Family Appreciation Day

Pony's Log Number 212: Many young ponies underestimate just how much value the elderly generations have contributed to today's society...

In the early morning hours at Sweet Apple Acres, the sudden howl of a timberwolf was heard in the twilight sky. Applejack was fast asleep in her bed when she was awoken with a start by the sound of somepony banging some pots and pans together. Apple Bloom was also woken up by the clanging as she walked over to Applejack's room wearing a large powder blue sleeping cap on her head as she rubbed the sleepiness from her eyes. Applejack and Apple Bloom looked outside of the window to see Granny Smith running about with the pans along her sides like a saddle bag.

"The timberwolves are a-howlin'! The timberwolves are a-howlin'!" Granny Smith called out.

"Eeyup," said Big Mac as he peeked out of his bedroom window. It was then they all heard another howl from a nearby lone wolf.

"The zap apples are comin'! The zap apples are comin'!" Granny Smith shouted. Applejack and Apple Bloom just looked at each other before they and Big Mac gave a loud cheer.

"Yay, the zap apples are comin'!" The three apple siblings shouted excitedly.

"That's what I said," Granny Smith remarked as a matter of fact as she used her fore-hooves to continue banging the pans. They others just exchanged smiles with each other.

(Main theme)

It was a little later that they were eating breakfast when there was a knock on the side door to their barn. Applejack opened it to find a familiar colt standing nearby.

"Mornin' Mario," said Applejack, "what brings you here?"

"Well, I was doing my studies last night and I remembered that this is the time of year the timberwolves start howling," Mario explained, "And I remembered Granny Smith talking about how it signals the coming of the zap apples. I wanted to see if you ponies would like another hand at the harvest? I wanna learn more about the zap apples too!"

"The harvest wouldn't be a problem, sugarcube," Applejack replied, "but Granny Smith doesn't like just anypony..."

"Why, if it isn't Mario!" Granny Smith interrupted as she rushed beside Applejack, knocking her aside, "Are you here to help this ol' mare with the zap apples?"

"If you don't mind, Granny Smith..."

"Fiddlesticks!" said Granny as she pulled Mario inside the house, "You're always welcome here, sonny. We need another big, strong stallion to help us out."

"Don't forget handsome," Apple Bloom added with a smile.

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack scolded.

"What?" Apple Bloom asked curiously.

"Ease off, Applejack," said Mario, "Apple Bloom knows I'm dating Twilight and that were just friends. You can't stop a filly from liking a boy you know."

"She's way too young!" Applejack protested.

"Crushes can happen at any time," said Mario, "I was her age when I fell in love with Twilight. At least it's a pony you can trust and not some random colt who could hurt her." Applejack just groaned.

"Applejack, please don't make this big deal," said Mario, "I already had to deal with Rarity being overprotective with Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom is my best friend too and I love her the same way I love you." Applejack just sighed but gave him a reassuring smile before inviting him to the breakfast table. It wasn't much longer before everypony minus Granny Smith was out in the fields getting the zap apple orchard ready for the big harvest.

"Hey, silly goose!" Granny Smith shouted from the window of her bedroom at the others and shook a fore-hoof at them, "Quit your gawkin' and move your caboose."

"Eeyup," Big Mac replied as he pulled a cart loaded with baskets and Applejack grunted as she placed each bucket next to one of the zap apple trees. Mario was working hard pushing some heavy freight cars loaded with more buckets and watering cans.

"Come on! come on!" Mario grunted to the freight cars as he pushed them towards the fields while using his magic to set up buckets around the trees as he walked by. Apple Bloom was just watching the other ponies hard at work from a window in the living room.

"Ready, Granny!" said Apple Bloom excitedly as the elder pony was just sitting comfortably in her favorite rocking chair.

"Ready for what?" Granny Smith asked with a clueless look on her face.

"For makin' zap apple jam!" Apple Bloom replied.

"Darn tootin'!" Granny Smith answered back, "It's time for some good old-fashioned zap apple jammin'!"

"Yes, ma'am," said Apple Bloom, giving the elderly pony a salute with her fore-hoof, "I can't wait, ma'am!" Granny Smith just rocked in her chair for a moment, looking like she had zoned out.

"Wait for what?" she asked after a long pause.

"To make zap apple jam with you!" Apple Bloom reminded her.

"O'course," said Granny Smith as she got off her chair and headed towards the kitchen, "Now I been doing this ever since I was a little pony, so be warned, prickle pear. There's a whole mess o' steps in the process and you gots to get each one of them just right, or no zap apple jam." She grabbed a plate from the pantry and then gave little Apple Bloom a dramatic look as she explained how important the process needed to be done correctly.

"Take this," Granny Smith instructed as she gave Apple Bloom a twig like items with several branches on it.

"Uh, is this one of your gazillion secret herbal ingredients for the zap apple jam?" Apple Bloom asked excitedly.

