Neatly packed cardboard boxes
A Tell Tale
By Jonathan Chung Nguyen
It was that time of year again.
My mother was busily packing our belongings in neatly packed cardboard boxes. The season of oranges was close to the end. My father's contract with the orange family was near done. At the time, I was outside kicking out the last of the orange trees. As the sun was brutally beating down on my head. Another farmer next to me, picks up the oranges that I drop. Making sure I don't miss a single spot.
When the sun exhausts itself and sets down, my father would signal me to go back. Sore wa jikandesu (It's time) my father shouts in his fancy Ponyese. During the walk back, I recall to myself the hours I worked. Sadden, realizing that my time here was also finished. As I stare back towards the empty tree fields.
During the trot home, my father was expressionless. My big brother, Kenta, was silent. I stare down towards the dusty dirt road, solemn from a hard's day work. Kenta on the other hand was poker-faced as we walked steadily back to our shack.
Yes, it was that time of year. When I opened the front door to the shack, I stopped. Everything we owned was neatly packed in cardboard boxes. Suddenly I felt even more the weight of hours, days, weeks, and months of work. I sat down on a box. The thought of having to move to Ponyville and knowing what was in store for me there brought tears to my eyes.
That night I could not sleep. I laid in bed thinking about how much I hated this move. I tossed and turned about how I won't be able to see my friends and that sweet orange girl that would be kind to me. I lumped in my bed, as my despairs were extinguish by reality.
The next morning, my father woke everyone up. Later, I was listening to shouting and screaming from my little sister and brother. They are only foals so they live so carefree and happy.
Outside, my father is readying his Ponyota BM autowagon. The truck was my father's prized procession from his homeland. He never tell me how the autowagon was special to him, but having it was all I needed. He would check the engines, clean the car till ti sparkles, and on his free time he would cruise around the farm with me inside.
After breakfast, of rice and specs of fish, my father tells us to load the autowagon. Kenta brings out the heavy boxes while I bring out the medium and small boxes with faster efficiency. After loading the mattresses on board, we all hopped inside and drove off.
As we drove away, I felt a lump in my throat. I turned around and looked at our little shack for the last time. It was only two years here, but my time here would be useless memories. As my father always reminded me...that work is the first priority.
It was close to sunset when we pulled up to Ponyville. I'd imagined it worst, but it was more luscious then the old dry farms back at our old shack. As we moved along, I would see ponies roaming around. Some fancy looking and some weird pony walking around with piles of book
My father and mother explained to us during the trip that we are working for the apple family. Funny how all these farm residents are named after their crops. My father spoke little of the local language so my mother had to talk to the home elder, Granny Smith I believe.
When we got there, my mother knocked on the front door as a big red pony answered the door. They exchange a few words as my mother walks back to the wagon saying, "The apple family agreed that we are staying during the surplus season."
Our new home was old but it was better than the old shack. It had no windows. The walls are aged and faded. It needed to be sweep and necessities were available. The only problem i had about our new home... was that it was not our old home...
As the old shade lamp lit up the room, we began to unpack and clean our new home. My father freshen up the place as my mother began to cook dinner for the rest of us. At night, we would sleep soundly, unlike the chaos looming around from our old home.
The next day, My father, Kenta, and I went to the apple fields. The fields expanded as far as i could see. As apples lay spells in the trees, waiting for us to kick. My brother cursed a bit from the enormous fields.
Around 10 o' clock, the sun was burning my neck as i continue to kick the firm tree. The pony yesterday, Big Mac, was also kicking a couple of trees near me. My brother Kenta was working another tree a bit farther away.
At 3 o' clock my head started to get exhausted as beats of sweats were falling from my mane. Earlier for lunch my father gave me and my brother some rice balls my mother made for us. She would always tell us that bento was a luxury in bigger families.
While my father, Kenta, and I where having lunch, i noticed a pretty filly walking around the farm. She had a red ribbon on her mane and walked around with an cute innocent expression on her face. I learned later that she was the little sister of big mac and that scared me quite a bit.
After the day's worth of picking apples, we arrived home to take a quick cold shower. As my mother prepared my favorite food. We sat around the old short table we use to have since i was a child. The old table still has my markings as a kid. As we all sat around eating Pho soup, invented from my uncle in Ponam.
The next morning I could hardly move. My body ached all over. I felt little control over my arms and legs. This feeling went on every morning for days until my muscles finally gotten used to the work.
