> Letters to a Pony > by Resurgent Wanderer > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Letter Zero > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight had just brought her mail in from the mailbox when she spotted it. It was an envelope slightly larger than the rest and seemed to draw her eyes to it. Figuring that'd she'd have to open it eventually the unicorn deftly opened the letter and began to read it. ~^~Dear Twilight Sparkle, Element of Magic, Faithful Student of Celestia,and one of my personal heroes~^~ I would like to start by introducing myself. While I have personally gone through many titles, some given, some taken, some unwanted, and some made by myself, I will introduce myself as The Filly Angel. Anyway, down to business. I will first assure you that you are not being stalked in any way, nor have I been through your mail. That being said, I know that you send friendship reports to Princess Celestia every time you learn something new. I...envy your position. Not the position of power, but of the friends and the atmosphere. The sense of family and belonging. I envy you because of what you manage to have. Anyway, moving on, knowing that you sent friendship reports, it got me thinking, 'Couldn't I send them too?' I though, can't get my letters to Celestia, so I guess the main point of this letter is to ask if you would mind reading these when you get them and being my 'Princess Celestia'. It would also be cool if occasionally when I sent one in and it was, say, a Loyalty based letter, maybe you could have Rainbow Dash check it out. Finally, while i can contact you, you while be unable to contact me. Therefore I will always send my letters in the same envelope. If you wish to continue reading them, then that's great, but if not, feel free to throw them into the fire. Now to my second main point, my actual lesson for this letter. Twilight Sparkle, I have learned that you can never truly understand just how strong or deep our actions will run in the rivers of life. That while you yourself may not realize it, your actions can directly influence of those a lifetime away. That your hope, kindness, loyalty, honesty, generousity, and laughter can reach out and touch someone who might not have ever experienced it and bring them a many smiles, tears of joy, and the chance to go out and make new friends, and not be alone. Therefore, everypony should do their best to be the best friend they can be to everypony they meet, because they never know who they could reach out and touch. ~^~Your eager new student The Filly Angel~^~ Twilight read and reread the letter three or four times as tears lifted into her eyes. They weren't sad though, it was knowing that some how, somewhere, was a pony that she had helped. That the magic of friendship really was that powerful. The unicorn used her magic to duplicate the letter she'd received before she withdrew a quill and a scroll for herself. "Spike, I'm about to have a letter for you to send to the Princess!" > F.A's and G.D.'s Letter > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight was once again going out to get the mail. Ever since that last letter from Fill Angel, and after Celestia said she thought Twilight would benefit from receiving her own letter. As the mare flipped her box open, she quickly found that a letter, same envelope as the first, was in her box. Dropping all her other mail, the mare tore her new letter open and unfolded the report. ~^~Dear Twilight Sparkle,~^~ Filly Angel again. You know, I was talking to a friend a while back, G.D., and he noted that he liked something most ponies like him(male, teenager) wouldn't be a fan of, but he was. It wasn't anything major or detrimental, just a thing he enjoyed. Anyway more to the point, he noted that his father didn't approve and threatened to kick him out should it ever be brought up by him again. This made me realize that there was a lesson to be found in this. You see G.D. isn't the only one who enjoys said thing that you wouldn't be a fan of, but instead there are a number of us, including myself, that enjoy the series. It made me realize that we as a group need to stand beside and support each other that much more, because if we don't, then how can we call eachother friends? On top of that, it taught me that we have to be ourselves and support each other in the endeavour. Sure, Rarity can be a drama queen, Fluttershy can be frustratingly shy at times, Pinkie can drive everypony up the wall, Rainbow and Applejack can be stubborn, and you can get a little OCD at times, but that's what make you girls who you are, and you never stop supporting one another! In that, we have to strive to accept each others differences and love them for it regardless. One more thing before this gets wrapped up. Distance doesn't matter when it comes to friendship. Ever. ~^~Your faithful students Filly Angel and G.D~^~ Twilight grinned, thinking about how different her and the girls really were, and how much she really did love them all. Then she thought about how even when distance had split them physically, theirs bonds never changed. Lifting