"That there's a broom," Granny Smith answered, "Now get sweepin', pipesqueak. Now while you sweep, I'll get to uh...something there...umm...Oh, ponyfeathers. Bet I'd forget my mane if it wasn't attached to my head." Granny Smith just walked out of the kitchen as Apple Bloom just swept the floor.

Back outside, Applejack was busy setting up the rest of the buckets she had. Mario had already finished his collection and was helping her out. Suddenly, there was a strong gust of wind.

"What's happening?" Mario asked with worry. Applejack didn't answer as she looked at Big Mac, who just sniffed the air twice as the sky darkened above the trees. Mario gasped as he saw electricity crackling around the currently bare trees.

"Electricity...this usually means...lightning!" Mario gasped fearfully as backed away a bit when Applejack wrapped a fore-hoof around him.

"You'll be alright, sugarcube," Applejack assured him, "Just watch." Mario smiled, but didn't hide the fact that he afraid as he nervously watched the trees become electrified. This caused the trees to instantly produce leaves on their bare branches.

"Whoa..." Mario replied in amazement.

"There's the zap apple leaves, right on schedule," said Applejack as she, Big Mac, and Mario exchanged smiles with each other.

Later on, Filthy Rich and his daughter Diamond Tiara had arrived at the farm. As they walked about, they found Granny Smith and Apple Bloom near some watering cans.

"A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L-M-N-O-P..." Granny Smith sang as she and Apple Bloom hoped over some watering cans wearing bunny costumes. Diamond Tiara wasted no time pointing and laughing at them. This made both bunny suit wearing ponies stop hopping about.

"Well, howdy-doo there, Filthy Rich," said Granny Smith.

"Hello, Mrs. Smith," the wealthy pony answered, "Did I hear right that there's a zap apple harvest coming in a few days?"

"Four days, to be exact," Granny Smith corrected as her bunny ears wiggled up and down.

"Excellent news, and as usual, I get your first hundred jars?" Filthy Rich asked.

"'Course, Filthy," Granny Smith answered.

"Uh, I prefer Rich," he replied. Friend of family/business partner or not, he didn't like being addressed by his first name for obvious reasons.

"Oh, and how is your pappy doin'?" Granny asked next as she and Filthy Rich went to discuss some business. This left the two fillies alone and Diamond had already been looking at Apple Bloom deviously.

"Oh, you poor, poor thing," said Diamond Tiara in a tone that was anything but sympathetic, "having to make all that zap apple jam with Granny Smith." Apple Bloom's ears drooped a bit as Diamond Tiara made a face.

"Actually," said Apple Bloom, perking right back up, "I have been looking forward to making zap apple jam for years!"

"I'm not talking about the jam," Diamond Tiara retorted, "I'm talking about Granny Smith. You must be sooo embarassed." She pointed towards Granny Smith, who had put on a black pot on her head.

"Soup's on!" Granny Smith muffled as Filthy Rich just smiled.

"Uh, what do ya mean?" Apple Bloom asked confused.

"You know, with all her silly ways, how she forgets things, and makes you wear these ridiculous costumes?" Diamond Tiara pointed out as she pulled the front of Apple Bloom's costume before snubbing her.

"Granny said that the water needs-" Apple Bloom tried to explain, but even her tone was starting to sound rather uneasy.

"Thank goodness you're here on the farm and not in town where everypony can see you," said Diamond Tiara as Apple Bloom got a fearful look on her face. Diamond Tiara knew that if there was one thing Apple Bloom feared more than anything, it was being publically humiliated.

"Don't worry," Diamond Tiara whispered in a hush tone, "Your secret is safe with me." Diamond Tiara then tried to zip away as Apple Bloom looked rather uneasy.

"OOMPH!"

Diamond Tiara's attempted to run off was stopped when she ran right into Mario. He had heard everything.

"I hope you're not giving Apple Bloom a hard time again," Mario said sternly.

"What's it to you?" Diamond Tiara spat out, "You can't do nothing about it." Mario leaned his face towards her own, making the little filly rather uneasy.

"If you hurt my girl, any of my three girls," Mario warned under his breath in a defensive tone, "I've got permission from your father to deal with you." Apple Bloom blushed and looked away shyly as Diamond Tiara snorted and stomped away. Mario then walked up to Apple Bloom.

"Don't let what Diamond Tiara said get to you," Mario told her as he gave her a quick hug, "Granny Smith's ways may look silly to others, but she knows what she's doing." Apple Bloom said nothing as Mario walked off to continue helping Applejack and Big Mac.

""Silly ways"?" Apple Bloom asked to herself as Filthy Rich picked up a wooden spoon and banged it against the black pot on Granny Smith's head.

BONG!

"Uh, thank you kindly, Filthy!" Granny Smith replied shakily as she wobbled backwards from the wealthy colt. Apple Bloom began to feel rather worried. Apparently, Diamond Tiara's words had gotten to her.

Later that day, Apple Bloom and Granny Smith were heading in the market area. Apple Bloom had a blue bonnet on her head instead of her traditional pink bow while Granny Smith had tucked on a purple and orange polka-dotted hat. It hadn't taken them long to load their saddle bags with various ingredients they needed for the jam as well as other necessities.

