Showing Kindness
The echo of quick, small hoof-steps was heard throughout the hallways of Magic Kindergarten. A young, lavender unicorn named Twilight Sparkle was running, tears freely flowing down her face. She didn't care if she abandoned the classroom in the middle of class. All she knew was that she wanted to get out of there.
She turned a few corners before reaching an empty area near the cafeteria. It was after lunch, so nopony was over there now. She plopped down and leaned against the wall behind her. She threw her head onto her legs and covered her face with her hooves.
Memories from the last few minutes came flooding back into her head. They made her feel small; like she was the worst unicorn in the class. She felt like she couldn't do magic at all compared to the other foals. And they liked to get under her skin about it.
Also, to make matters worse, Twilight was a blank flank. Many other unicorns in her class had awesome cutie marks centered around magic. She didn't even know what special talent she possessed! Tears continue to flow onto her coat.
She quickly made sure to tuck herself away a bit more. She had left when the teacher was out of the room, but she knew that her teacher would be down to find her in a minute. She tried to get as small as possible in hopes to hide from whoever came her way.
After a few minutes of sitting in silence and tears, she heard hoof-steps. Her ears perked and her pupils narrowed. She immediately tried to get as small as possible. She knew she would probably get in trouble for this. Her parents would be so upset! Well, at least she'll have Shining Armor to help her.
She kept her head hidden, not wanting to see who was approaching. Her eyes were squeezed shut, not wanting to accept the punishment that she knew was coming her way.
"Oh? What's this?" A calm, soothing voice asked. Twilight's ears perked up at this. She knew that voice from somewhere. She also knew it wasn't any of the teachers at Magic Kindergarten. Cautiously, she took her face out of her hooves, her puffy eyes nervously glancing up. As she saw the pony standing next to her, her pupils immediately shrunk. There, in front of her, was none other than Princess Celestia. She blinked, not believing what she was seeing.
"Who might you be?" She asked as Twilight's form visibly shook with nervousness.
"T...Tw... Twilight Sparkle!"
Celestia picked up on her nervousness in a split second. "Don't be scared, my little pony. I'm not going to hurt you." She said. The sincerity in her voice was enough to convince Twilight to fully emerge her face. She looked at the princess in awe, not knowing what to say.
The princess broke the silence, keeping her calm, sympathetic gaze on the filly. "I decided to walk in here and see what the unicorn foals are learning today. It always makes me happy to see young ponies so eager to learn." She stopped and sat down next to Twilight. "Though, I did not expect to see a little filly huddled up in the corner like this."
Twilight slowly nodded her head. "Hm."
Celestia scanned Twilight. "May I ask what happened? You don't have to tell me. I just want to help you."
Twilight looked at the Sun Princess with wide eyes before starting on her story. "Well, Princess Celestia, in class, I did worse than everypony else on a spell."
Celestia raised an eyebrow. "So? Everypony learns at a different pace; it is nothing for you to be ashamed about."
Twilight shook her head. "I know... but... everypony else was making fun of me for it!"
Celestia's eyes widened. "Why would they do that?"
Twilight's eyes started to water again. "Because I'm a failure! I don't even have my cutie mark yet!" She answered, a tear now falling from her cheek.
Celestia draped a wing over the filly's back. "Twilight Sparkle, you are not a failure. Nopony is."
Twilight rubbed her eye. "How would you know? Maybe I'm different from everypony!"
Celestia looked at Twilight for a second. "Twilight, I guarantee you have a lot of potential. You just have to find it."
Twilight looked into Celestia's eyes. "But how?!" She then took a breath. "I'm sorry, Princess Celestia. I am being so disrespectful to you. Why are you even staying around to help me?"
Celestia gave Twilight a sympathetic smile. "Don't feel bad about this, Twilight Sparkle. You are not being disrespectful. And I'm helping you because you looked lonely and sad, and I wanted to help you feel a bit better. It's one of the many things I have made my duty as the princess of Equestria."
Twilight blinked. "But... you're the Princess of Equestria! I'm just a regular unicorn. You don't have to help me."
Celestia shook her head. "But I do, Twilight Sparkle. I couldn't leave you crying in the corner like you were." She then stood up, taking the wing off of Twilight's back. "Now, let's get you back to class, shall we?"
Twilight was about to protest, but quickly decided against it. "Of course, Princess." She stood up as well, stretching her legs a bit. She then walked alongside the princess, dreading her arrival back into the classroom. What would be awaiting her? A glaring teacher? Mocking classmates? Her ears folded back as she thought of this.
Celestia looked down to Twilight. "Twilight Sparkle, do you by chance have any friends?"
Twilight shook her head. "Not really."
Celestia nodded. "Well, I would recommend making some friends here. They could help you the next time somepony bullies you." Celestia then looked ahead. "There is no greater magic than friendship. I want you to remember that, Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight nodded without hesitation. "Of course, Princess Celestia."
The two were soon near the classroom. Twilight bit her lip as Celestia opened the door with her magic. The class was stopped as everypony looked through the door with wide eyes. Their glances drifted from Twilight to Princess Celestia.
Celestia gave a peculiar look to the students, and then looked to the teacher. "I'm terribly sorry, but while walking through the hallways today, I happened to see Twilight Sparkle in tears. She's feeling better now."
The teacher nodded, her form visibly shaking. "Oh! Thank you, P-Princess Celestia!"
Twilight took her seat as she looked to Celestia. "Well, I'll be on my way now. Have a good day, everypony." She finished as she turned and left the classroom. Twilight saw the tip of her regal tail fade out of view before looking to her teacher, whose face was full of surprise.
"Alright... um... let's get on with our lesson... shall we?"