up her dropped mail, Twilight readied her newest letter whilst duplicating her new friendship report. Finally, once all was said and done, she realized that this might be a good letter to share with Lyra and Bon Bon and Vinyal and Octavia. Perhaps they could use the encouragement. > K.'s Letter on Friendship > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It had been a couple of weeks since the last one, but Twilight was still eagerly anticipating the next friendship report that she knew was headed her way. Nevertheless the steadfast mare continued her day as usual studying and work. As she shifted a set of books that she'd not planned on reading ever, she stopped and gave them a second look. They were the Twilight series, a fictional bookseries she'd never bothered with due to it's weird fandom. Thinking back to her last letter, she moved them to her 'to read' pile for later and went out to check her mail. Suppressing a fan filly-esque squee as she noted the tell tale letter in her box. ~^~Dear Twilight Sparkle,~^~ Filly Angel here. Hope you're having as good a time as I am, cause I just started up my first week of my second semester of college. Happy cause I'm seeing my friends again. Anyway, still learning, always learning, about friendship, and apparently so are my mates! So here's a letter from a friend who sent it to me so I could send it your way because I thought you would like it! Honestly I have learned much from friendship. I suppose one of the biggest things hat I have learned is to be more open minded and to not judge things by first glance. The show has taught me to be more kind then I was before and that EVERYPONY is a special individual and should never be overlooked due to appearance. I have always been an honest and loyal individual and the show has only increased my passion in these two areas of my personality and reinforced how important these traits are. I used to be very opposed to same sex relationships, yet now that I have been accepting and recognizing it, it has led me to question my opposition to them. This lifestyle would not work for me but I am no longer opposed to ponies that do live this way. I have never in my life seen a more wonderful group of individuals in my life before I joined the Herd. The show and the writings, art, music, etc. have given me so many happy memories that it would be impossible to tell of them all. I have no regrets for watching the joining he group and would encourage anypony in need of a source of joy to look to friendship. Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Thought that was pretty cool, seeing how things worked out for my friend K. there. I also realized that with how many ponies here want to send you what they've learned, that some letters may be a little repetitive, but I still think that they're all unique in their own ways. Also, I have my own little bit to add here. Friendship isn't always the easiest thing to sort out, and sometimes it forces us to change how we view certain things, but it is worth every second and every smile that you get when you spend time with them. ~^~Your Faithful Students, Filly Angel and K.~^~ Twilight couldn't help but smile widely as she finished reading about how simple friendship had made somepony become so accepting and had done so much for him she felt a giddy joy run through her. Trotting up to her room, the mare tucked her newest letter, her newest treasure, into her chest of her most prized possessions while thinking about this 'Herd'. 'Must be a social club or something.' Just then there was a knock at her door and she answered it. "Vinyl, Octavia, you're back in town. Guess you got my note to stop by, now come on in, I just need to get the right letter!" > A.J.'s Letter > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spike had just gotten home from an annoying day. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had just spent the past ten minutes harassing him and Applebloom because they were dating but he was a dragon. Punching the door in frustration, it gave the young drake the chance to notice that the mail was in. Pulling out the mail Spike noticed that one of the letters was larger and just different. He also remembered that Twilight always seemed happier after reading them. Curiosity getting the better of him, Spike opened up the letter and began to read it. ~^~Dear Twilight Sparkle,~^~ It's me again, and I just want to say, even if you don't read these letters, I'm happy to think that you might. It's a good release sometimes. Anyway, got a new letter for you from another friend! Here it is! Dear Twilight Sparkle today I learned that friends come in many different sizes, colours, personalities, etc. We are all different but those differences can be set aside if we care about each other and enjoy each others company. I have known this for a while, but I suddenly felt it take a huge effect this week at my high school. I have met so many new friends, We are all different yet we have made bonds more powerful then anything in this world. It happened when I was talking to two of my friends, one likes a certain thing