"Shake a leg there, slowpoke!" Granny Smith told Apple Bloom, "We got a gaggle's worth of goods to gather before the harvest. Come on!" Granny began to sing to the tune "Skip to My Lou" as Apple Bloom just looked about nervously. She suddenly didn't feel as comfortable being out in public with the elderly pony, especially when she began to sing and dance so loudly that other ponies were look at the both of them.

"Gonna make zap apple jam, hoop-dee-hoo!" Granny Smith sang, "Gatherin' my goodies now, hoop-dee-hee! Singin' and dancin', diddley-hoo, flippity-floo, my darlin'!" That last note was clearly off key. Apple Bloom just lowered her head to avoid being seen. It was then Granny Smith approached a large collection of metal pots. Daisy, the pony selling the pots, perked up and smiled at the sight of a customer.

"They don't make 'em like they used to," Granny Smith mumbled to herself as Apple Bloom caught up to her. It was then...

CHOMP!

Apple Bloom flinched black and cringed as Granny Smith was literally biting a metal pot with her teeth.

"Hey! You bite it, you buy it!" Daisy retorted sternly, but Granny Smith just walked away, not hearing a word the pony said and leaving her dentures still clamping down on the pot. Daisy then glared at Apple Bloom, who was forced to collected the dentures with her mouth.

Yuck!

Apple Bloom tried not to think about what was in her mouth and went searching for the elderly pony. Once she found Granny Smith, she spat out the dentures from her mouth and gasped. She saw the elderly pony with bees covering her chin. It made her seem like she had grown a long beard.

"Whoo! Why, hello, Bea, Beatrice, Beecher," Granny replied to them in a muffled voice as Apple Bloom looked at her with her jaw hanging out, "Ooh, you've all been busy little bees haven't you?" The bees just buzzed in reply as Granny picked up a beehive and poured some honey into it.

"Granny, isn't there a less...silly way to get the honey?" Apple Bloom asked. Then she noticed something in the corner of her eyes and gasped. There in the market area were Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The two ponies she didn't want to see. Apple Bloom wasted no time ducking behind a beehive and trembled nervously to avoid being seen.

"Oh, isn't this just precious?" Granny Smith remarked as she scooped Apple Bloom into her forearms. It didn't help that she was talking so loudly that other ponies were looking at them again.

"Please stop!" Apple Bloom pleaded as she felt more and more embarassed.

"And it is perfect for makin' our zap apple jam!" Granny Smith continued.

"Shh! Stop it! Granny!" Apple Bloom pleaded again, but she was too late. The two wealthy fillies had already taken notice and were laughing to their hearts content.

"Granny, please!" said Apple Bloom once more, "Those ponies over there are watchin' me!" If there was ever an opportunity for Apple Bloom to tell Granny Smith about her bullying troubles, this was it. Sadly, the elderly pony completely missed the hint.

"What? Are those fillies your friends?" Granny Smith asked and then, to make matters worse, "Hello, half-pints friends!"

"Hiii, Granny Smith!" Silver Spoon waved in a tone that was far too cheerful and added in a mockingly, "Hiii, Half-pint!" Apple Bloom just slumped to the ground and hid her face inside of her bonnet as the two wealthy ponies continued to laugh as they walked away.

"Remind myself that I gotta ask Mario for one of them emergency warp pipes for situations like this," she muttered under her bonnet.

"What dolls," said Granny Smith, "Why, when I was little, ponies didn't come that purdy."

"Are we done shopping, Granny?" Apple Bloom asked before she started pushing the elder pony forward, "'Cause I'd like to get back to the farm, fast."

"All done, smellybelly," Granny Smith replied before she started prancing and singing, "I got my honey, gooey-goo! Got my money, gooey-ooh! Got my money, iddley-hoo!" Once again, Granny's antics were drawing attention and Apple Bloom just pulled her bonnet over her face and followed behind the elderly pony.

The next day at the Ponyville Schoolhouse, it was the start of Family Appreciation Day. This meant that each student was to bring a member of their family to speak to the class. Today was the day Diamond Tiara got to bring her father Filthy Rich, to give a presentation. While she sat attentively with a happy smile on her face, the rest of the class was either bored or fast asleep. Even Silver Spoon was literally drooling as she snoozed at her own desk. One particular pony behind Diamond Tiara was even snacking on a cookie. Filthy Rich was apparently explaining how he got wealthy and using financial terms that nopony but Cheerilee and possibly Diamond Tiara understood. He also had a graph as a visual aid as Cheerilee stood beside him.

"And, by capturing the whole sale marketing, purchasing in bulk and slashing all prices," Filthy Rich explained, "we undermine every gift market in town, and that's how Rich's Barnyard Bargains became the cornerstone of retail in Ponyville." The instant he finished, Diamond Tiara clapped happily as everypony else that was either zoned out or snoozing woke up, some of them making funny faces as they recomposed themselves.

