An UnHERD Idea
Sweet Apple Acres, a busy place. Every day, there is a lot of work to be done. Of course, the amount of work that is needed to be done can be ignored if you have fun with it. If you are not having fun, why not just take the easy way out? It surely would make the job a lot faster. Then again, the saying haste makes waste has a lot of meaning. Of course, rushing couldn’t possibly be that big of a deal as of now. Rushing was necessary sometimes, after all!
It was especially needed on the day of the Sisterhooves Social, since there were many things that had to be completed.
“Okay, Apple Bloom,” The orange farmpony said to her younger sister. “We’ve got to herd the sheep now.”
“Sheep herding?” Sweetie Belle looked at the older mare. “Rarity would never go near a sheep!”
Applejack rolled her eyes playfully. Of course Rarity of all ponies would have a problem being near such a dirty animal.
“Sis, can I save my energy for the Social?” The light-yellow filly asked. “I’m kinda tired.”
“Of course, Sugarcube,” Applejack smiled, but then put a hoof to her chin in thought. “But, this is a two-pony job, and I’m not about to ask Big Mac. He’s got his own work to get done.”
“Why don’t you just ask the sheep to herd themselves?” The unicorn filly mumbled. “That’s what Rarity would do.”
“Hey, that ain’t that bad of an idea! I might try that.” The farmpony pushed her hat back on her head, and trotted towards the fluffy animals. "Heck, these animals might just listen. Things'll get done in no time!"
“I was only kidding!” Sweetie Belle tried to reach Applejack, but she already trotted too far.
Apple Bloom sat at Sweetie Belle’s side, giving a small laugh. “I’ll give props to ya if it works.”
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Applejack galloped over to where the sheep were chewing the grass, and gave a content sigh.
Well, here goes nothing.
"Hey, uh," The orange mare began, stepping behind one of the cloud-like creatures. "I don't suppose you could waddle on into that there gate?"
The grey animal stared at the farmpony in confusion. It gave a look that said, 'are you asking if I want to go to that prison cell?'
"Okay, not much of a talker." Applejack continued. "But seriously, could you y'know, climb on in?"
Once again, the sheep stared.
"Consarn it! Just get inside! It's not that hard." AJ walked over to the gate and opened it. "Just come on in."
A few sheep surrounding the fence simply looked and the grey cloud and blinked.
"You have GOT to be kiddin' me." The freckled mare groaned and began to constantly open and shut the gate. "Just come on in!"
She went behind the grey sheep again and head butted it.
"Come on, just a bit more." She pushed the animal into the fence and opened the door. Pointing at the entrance, she sternly said, "Get in."
The sheep shook it's head an moved back to its original spot, which had been left open for him.
The orange farmpony glared at the animal. "So, that's how you're gonna be, huh?"
The sheep grunted in response.
"UGH! How am I gonna get all of y'all into the-" An idea sparked in Applejack's mind. "Fluttershy! Maybe she can help me."
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"Um, you're doing what?"
"I'm askin' the sheep to go through the gate, but they won't listen!" AJ ranted to her friend. "Could ya help me?"
Fluttershy stared at the ground. "What gave you an idea like that? I mean, I would have thought that you would, um, used a lasso, or something."
"That's just it. I can't!" Applejack threw her hooves into the air.
"Um, why not?" The butter yellow pegasus was beyond confused.
"It would take too much time, and the Social starts tomorrow!" The farmpony explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "We still have more chores to complete."
By now, Fluttershy just stared. "Aren't you just wasting more time by coming here and talking to me?"
"Pfft, no. 'Course not!" AJ waved her hoof. "That's why you should just quit your yappin', and just help me."
"Alright, if you say so."
Applejack walked back to the farm, with a confused Fluttershy in tow.
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"Um, please go inside." Fluttershy whispered calmly to the sheep for what seemed like the thousandth time.
"This is useless!" Apple horse stamped her hoof on the ground.
"I'm sorry that I was of no help." The shy pegasus said meekly.
Applejack gave a loud sigh. "That's alright Sugarcube. You can, uh, go home now."
Fluttershy slowly backed up before flying away back to her cottage.
"Okay, let's try this again."
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"Um, sis?" Apple Bloom walked up to her older sister. "You've been at this for a while."
"Hush Apple Bloom... I-I've almost got it." Applejack huffed.
She had been yelling and running about trying to get the cotton candy animals into the gate. She only managed to get three sheep inside, and was already feeling really tired.
"But, when are we going to start preparations for the Sisterhoove Soci-"
"Oh my gosh!" Applejack pupils shrank. "I completely forgot! We're not gonna have enough time!"
Panicked, Applejack shook her sister. "Forget the sheep. Just start decoratin'!"
"Could I help?" Sweetie Belle's high pitched voice asked.
"Of course you can, Sugarcube."
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The day of the Sisterhooves Social arrived, and Applejack had forgotten about a certain animal herd to attend to. She was too busy concerning about the plan she had made with Rarity and Apple Bloom. She was excited to say the least.
Finally, it was time for the race. The farmpony stood next to Sweetie Belle at the starting line.
"Good luck!" Apple Bloom smiled.
"On 'yer mark, get set, GOOOOOO!" Granny Smith, AJ's grandmother yelled.
The race had begun and everyone was running fast. The ponies jumped over the mud, and had a good time overall. Applejack prepared for her part of the plan. She jumped into the mud. As she did so, however, she heard an extra amount of hoof stamping.
"Stampede!" A pony in the stands yelled.
Applejack lifted her head out of the mud, and saw the grey sheep racing towards her. "Oh, sheep..."
WHACK!
While Sweetie Belle was distracted with the race (and running away from the walking clouds) Apple Bloom ran up to her sister. "Are you alright?"
"Apple Bloom," The orange mare's eyes narrowed. "Get my rope."
Ponies screamed and flailed as sheep practically destroyed the area.
"YEEHAW!" The grey sheep was suddenly tangled in a tight rope. "Get inside ya varmint!"
Apple Bloom smiled, and kicked at a sheep's side.
It was like a rodeo. The ponies in the stands 'oooed' and 'ahhhed' at the sight. Even competitors stopped to watch.
"Wait, if Applejack is over there, who are you?" Sweetie Belle asked the mare standing next to her.
"That's doesn't matter now, darling." A mud covered Rarity said as she got hit in the face by a ball of fluff.
"Get back here!" Applejack ran after the sheep.
Soon enough, all the sheep were properly placed inside their prison.
Applejack and Apple Bloom high-hoofed each other, while the crowd cheered.
Everypony celebrated, while a confused Sweetie Belle kept asking her sister questions.
Meanwhile, the sheep felt offended that they were tossed about like that. After all, they could have just asked.