Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Author's note:
[While I do not like author's, notes as they destroy any semblance of continuity in a story, I feel that it is important to make a few things clear: This story revolves around the performing of music by a choir or soloist. The music I post in this story are essential to listen to, NOT WATCH. There will be times that it is important to both listen to the music and to continue reading. I will post a lot of the lyrics in the language in which they are performed and will only translate when necessary. Otherwise, I urge you to sit and listen carefully to the different notes and chords and drink them in. separate the parts in your mind and let the piece blind you to everything else. I am ignorant to a lot of good classical choral pieces and will try to use the more palatable ones. Equestria, being a musically savvy place will cause some pieces to be sung without prior knowledge of them. Also, it appears that I cannot fix the formatting in the stanzas. Sorry. I hope you enjoy the story and like the music! All future notes will be in the comments section if you desire my thoughts on the chapters.]
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J.R.R. Tolkien once said that not all who wander are lost. Some wander for the thrill of discovery and to conquer the unknown. Others wander in the hopes of finding the place that will give them happieness. Sadly, Justin Detch fit neither of the latter catagories. He was simply, and irreparably lost.
He had awoken several hours earlier in a snowbank in the middle of a forest. The last thing he remembered was sleeping in his car while in the parking lot of his office. The sudden change in environment troubled Justin, but he understood that if he stayed put, he would succumb to hypothermia. The place he was in was a pleasant wood, no brush to trip him up and not a sound to be heard. Donning his backpack once more, he headed towards the setting sun, hoping to survive the cold of the night by moving.
The woods sure are lovely. Justin started humming a simple tune as he walked.
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Rarity was watching the Crusaders as they made snow-ponies and snow-forts. Rarity didn’t mind as the orders for winter clothing was caught up after the rushed panic that always happened this time of year. The three fillies were in the middle of a heated snowball fight by the time the sun started setting.
“Girls I think that is enough roughhousing for the day. We had better get inside before we all catch a cold!” This elicited a collective “Awwww!” from the three young fillies. “How about I make you three some hot cocoa and light the fireplace?” this received a “Yayyy!”
As Rarity was turning to leave, she heard something coming from Whitetail Wood. It was not the sound of any animal she had ever heard. It sounded like…Singing. Rarity leaned in entranced by its simple melody and started following the music.
(Play this song in the background)
(when this stanza is sung) (read this very slowly with generous pauses)
Whose woods these are I think I know. Rarity walked into the wood with only the
His house is in the village though; music to guide her hoofsteps. The Stallion
He will not see me stopping here singing sounded melancholy. It was as if he
To watch his woods fill up with snow. was on the outside looking in.
My little horse must think it queer words started to perforate the melody,
To stop without a farmhouse near making Rarity stop and listen. Horse? Did he
Between the woods and frozen lake mean pony? She closed her eyes and let the
The darkest evening of the year. music enter her ears.
He gives his harness bells a shake Something was wrong with this pony.
To ask if there is some mistake. Something in the melody. Something in the
The only other sound's the sweep words. Something lost, Something…gone.
Of easy wind and downy flake. It was a cry for help! But with no urgency…
The woods are lovely, dark and deep. The source was getting close, but weaker as
But I have promises to keep, well. Rarity listened as the words became
And miles to go before I sleep, clear. Her heart broke. Nopony should
And miles to go before I sleep. sound like this. To endure like that…
The woods are lovely, dark and deep. The music started to become feeble and
But I have promises to keep, Rarity could no longer bear to listen. She
And miles to go before I sleep, heard the crunching of snow and the plod
And miles to go before I sleep. of heavy laden hooves.
She gasped at what fell before her. She would have screamed had she not heard it sing. The creature certainly looked like a monster to Rarity, but it looked so peaceful when it was laying in the snow. No fur? it must be freezing! It looked cold and that it had traveled a long distance. Moreover it needed help. Upon reaching this conclusion, she levitated the thing into the air and set off towards Ponyville.
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A dreamless sleep grasped Justin after falling in the forest. It was not unpleasant as insomnia tended to plague him. As his consciousness returned, he felt a weight pushing against him. Had it snowed after I fell? How am I still alive? I didn’t think snow was THAT good of an insulator. All his questions were answered when he felt that it was a blanket, and not snow, that covered him. “Ugg, where am i? did somebody find me?” Justin asked while sitting up and rubbing his eyes.
“I don’t know of somebody, but I do know somepony who found you.” An unknown voice said.
Somepony? What? I must be groggy still. Justin turned to face the voice and jumped at the sight. “Sweet Jesus that horse scared me!” Justin exclaimed, taking a moment to catch his breath. “now who was talking?”
Rarity frowned at this thing’s gall to blatantly ignore her and even call her a horse of all things! “Hem Hem” She started “I am a pony and I expect a little more thanks for saving you back in that forest!”
“By the Beard of Zeus! It talks?”
“She talks.”
Justin sat stunned, unsure what to make of this situation. Justin had seen many strange things as a salesman, but this topped his list. Not only was he no longer in his car, but being scolded by a talking horse! There are two options, i can either continue to deny that this white...unicorn? is talking to me, or i can apologize and play along with this little dream of mine until i wake up. Pondering this thought, Justin decided it was best to make this "dream" as pleasant as possible. After an awkward silence, Justin finally spoke up.
“I apologize for my ignorance. Where I come from, horses-” “Ponies”, Rarity chimed “don’t talk.” Justin finished. “Nevertheless I thank you for taking me in. your house is lovely.”
Justin sat up and looked around; he noticed that the room he was in was simply, yet lavishly decorated. The theme seemed to revolve around pristine white, and purple. He was lying on a sofa next to a healthy fire with a thick quilted blanket over him. The material was nice and it certainly kept him warm.
“you flatter me.” Rarity said out of habit rather than appreciation.
“Ah, but where are my manners, my name is Justin Detch. It is a pleasure to meet you miss…”
“Rarity. And the pleasure is all mine.” Rarity added with a slight bow. “Might I inquire as to why you were out in Whitetail Wood all alone?”
“I don’t know myself. I woke up there this morning and just started walking.”
Rarity shifted uncomfortably and stared at the ground. “And that song you sang, what was that?”
“Song? I sang a lot of songs today. It’s a bit of a hobby.”
“The song about the woods.”
“Ahh, that was called ‘Stoping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’. It was a poem by a man named Robert Rrost and put to music by Randall Thomson”
“I don’t know who those ponies are but your singing was beautiful!” Rarity said a little louder than she expected. “You simply must sing for me again sometime!”
Justin gave a hearty chuckle and said “I am sure you will catch me singing again." Rarity smiled and appeared to be satisfied.
"I am sure it has been a long day for you. you had better get some rest. It would be a tragedy to catch a cold!"
"Of course. Thank you." Rarity nodded and retreated up the stairs while Justin Rested his head on the couch and watched the flames until sleep caught up to him.