"Well, thank you, Mr. Filthy-" Cheerilee then noticed the wealthy pony gave her a dirty look and she quickly recomposed herself, "I mean, Mr. Rich. What a wonderful day of sharing! And thank you for being part of Family Appreciation Day!" Filthy Rich smiled before taking his leave.

"Now, uh, let's see who will be bringing a family member for next Monday's Family Appreciation Day," said Cheerilee as she picked up a clipboard and scanned her list of young ponies that had done their turn and found a specific little filly hadn't gone yet, "Um...Oh! Apple Bloom!" Apple Bloom gasped, making her drop the pencil she was holding in her mouth.

"But Miss Cheerilee," said Apple Bloom, "Monday is zap apple harvest day, and Applejack and Big Macintosh will be too busy to come and speak."

"Well, is there anypony else in your family that could-"

"Miss Cheerilee," Diamond Tiara cutting Cheerilee off as she got in front of Apple Bloom, who was leaning forward on her desk and shaking her head frantically, "Apple Bloom's Granny Smith isn't working the harvest. She could come." Apple Bloom cringed.

"Oh! But, uh, no, that wouldn't-" Apple Bloom tried to explain.

"That's a splendid idea, Diamond Tiara," said Cheerilee, "Apple Bloom, you shall bring Granny Smith on Monday." Diamond Tiara smirked to herself while Apple had a face that was filed with dread. It was then the school bell rang.

"Have a great weekend, everypony!" Cheerilee said as she left the schoolhouse first and the rest of her students followed out right after her. Everypony except for Apple Bloom, who was still coming to realization of what had happened.

"Granny Smith?" said Apple Bloom as she slapped a fore-hoof to her forehead, "Come Monday, I'll be the laughin' stock of Ponyville." All Apple Bloom could do was face plant her desk until Cheerilee finally ushered the yellow filly to leave.

Apple Boom made her way directly towards Applejack, who was helping Big Mac and Mario water the zap apple trees. She trying to plead for her or Big Mac to come instead of Granny Smith, but her pleas were futile.

"I'm sorry, Apple Bloom," said Applejack, "I already told you that we just can't take a break from harvest to come to your school. You know what'll happen."

"I know...After the fifth day, the zap apples disappear," said Apple Bloom sadly. It was then the strong winds returned to the orchard. The dark clouds also made their return as a huge flock of crows appeared as well. Applejack, Apple Bloom, Big Mac, and Mario watched the scene in awe as Granny Smith zipped up to them.

"Look! The third sign!" said Granny Smith, "Right on time! Hot diggity!" The crows started to fly in a circle above as the trees were electrified once more. Mario scooted a bit closer to Applejack as the trees were then covered with apple flower blossoms. Once the trees were all covered in flowers, the sky cleared instantly.

"Wow!" said everypony minus Granny Smith.

"Alright, you lazy daisies," Granny Smith ordered, "move you caboose!" Big Max went back to work as Applejack and Mario faced the still disappointed Apple Bloom.

"I'm sorry, Apple Bloom," said Applejack, "but don't you fret. Granny Smith's got no shortage of entertainin' stories to tell."

"I know," said Apple Bloom wearily, "That's what I'm worried about."

"Is what Diamond Tiara told you still bothering you?" Mario asked. Apple Bloom just sighed.

"She and Silver Spoon were at the market and Granny openly embarassed me," said Apple Bloom, "and Diamond Tiara was the one who suggested Granny Smith come on Monday."

"Hoo boy," said Mario, "That's parents and grandparents for you. But I can see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are going out of their way to humiliate you."

"Ya think?" Apple Bloom remarked, "Tellin' Granny won't help. Last time, she didn't even hear a word I said."

"I've noticed she does that," said Mario, "Well, the best thing you can do is...roll with it."

"Roll with it?" Apple Bloom asked curiously.

"Yeah, let those two think they've got the upper hand," said Mario, "In the little time I've spent with Granny Smith, there is one thing that she's very good at. Being unpredictable. And I mean that in they she can amaze you when you least expect it. So don't you worry about Monday. Everything will be alright." Mario then gave Apple Bloom a hug and kissed the side of her head.

"Now try to find something to do to relax," said Mario, "I gotta get back to work, okay." Apple Bloom just nodded meekly as Mario headed back to help Applejack. However, not even Mario's words helped the yellow filly feel better. At the Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse, Apple Bloom wa pacing back and forth across the floor as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo watched her.

"I'll be embarassed," Apple Bloom groaned aloud, "shamed, disgraced, mortified, humiliate-" The yellow filly was cut off when Sweetie Belle shoved a fore-hoof into her mouth.

"What are you, a dictionary?" Scootaloo asked annoyed.

"Snap out of it," Sweetie Belle added firmly as she removed her fore-hoof from Apple Bloom's mouth, "We're here to help you!"

"After all, we are the Cutie Mark Crusaders," said Scootaloo, "We'll figure out a way to postpone your presentation."