The apple season was over for now and my mother made me go to the Ponyville school. I woke up early that morning and laid in bed, looking at the ceiling and savoring the thought of not going to work and going to class for the first time that year. Since I could not sleep, I decided to get up and join Father and Kenta at breakfast.
I sat at the table across from Kenta, but I kept my head down. I did not want to look up and face him. I knew he was sad. He was not going to school today. He was not going tomorrow, or next week, or next month. He was already a grown pony, he was considered to be ready for work without an school education.
After breakfast, I watch my Father and brother trot away towards the apple fields. As I prepare myself for school and trot away hearing Kio tsuke tene! (Take care) from my mother.
I walk towards the school and the tall famished building intimidated me. I was a couple of minutes late so I knocked on the door. The door opens to show the teacher, Ms. Cherilee. She says to me, "Ohh you must be the new pony. Come on, come on in." Leading me inside to the front of the classroom.
I blush to myself a bit. I was so nervous and scared. It was bad enough I starting in new school, but the whole's class center of attention brought myself over the edge. As Ms. Cherilee explains, "Class, this is our new pony. He will be joining the class as of today. Now can you tell the class your name dear."
Panicked, I didn't fully understand the local language and said..., "24." After i said that, everyone in the room started uproaring with laughter as Ms. Cherilee looked confused at me for a second. Embarrassed, I flushed and stared away towards the class to see the cute filly from the farm. I explode with emotions and I retort, "Aki I-I-watashi neemu... Aki."
After that horrible experience, Ms. Cherilee assigned me a desk...RIGHT NEAR THE CUTE FILLY! Looking towards the opposite direction. The filly says, "Hi, name's Applebloom, I think i saw yall family working in the same fields as me." As Applebloom gives a delightful smilies. I shyly reply back, feeling the whole class looking towards me, "Watashi...I see you too"
Applebloom give me a pleasant look and says, "Ms. Cherilee is making us have reading sessions with partners. I was about to pick some specific friends, but they partner up with themselves. Do you want to partner up?" My lips dried and my mind in fear, I respond, "Hai--err Y-yes." My answer was probably louder and stupider than everyone in the class.
I sunk in my chair in embarassment. Right in front of her face too. I didn't dare the look back but she put her hoof on my shoulder saying, "It's okay to be shy, my sisters's has a shy pony too." As she looks at me with understanding. But before i could relax. I open the book, to remember... I couldn't read.
Applebloom looking towards me with anticipation made me tremble in my seat. I tried to not look at her, as the recess bell rang. I felt stupid yet relieved that the bell rang. I cursed to myself thinking I SHOULD OF READ, but if i tried reading in front of Applebloom. It would sure lead to disaster. I walked away from everyone during recess to attempt to read.
I didn't know most of the words. I thought to myself all the horrific situations resulting me from reading in front of Applebloom. I walked to Ms. Cherilee, correcting papers on her desk. When I walked up towards her, she smiles. That made me feel comfortable and welcomed. I asked if she could help me with a few new words. "Sure thing", she says.
The rest of the month Ms. Cherilee was helping me to read and speak the language here. Also on the farm, I secretly met with Applebloom a couple of times. She was sweet and understanding about my speech. I loved her in the time we spent together.
One day, Applebloom asked me, "You ever thought what kind of Cutie Mark you might get?" As we walk together to school. Nervous I explained, "I d-don't know, wakarimasen."
"The same for me, You met scootaloo and sweetie belle right?"
"Hai, you show-me them few week-a-go"
As we continue on to school. Applebloom then says,
"All three of us have been searching for our cutie marks. I'm losing hope that I'll ever find mine."
Shocked, I respond,
"But you very cute pony, I'm pretty sure you-get am-azing cu--tie mark."
Applebloom blushing saying,
"Very kindly taking it from you."She smiles towards me, as we trot to school.
A few days later, Applebloom didn't show up the school. Ms. Cherilee excited exclaims, "Aki has been improving since he came here. So much that we are giving him a star award!" Everyone begins to cheer. As Ms. Cherilee gives me a small star badge saying "Excel Student."
After school I raced home. I was excited to tell my father and mother that i won an award! I ran as fast as i could home. As I came close to home, I could see Applebloom waiting for me. I thought at first she was excited to see me, but she was tearing up. I didn't understand at first, but when I open the door. A single tear came from my eye. I saw that everything that we owned was neatly packed in cardboard boxes.