazing Grace was very powerful.
1264292
Depends upon how thick ya' spread it!
1264337
I'm glad it was very powerful for ya', DJ... gee, I've got to make some comedies here again soon, huh?
All in all, I'm glad you wrote this, and glad that I read it. But, pardon me when I say that I doubt I will re-read this story.
1264410>>1264429
I'm certainly glad that you gave it a go the first time, Lurk. Painful indeed...
The feature box was cloying me during the last few weeks with all the "romance" titles...
You came just at the right moment. Thanks for giving my fill
As for the story itself... This is my way of showing I shed a tear:
Good God... I expected something of a high standard from you, but this, this story surpassed all my expectations. The two timelines fit together seamlessly, and the idea of Equestria seeming like heaven to poor Bassett is just inspired. When he was dying and started singing 'Amazing Grace', that was when the tears were properly streaming down my face.
You said that you set out to put a different spin on the Human in Equestria genre. You succeeded with flying colours, if you ask me.
Reading this and listening to Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier by James Taylor sure brought tears into my eyes.
A beautiful story.
Beautifully done. As always my friend, as always.
The Civil War is one of the few things that genuinely strikes a chord with me. It's far too easy to relate too. I grew up outside of Richmond, sandwiched right in the middle of all Hanover Counties battlefields. It surrounded me. I can see the Cold Harbor memorial park from my grandmothers, and I drove past the garthright house to get to my wifes while we were still dating. The civil war is still a real thing in these places, where you can still see earthworks preserved. They're so common, kids in my neighhborhood used to melt down old lead balls to make sinkers for fishing. When it gets expounded upon it's very jolting, being reminded of how violent something you've always been around used to be.
that was just so butiful (forgive my spelling)
that last picture blew my mind
I cant even make words, too many feels
Damn... There aren't many fics out there that make me cry like this.
Real powerful stuff here.
1264575
I'm glad I was able to give you something to peruse! I'm also glad that it struck an emotional chord. Nice song!
1264858
I consider that high praise, Nos! Thanks so much!
1265068
I'm very glad that I could supply you with something emotionally powerful. Thanks for reading and commenting!
1265575
I can see that it still has a presence for you too, and I'm glad that I was bale to bring some life back into it for you. Thanks, as always, for reading!
1265801
You are forgiven... and thanks so much!
1265892
Oh, yes... everyone in this story was a real person, taken directly from the muster rolls of the 59th New York and the 31st Virginia. I'm glad it had such a powerful effect.
1265927
I'm glad that I was able to provide you with a way to feel that emotion.
Wow. Just, wow. First off, this is an extremely moving story. Tears were shed. Second, this is probably the best HiE I've ever read. That last picture there just blew my freaking mind, and seeing how Fluttershy kept his locket, do I, by any chance, smell a sequel? I've enjoyed reading this immensely, and I look forward to your next story!
How tragic.
Very sad but good story. Barely held back the tears at the singing of Amazing Grace.
But I must ask, why did you choose Private Bassett?
Dude.
Just... Wow.
This took me by surprise. Even with checking out the homework videos setting the tone and giving the background info I was totally unprepared for all the feels. I didn't cry but I was moved past tears into speechlessness and I'm typing this up nearly 12 hours after reading so as to properly collect my thoughts. As it is I can't really think of anything to say other than you really weren't kidding when you said this would be a different kind of HiE.
I think what got me the most was that Allie was from Kingston NY, which is only 15-20 minutes from where I live, so all the flashbacks and memories of the Hudson and Catskills really struck a chord. Excellent choice. And T.J makes a great foil to him as well. And... just so much more. This story should be taught in schools and dissected in the same way as all the classics; Milton, Kafka, Chaucer etc, because it's just THAT good.
A new story from the descendant?! MUST READ ASAP!
This just gets to me cos its so.... Real, y'know?
(second read through)
1264206
I know it would have killed some of the emotional stuff, but it just sucks that he died anyway.
1267211>>1267321
I hoped that have Allorian's entry from the muster book as the last image would have an impact, and I'm glad that I made the choice to include illustrations. Thanks!
I honestly have no plans for a sequel at this moment, but anything is possible. The next story I'm working on is Lysok's commission, but don't be surprised if there's a fe side-tracks!
1267608
Indeed. Thanks for reading and commenting!
1267887
I chose Allorian for a few reasons.
1.) I searched the order of battle for a regiment at Antietam that had an interesting story to tell. I didn't want a "famous" regiment or a "elite" one, just a very normal regiment that got into a bad spot. The 59th NYVI fit the bill.
2.) In that regiment I went searching for a soldier who was young, and who went missing. Allorian J. Bassett fit the bill as well.