"But how?" Apple Bloom groaned as she sat down, "All this worry is makin' me sick!" Apple Bloom clutched her stomach to prove her point.

"Sick?" said Sweetie Belle.

"That's it!" said Scootaloo as she jumped into the air and a hanging lamp above her head lit up to emphasize that she had an idea, "C'mon!" Before Apple Bloom could reply, the two fillies pulled her out of the clubhouse.

Inside the Apple Barn, several glass jars had been set up in a line as Granny Smith peaked her head over them wearing an army hat on her head.

"Ten-hut!" Granny Smith said like a drill sergeant, "Now listen here, troops! I don't want any whinin' or cryin' or crackin' under pressure! Do I make myself clear!?" Granny Smith then whacked one of the jars. The jar responded by presenting a long crack on its side.

"Court-martialed!" Granny Smith shouted as she threw the cracked jar aside. The jar hit the back of a wall and fell straight into a trash can.

Upstairs, Apple Bloom found herself tossed into her bed as Scootaloo pulled the blanket on her and then used her fore-hoof to ruffle Apple Bloom's red mane. Sweetie Bell then appeared holding some green grapes to create a makeshift green paint and started to paint her cheeks.

"Stay still, Apple Bloom!" said Scootaloo, "You have to look sick!" Scootaloo then began to boil water in a kettle and stuck a thermometer inside of it. Once it was hot enough, Scootaloo stuck the thermometer right into Apple Bloom's mouth.

"Aaah!" Apple Bloom shouted in a muffled voice with the thermometer in her mouth, "Hey, this is hot!"

"What in the hayseed is going on in there, silly billy?" said Granny Smith just as Sweetie Belle finished painting Apple Bloom's face green.

"Oh, Granny Smith!" said Scootaloo, "we were just about to come get you!"

"Apple Bloom's sick!" said Sweetie Belle, "Looks like she might have to stay home all week!" Granny Smith quickly looked at the thermometer as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo fought not to giggle. Granny Smith then placed a fore-hoof on her forehead as she mumbled to herself.

"Ooh! Perfect as a Piccadilly pear!" Granny Smith said quickly before leaving the room in a blur. The elder pony was not fazed by any of the fillies efforts to make Apple Bloom look sick.

"Now what?" Apple Bloom groaned. Back at the clubhouse, the three fillies were still trying to come up with a plan.

"It's already almost sundown!" Apple Bloom told them, "Tomorrow is Sunday, and I only have one more day to figure something out!" Apple Bloom couldn't resist getting into Scootaloo's face she was on the verge of panicking, but soon backed away from the orange Pegasus.

"Hey! Look!" shouted Sweetie Belle as she poked her head from above. Their club house had a ladder that led to a second floor where a telescope had been set up. Sweetie Belle had been looking through it when she saw something interesting happening in the distance. Apple Bloom headed up to see what the fuss was all about. She noticed some shooting stars above the zap apple trees.

"That's the fourth sign!" said Apple Bloom excitedly as Scootaloo bumped her out of the way. Scootaloo peeked into the telescope to see the trees become electrified once more as the flowers turn into apples. Grey apples to be precise. Apple Bloom quickly jumped in front of Scootaloo to look again.

"The zap apples have appeared!" Apple Bloom told them.

"And that give me an idea," said Sweetie Belle with a smile on her face. They wasted no time using a bush to move their way into the zap apple orchard as Big Mac, Applejack, and Mario were busy pulling wagons and freight cars loaded with watering cans in the background. The three fillies then moved their bush to a nearby tree before poking their heads out of it.

"We can't move Family Appreciation Day," Sweetie Belle told the other two, "so let's move Harvest Day instead." Apple Bloom looked at the still grey apples.

"They don't look...quite ripe," Apple Bloom remarked.

"Harvesting apples early never hurt an apple," Scootaloo remarked.

"I don't know..." said Apple Bloom unsurely, "Zap apple trees aren't like normal apple trees. They're magic." Some electricity crackled around the tree to emphasize her point.

"How different can they be?" Sweetie Belle retorted snootily before she gave the tree a firm buck with her hind legs. Some electricity travelled up the tree trunk and then back down at Sweetie Belle, shocking her and sending her flying away, which afterward she landed with a THUD.

"Well, if we can't buck 'em, let's just pick 'em," said Apple Bloom as Scootaloo smiled to avoid laughing at Sweetie Belle. Once Sweetie Belle had recovered, Apple Bloom jumped up to snag an apple, Scootaloo then grabbed her tail to help her pull the apple off the branch, then Sweetie Belle did the same with Scootaloo's tail as she backed up, but the apple refused to break off its branch. In fact, all they had done was make the tree tilt towards them, creating plenty of tension on the branches and tree truck. All Sweetie Belle had to do was lose her footing for one second when...

FLING!

...like a sling shot, the three fillies were sent flying all the way into a pool of mud in the pig's pen. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle poked out of the mud as Scootaloo gasped for air since she had gotten stuck for a moment under the mud.