that i like as well but the other doesn't. The difference seems small, but the in this world, the thing that we like could cause a lot of ridicule. Yet the 3 of us all hang out with each other. we even make fun of stuff we like just for fun. Its nice to know that a strong bond between 3 totally different ponies, can make them the closest. Just some food for thought or something. -A.J. Liked this one a lot, because its true. It doesn't matter your size, shape, colour, appendages, or species. We all have the ability to to get along, we just have to be open to it. As for those that call you out for your differences? Well, they don't matter, and chances are, they're just jealous. You know, I think I get as much out of these as you do Twilight. Have a great whatever length of time you've got til you see my next letter! ~^~Your Faithful Students, Filly Angel and A.J.~^~ Spike was smiling as he finished the letter, and he gave a look down at his slightly sore claw before a big grin creased his draconian visage. The letter writers were right, it didn't matter if he was different, as long as those he cared for cared for him in return. Just as he turned to enter the library Twilight opened the door to find him holding her open letter. Before she could voice her thoughts though, Spike smiled at her and proffered the letter. "Hey Twi, if you can, tell your student thank you for me, they taught me something just now." > I got my Cutie Mark! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight was going out on a limb, especially since she had no idea what the report would be on. Nevertheless Twilight had gathered the CMC, Spike, and the girls together for the opening of her next Friendship Report. "C'mon Twi, hurry up and open you eggheads unite letter!" Rainbow jibed, but Twilight ignored her as she slowly opened the letter and removed the contents within. With an almost reverent feel to it, the mare unfolded the letter and set an auditory spell that would read the spell off for them. ~^~^~Dear Twilight Sparkle,~^~^~ Fun fact. Where I come from, cutie marks don't exist. Nope, nothing that marks your one special talent. That's okay though. Just because we don't get marks on our butts doesn't mean we don't have talent. Hope the CMC hear that actually- "What, you mean ponies can be good at things without having it be their cutie mark?!" Scootaloo gasped. Twilight just smiled and nodded. "My talent is magic, but I'm a great librarian, Pinkie is a baker, Rarity is a fashionista, Applejack is good at farming, Fluttershy is an amazing medic, and Rainbow can't be topped when it comes to speed reading." -, but moving on, I recently had a realization. If I had a cutie mark, it would be a pony offering a helping hoof to another. Now I don't say I'm the best at helping ponies, but I find so much joy in it and I have done it so many time that at this point it is something I wouldn't mind pursuing for a career. Anyway, that's all I really wanted to say in this one, just that I got my cutie mark. Nothing else is really happening. ~^~^~Your Faithful Student, Filly Angel~^~^~ The girls all stared wide eyed. Sure everypony got their cutiemarks, but it was rare to explain its origin outside of friends and family yet here this student was, laying it all out. "My Twilight, your student must really trust you to tell you that without knowing you in pony." Rarity gawked as the others nodded. Twilight blushed slightly at the attention, but felt pride build up inside of her. Nothing could ruin the moment. "Hey girls, this means we don't have to have one talent! Cutie Mark Crusaders 'Learn all the talents'!" Scootaloo cheered. Except maybe that. > D's Lesson on Differences > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derpy was pulling herself out of a bush and gathering her spilled mail. As she did so a specific larger envelope had been torn open and spilled its contents. As the grey mare went to lift it, the paper unfolded and next thing the Derpy knew she was reading it intently. ~^~Dear Twilight Sparkle,~^~ Filly Angel yet again with a more touching lesson from a new friend of mine. Hello... my name is... D. This is the first time I am doing this. I am very nervous so please forgive any errors. I noticed you now receive friendship reports from ponies and I thought I would tell you a story that happened to me two years ago. Throughout my life... I was... slow. I had to take special classes all my life, even in high school. Ponies would make fun of me because of this. They would say things like, “Dear Celestia, is he really that stupid that he needs special classes,” and “He gets help in everything... what a loser.” It hurt, it hurt very much. My parents and I sat down with the special teachers to talk about my future. I liked to cook, I even took cooking classes to impress. At the meeting I told everypony I wanted to be a chef. They all looked sceptical and one of the stallion teachers said, “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid your too stupid to do that.” “Too stupid”... it hurt worse than what the other students said about me. What made it worse was