3.) I needed someone whose background I could reconstruct. Seeing as he was from Kingston, N.Y., I imagined him a job on the Hudson River. The rest just fell into place!
1268344
High praise from you as always, sir, and I am most grateful.
You should search your local cemetery and see if there are any soldiers from the 59th NYVI, as the regiments formed by counties back then, so there may be some near you. Roosa was from Ulster, N.Y. if you're on that side of the river and that close to the Catskills!
1268618
I hope you enjoyed it!
1268647
Indeed, very real indeed. All of the people are actual figures I took from regimental rosters...
1271486
Agreed, agreed indeed.
1271881
I'm in New Paltz so Ulster is just a hop skip and a jump away. I may end up checking out some graveyards soon. Tis the season and all, what with Nightmare Nigh- I mean Halloween around the corner.
1271881
Makes sense, I was thinking you might have been related to him or was in a unit that would have been close to your hometown
1273604
What a coincidence I live near their. Well closer to Middletown though
Damn, that's powerfully moving
Private Macintosh salutes you sir
That last chapter with Rainyday. Jezzums.
i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn105/walkseva/ManlyTearsHaveBeenShed.jpg
Never before have I found a more fitting story for this picture.
I came across this, ironically, after seeing Pins and Needles show up in the feature bix and going "Descendant; I know he's written some good stuff before, but I can't remember what it was - okay, check profile" and saw your blog post.
I generally shy away from HiE stories, but seeing the historical context, and the significance, of this, as something of lay military historian myself, I felt obliged to have a read, as my own quiet salute to the fallen.
Being English, my knowledge of the Amercian Civil War is limited to what I have osmosed, and a few of the moments that have shown up in my own reading of military history; much of it has come from came from Geoffry Regan's excellent books on military blunders, which show the bitter and tragic cost of the darker side of generalship throughout the world and the ages. Antietam recieved a mention in passing once or twice, though not in detail. (One is forced to reflect on the grim fact that this, the bloodiest battle was not, unusually, perhaps, the worst-lead in the war.)
This first person look was excellently done, nay even inspired, and powerfully written. That was a superlative memorial piece, and I think you hit the tone just right. Your goal - in ensuring that a few more people will remember the dead; those we know about, and the likely more that we don't - has been accomplished admirably.
1277801
Thanks for reading and commenting!
1277873
Indeed...
1277941
Glad that it moved you. Thanks for reading!
1278481
On Pins and Needles was in the Featured Box? I'm sorry that I missed that... but not really, as I was at the Antietam reenactment when it did.
I'm glad that you took the time to write me such an excellent note. I'm especially glad that you feel that the story completed it's primary purpose, the commemorating of a life. That makes me feel like I've truly done something worthwhile. Thank you so much!
1278547 No, no, no, thank YOU for writing such a beautiful and sad piece.
1277273
Not to hijack the thread, but cool stuff sir. If you're ever in town, stop by Gourmet Pizza where I work most nights and we can nerd out over ponies and things.
Thank you for writing this.
It's pieces like this that hammer home how much war sucks. It makes it more personal than a news report or even an interview could. The scene where they're walking among the dead and dying... it's chilling.
The contrast between the scenes from the war and the scenes that take place in Equestria creates a mood whiplash that unbalances you, and the ending gives you a shove that sends you plummeting from your emotional equilibrium into an abyss of sadness.
Damnit, you made me cry.
Thank you.
Salud y paz.
1273604
Well, I wasn't thinking anything spooky or like that. Civil War graves are easy to identify, you se, because the government provided them free to veterans. They are straight sided and have a curved top. They always have the soldier's name, company, and regiment. Following any flags, or Grand Army of the Republic markers, is usually a good way to find them too.
1286337
I'm very happy that you found those scenes poignant. I'm especially glad that the contrast between the two worlds stood out. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
made me cry not bad
1292522
Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
1294553>>1294688
The way that the two introductory chapters take up so much time has been remarked upon by others, but in all honesty I couldn't think of any other way to get the reader to truly feel what the youth was experiencing.
I'm very glad that you feel that I successfully navigated the minefield that is he HiE fic, John. I'm very glad that you enjoyed the work!
I thought this was worth saying but when the last picture showed his name i nearly lost it. The only reason i didnt cry is because i can somehow hold it all in
1263394
Ditto.
Cant stop the waterworks.
I'm a grown man i shouldn't get this teary over one little war story.
1300246
Your comment made me very glad that I decided to illustrate this story, and especially the scan from the 59th's muster book. I'm very glad that you read it and seemed moved by the story!
1301759>>1301784
I take your tears as a compliment for my writing style and in the memory of of our protagonist and the battle. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
Congrats!!!!
Thou have Been featured on EQD!
http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/09/story-youth-in-garden.html