"Any other bright ideas?" Apple Bloom asked sarcastically and covered in mud. Neither of the two fillies had an answer.

The next morning, Cheerilee made her way up to the barn and knocked on the side door that lead to the kitchen.

"Granny Smith," Cheerilee called out, "it's Miss Cheerilee! Apple Bloom said you wanted to speak to me?" Cheerilee became uneasy since after a few seconds there wasn't any answer.

"...Hello?" Cheerilee called out from a nearby window, "Granny Smi-" Cheerilee then gasped as she saw Granny Smith sitting in a rocking chair wearing some red glasses. It is debatable if she noticed two pairs of strings that were tied to fore-hooves.

"Well, hello there! Howdydoo!" said somepony in the background trying to sound like Granny Smith and one of the strings made Granny Smith wave hello.

"Hi...uh...Granny Smith..." said Cheerilee with a weary tone, "Is, ugh, everything okay?"

"Of course it is!" Granny Smith supposedly replied, "Why wouldn't it be?" Granny Smith's head then slumped forward a bit and gave a loud snort. As her head turned, the glasses fall of her face, showing that the eyes had been painted on them and she was actually asleep. It is also revealed that Apple Bloom was the one mimicking Granny Smith's voice as she quickly put the glasses back on the elder pony's face to avoid being noticed.

"Oh, er, excuse me," Apple Bloom remarked as she continued the charade. It was then revealed that Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were the one's controlling Granny Smith's fore-hooves, "Uh, pickles always give me the hiccups! I need to tell you that I can't make the presentation on Monday after all!"

"Oh no, is that so?" said Cheerilee in disappointment.

"No doubts about it!" said Apple Bloom, still mimicking Granny Smith, "I gotta sheer the flowers and water the sheep! I mean, I have to water the flowers and shear the sheep!" Scootaloo couldn't help but roll her eyes at that remark.

"Oh, well, that's too bad," said Cheerilee, "We can reschedule." Cheerilee then made her leave. Scootaloo then got so excited that she pulled on her rope too hard, causing Granny Smith to conk her head on the roof of the room.

"E-whut- hai- where am I?" Granny Smith mumbled as her fore-hooves were still dangling by the ropes. Despite the ropes, Granny Smith managed to open the door just as Cheerilee was turning to leave.

"Well howdy Miss Cheerilee," said Granny Smith as leaned out of the top half of the door despite the fact that her fore-hooves were still in the air, "You window shopping?"

"Uh...no?" said Cheerilee puzzled, especially since Granny Smith was still being held in the air and hadn't taken notice, "You asked me to come here to tell me that you wouldn't be making it to Family Appreciation Day?"

"Fiddlesticks!" Granny Smith retorted, "I wouldn't miss it for all the tea in Canterlot!"

"But didn't you just say...?" Cheerilee asked, still feeling more confused than ever, especially as Granny Smith was lifted into the air.

"See you Monday!" Granny Smith called out, completely unphased or unaware of the fact she was being lifted into the air. Cheerilee just shook her head and walked away. It wasn't much longer before Granny Smith was busy painting the kitchen in pink polka dots as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle peeked inside to watch her. They then returned to Apple Bloom, who was now laying on the floor with her face buried in her fore-hooves.

"I can't believe she woke up from her nap. She never wakes up from her nap!" Apple Bloom sighed with her voice muffled voice, "I wish I could just run off and hide!" Apple Bloom looked at them with a devastated look and then faceplanted her face into the floor again.

"Well, you can't run off..." said Sweetie Belle as a devious smile appeared on her face, "But maybe somepony else can!"

Next morning, the storm had returned once more and now there was lightning in the sky. Applejack and Granny Smith walked just outside the zap apple orchard to watch. Mario was there as well, despite the fact he was trembling fearfully at the sight of the lightning. The winds began to pick up and Applejack and Mario had to hold onto their hats to keep them from blowing away. Fortunately, the storm came to an end as the trees were electrified once more and a rainbow appeared in the sky. A single grey apple gained several stripes of each color of the rainbow. Then as if the apple were a glass prism, it began to send a rainbow beam from one apple to the next, giving all the zap apples their famous rainbow coloring.

"Yee-haw!" said Granny Smith excitedly.

"The zap apple harvest has begun!" said Applejack when she suddenly flinched as Granny Smith jumped high into the air and landed near her with a thud.

"And tomorrow we will be makin' up some zap apple jam," Granny Smith replied as got up completely unharmed. Mario was still rather impressed.

"I had no idea you could jump that high, Granny Smith," Mario remarked.

"I could do a good ten feet back in my youngin days," Granny Smith replied.

"Wow...I thought I was the only pony who could do that," said Mario as he showed her a good ten foot leap into the air without spinning.

"Interesting," said Granny Smith, "You always did remind me of...uh...someone...now who...dangnabbit...this memory of mine..."

"It's okay, Granny Smith," Mario replied, "I'm just honored to meet a fellow high jumper." Granny Smith smiled.

"Oh, it's no biggie sonny," said Granny Smith, "and I'm mighty proud of you too."

