My Little Pony: Lend a Hoof (Or a Hand)

Chapter 3

Applejack's Pride

For her final task of the day, Applejack met with Fluttershy in the forest to help round up baby bunnies for Fluttershy's bunny census. Fluttershy reminded Applejack that she needed to be gentle with the bunnies since they are so timid, but Applejack wanted to get this over with as fast as possible.

Applejack stomped her hoof in front of the bunnies and she said to them, "Okay, little bunnies! I need you to all gather here in the middle." Applejack began acting aggressively towards the bunnies, which scared them and they began running away. Applejack chased them and tried to round them up, she finally cornered them, her aggressive attitude scared the bunnies and they stampeded into town.

As they stampeded into town, the bunnies ate town plants and ruined ponies' gardens, which made Fluttershy's census impossible to finish. Neo and Twilight saw what was going on and they finally had it. Twilight said, "All right, that's it. Enough is enough."

Once again, Applejack was bucking more trees and trying to finish the harvest. Neo and Twilight showed up to confront her about the trouble she had been causing. Twilight said to her, "All right, Applejack. Your applebucking hasn't just caused you problems, it's over-propelled Pegasus', practically poisoned plenty of ponies, and terrorized bushels of brand new bouncing baby bunnies. I don't care what you say, you. Need. Help." Applejack finished bucking the tree and said that she had finally finished the harvest all by herself, but then Big Macintosh showed up and pointed out that Applejack had only harvested part of the apples. When Applejack saw that she had way more work ahead of her, she fainted from shock and exhaustion. Neo leaned down beside her and tried to get her to wake up.

A few minutes later, Applejack woke up and Neo asked her if she was alright. Applejack said she was fine, but just tired out from her hard work. Then Neo said to her. "Look Applejack, I completely respect the Apple family ways. You're always there to help anypony in need, but maybe you need to put a little of your stubborn pride aside and allow your friends to help you, and we're not taking no for an answer." Applejack gave up and said, "Alright, alright, I admit it, I could use your help. Neo and Twilight looked at each other and were glad that Applejack finally came to her senses.

And so Twilight, Neo and their friends helped Applejack for the rest of the day, gathering the apples for the harvest and it made the harvest more efficient. Neo even played music with his mind to make the harvest more pleasurable for him and his friends. When the friends took a break, Applejack came out with 7 bottles of apple juice for them to drink as they took their break.

As they drank their apple juice, Neo kept playing music and Applejack said to her friends, "I can't thank you enough for this help. I was acting a bit stubborn." Her friends gave her a weird look, then Applejack said, "Okay. A mite stubborn, and I'm awful sorry. Now, I know the town gave me the Prized Pony award, but the real award is having you girls and Neo as my friends." Touched by her words, the friends shared a group hug, and that was the end of Applejack's story.

Applebloom was impressed by the story and she said that she wants to be a hardworking pony just like Applejack. Applejack said she will be someday, but just remember to not overwork yourself, and always accept help from your friends if they offer to help you, because that's what friendship is all about.

End of chapter 3. The End.