on the carriage ride home, my parents argued about what was said. My mom was mad, but my step dad was agreeing with the teacher. Even my step dad thought I was stupid. I lost faith in myself and everything else in life. I didn’t have many friends to talk to and talking to my family was no good. In a way... I started to believe there was no such thing as friendship or family love. After graduation, ponies still talked bad about me. Very few of my teachers congratulated me and my family... well... let’s just say they didn’t sound so enthusiastic about my graduation. My sister graduated at 21 while I did it at the age of 18. For a time, there was nothing for me, not even a job. Then somepony from high school contacted me and told me of a college for “special ponies” like me. I told my mom and she was on board. It took half a year and they said if I passed the two week trial period, I would be able to get in. There were so many choice even cooking but they were full. Then I spotted a technology class were they were working on machines, the kind you work with. I told mom I wanted to do that and she agreed. The trial was hard and gruelling. It was harder than anything I had to do in life. But pushed through, thinking to myself, ‘I’ll show them, I’ll show that I can do something and I'm not “too stupid” for anything.’ The two week trial was over and I passed. I was so happy. I had to wait another four months before classes started again but that was okay. While my mom and I was out one day, she said, “You know, when you first wanted to do the technology class, I thought you were going to fail. I didn't believe you could do it.” Even my mom started to lose faith in me. Then she smiled and said, “But you proved me wrong and I'm proud of you for that. So when you go, don’t stop believing.” Then the time came to start college. I was so scared... I never really been on my own before. I picked up certain things at home like cooking for myself and doing laundry. But it was still scary, even the teacher was scary. He was big and had a very loud voice. There was another teacher there who was the same. In class, the students were different. But they were kind and help me through the two years I spent there. When I was down and even thought about quitting, my new friends and even the teachers pulled me out and helped me. This was the happiest time of my life. When graduation came, I was nervous. When my name was called, I went up got my certificate and an award for excellence in class. My teachers told me I graduated second in class. My friend who was older got first but to think that I could do this was outstanding. A year went by and it’s still hard to find work but with my new knowledge, I am ready. I learned through college that if I push through and being surrounded by other like me who want to help, anything is possible. I showed those ponies who said I was “too stupid”. Not everypony is bad and there are those who want to help. I just have to trust more. I wish I lived in Ponyville with you and your friends... maybe things would be different for me. A place of understanding and trust and friendship. I hate when I hear of friends that have to deal with that, but as long as we all stick together we can take down anything, from Nightmare moon to the school yard bully haha. ~^~Your New Faithful Student, D. And your ever Faithful Student Filly Angel~^~ Derpy blinked a few times in rapid succesion before reading the letter again. It said that just because she was different didn't mean that she couldn't reach out and try to get what she wanted! Nopony had ever shown her that before. Just then a brown coated stallion came up behind her. "Derpy, are you alright, I saw you fall!" The wall-eyed pegasus smiled uncertainly but nodded. "M'fine Doctor." The Doctor nodded with a smile. "Okay, I suppose I'll let you get on your way then." Turning, he made to leave when Derpy spoke up. "Doctor, would you possibly...I don't know, um, would you want to go out somewhere tonight?" "Like, dinner?" Derpy nodded hesitantly, but the Doctor's mouth broke into a wide smile. "I'd be delighted, shall I pick you up about six then?" Derpy just nodded again, not trusting her words. As soon as the Doctor walked out of sight she took off towards the Library. ~^~^~^~ Twilight checked her mail box, but still there was nothing. Turning to head back inside, she didn't even realize that Derpy was beelining straight at her until the grey mare tackle hugged her. "Thankyou,thankyou,thankyou,thankyou! Your students are totally the best!" And then she was gone. Getting up Twilight shook her head and then noticed a letter on the ground, opened, but addressed to her. Twilight read through the letter and finished just in time to see the Doctor trotting up to her. "Ah Twilight, just the mare I was looking for. I have a date tonight with an extraordinary mare and I would like to borrow a book on proper etiquette." Twilight thought to her note, then to Derpy, then to the Doctor. A smile began to split her face as she put two and two together. "Of course Doctor, I hope you and Derpy have a wonderful evening!"