"Why?" Mario asked puzzled.

"It's one thing to be afraid of lightning," said Granny Smith, "But it's another when you still face it despite being afraid. Shows you've got some courage and character." Mario blinked before smiling.

"Thank you, Granny Smith," he answered.

"Oh, just call me Granny, Mario," the elderly mare replied as she walked away, "You've always been like a grandson ta me." Mario felt his eyes water as a smile appeared on his face. He never had a grandmother before and Applejack always was like a sister to him. As Mario headed into the orchard to get to work, Granny Smith bumped into a small pony wearing a mail pony attire. One could guess who it was by the orange fur and magenta mane.

"Miss Granny Smith?" said Scootaloo in a deeper voice, "Telegram!" Granny Smith grabbed the paper as the little filly zoomed away.

"Well, bust my buttons," said Granny Smith, "Uncle Apple Strudel wants me to pay him a visit." Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle snickered behind the barn.

"And you can just make the 8am train," said Apple Bloom as she tossed a saddle bag on the elder pony's back, "I already packed you a bag!"

"Well that was considerate," said Granny Smith as Apple Bloom then gave her a hard slap on the flank, making the elder pony jump forward a bit.

"But don't you worry, flibbertigibbet!" Granny told Apple Bloom, "I'll be back in time to make that jam!" Apple Bloom watched Granny Smith disappear before breathing a sigh of relief.

"That train ride takes all day," said Apple Bloom, "I'm safe. Hah." Apple Bloom then headed to school, feeling her mind was at peace.

"For today's Family Appreciation Day," Cheerilee announced to the class, "we are pleased to welcome Granny Smith." Cheerilee then noticed that the elderly mare was nowhere to be found.

"Um...Apple Bloom? Is Granny Smith here?" Cheerilee asked. Apple Bloom just had a smug smile on her face with her fore-hooves behind her head. Even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were giving her curious and suspicious looks.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Cheerilee," said Apple Bloom as sincerely as she could, "but she got called out of town on account of a family emergency-"

"Well, howdy, my little ponies!" said a familiar voice that made Apple Bloom's heart drop to her hind legs. She didn't noticed Diamond Tiara smirking deviously behind her.

"Howdy, y'all!" Granny Smith repeated, "I'm as happy as a pig in a fresh mudpile to be here!"

"Whuh- what are you doing here?" Apple Bloom asked surprised as she walked up to the elderly pony, "Did you miss the train?"

"Er, no, it came," said Granny Smith, "And Uncle Apple Strudel was on it." There nearby was a pony with a Swedish style mustache, hat, and lederhosen.

"Ooooooh, noogie-noogie-noogie!" Apple Strudel laughed madly as he ruffled up Apple Bloom's mane.

"I can't wait to hear Granny Smith's presentation," said Diamond Tiara as Apple Bloom slowly walked by to her desk before added in a hushed tone, "If she can remember any of it." Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon laughed as Apple Bloom slumped into her desk, wishing she could disappear. Apple Strudel then offered Granny Smith a chair as the elderly mare took a seat, not even noticing that the offered seat was knocked away when she sat down.

"Long ago, when I was a little pony, things were very different in Ponyville," Granny Smith explained as she showed the young ponies a map, "'cause there was no Ponyville!" The other ponies listened with interest as Apple Bloom still had a dreaded look on her face. As the title of Ponyville on the map suddenly disappeared, the view changed to resemble that of a silent picture film from the early 1910s and 1920s. There in view was a pony family pulling a stage coach.

"That's right, my little ponies," Granny Smith narrated, "Me and my family were pilgrim pony folk, back when I was a little filly." Inside the back end of the stagecoach was a young Granny Smith, wearing her trademark handkerchief around her back, but also wearing a bonnet with both her mane and tail in braids.

"Oh we ventured far and wide," Granny Smith continued, "collecting new seeds and sellin' the old. But my pa was the finest seed collector in all of Equestria." Young Granny Smith was seen collecting samples of seeds from nearby plants and flowers whenever her family set up their camp for the night.

"Then one day, the Smith family found themselves in the most brilliant, most grand, and most magnificent of all cities," said Granny Smith, "A place called...Canterlot." Her family enters the royal city as they see an open market area and various ponies in upper class attires from the close of the 19th century.

"I bet your hooves to hindquarters I had never seen anything like it before nor since," said Granny Smith as her younger self marveled at sights, "And as if the beauty of that city wasn't enough, suddenly, she appeared." Her younger self noticed a group of ponies gathered around Princess Celestia and then the royal chariot came to stop before her family.

"When lo and behold, she stopped to look at my pa's seed collection," Granny Smith continued as her father presented Princess Celestia a bag of seeds, "Then Princess Celestia saw that we were plumb-tuckered and hankerin' to find our forever home. And bein' a royal princess and all, she knew exactly the place for us to lay down our stakes. My pa gave the Princess a mighty thanks." Princess Celestia takes them to the top of one of the towers and shows them the land of what would eventually become Sweet Apple Acres. The mighty thanks her father had given was a long kiss on Celestia's fore-hoof, which made her mother very jealous.

"We quickly found that land near the Everfree Forest, and we built our first home," said Granny Smith as her family arrived and built their first house, "Next, we planted our first orchards. But an orchard don't grow overnight, and we were getting mighty short on food." One of her family members is seen planting outside as the rest of the family gets ready to eat, but all young Granny Smith was given was three beans due to their low food supplies. Her entire family is concerned that they might starve before their crops could grow.

"Now mind you," Granny Smith continued, "we were cautioned about the forest, and we knew that it was not fit to enter." The howl of a timberwolf was heard in the distance as the lights to the family house turned off as young Granny Smith left the house and headed into the forest.

"But I knew there was critters livin' there," said Granny Smith, "There must be something to eat. It was dark and musty, and I won't lie, it was scary. But every inch was covered in plant life, and before I knew it, wasn't I standin' in front of the most incredible apple trees! I had never seen anything that bore this kind of colorful fruit! Oh I started picking apples quick as a whip!" Young Granny Smith then ventured into the forest and began to look around at the plantlife when she discovered the zap apple trees for the first time. As picked the first apple, kissed it, and then tucked it into her saddle bag. As she put more apples into her bag, something ran by in the foreground. She looked around before continuing to pick some more apples when the creature zoom by again.

"I turned, and there before me stood the timberwolves!" Granny Smith continued, "I've never run so fast in my life. I did the only thing I could think of." Young Granny Smith was startled when she heard something howl loudly. It was then she saw four timberwolves growling at her. She then ran off as fast as she could. One timberwolf nearly bit her tail as she rushed out of the forest and began to bang a black pot with a stick. The timberwolves cowered back and ducked back into the forest. Their eyes glared at her before they disappeared back into the forest. Her banging had also woken up her mother and father.

"My pa and I planted those special apple seeds," Granny Smith told them, "and before our eyes they grew like wildfire. Why, we had full grown trees faster than you can say "lickety split"." The very instant the zap apple seeds are planted and watered, the trees sprouted up instantly with a clash of thunder and young Granny Smith was caught in the branches. Her father just smiled and she laughed happily.

"Then each year, I paid close attention to the signs of the zap apples' special harvesting times," Granny Smith continued, "How the weather affects the Everfree Forest, how the timberwolves howl when the zap apples first started growing, and how they zapped away if you didn't pick them all in one day!" Young Granny Smith is seen walking around the zap apple orchard as their flowers appear, then she noticed the random weather patterns, and is seen quivering in her bed by the howls of the timberwolves. The family is seen picking the zap apples when they all disappeared from the trees in a flash.

"And the fruits of our labor were the best fruit we've ever tasted," said Granny Smith as several zap apple treats were on a wooden table and her younger self was standing near a black pot, stirring and tasting something, "Soon enough I was mixing up batches of zap apple jam. Just like harvestin' the zap apples had its special rules, so did makin' the zap apple jam. I learned that you gotta be extra friendly with the bees, otherwise their honey won't taste rightly as sweet to mix in with the zap apples. Who'd'a thought that glass jars needed talkin' to? Or that zap apples like pink polka dots? But magic is as magic does. Just funny that way." Young Granny Smith is showing knocking on a beehive and giving them flowers, then she was seen talking to the glass jars with a military hat on her head, and then is seen painting pink polka dots on the walls. After tasting the zap apple jam, she nodded to herself that the taste was just right. She then carried a case loaded with jars of zap apple jam in it to her parent's small zap apple jam stand.

"Then ponies started comin' to our farm from far and wide just to get a taste of my zap apple jam," said Granny Smith as a line of ponies gathered as the stand to purchase some jam, especially a particular farm like attired stallion. He had bought a large amount of jam jars at once, "Some of them decided to stay, like Stinkin' Rich, Diamond Tiara's great grandfather. In matter of fact, the first thing he ever sold was my zap apple jam." Stinkin' Rich's stand starts out as a tiny tent, followed by a small shop, and then a large general store, which Granny Smith's parents pay a visit to each renovation. It was when the large store is seen that train tracks are visible and the sound of a train whistle blowing is heard as it arrives at what is becoming a thriving town.

"And before we knew it, we had ourselves a nice little town," said Granny Smith as her younger self walked around, "bustling with all kinds of ponies..." At the scene returns to the map, the title of Ponyville reappears on the map, "...and that is how Ponyville was founded." All the young ponies were left in awe for a few seconds as Granny Smith smiled at them. Then a single pony began to applaud impressively. It was Silver Spoon of all ponies, leaving both Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom stunned. Soon the rest of the young ponies began to applaud as well.

"Oh, thank you kindly, little ponies," said Granny Smith, "Oh, now-now, settle down."

"So if it weren't for you and the zap apples, Ponyville wouldn't even exist?!" Scootaloo pointed out.

"Darn tootin', little filly!" Granny Smith answered.

"If it weren't for my Granny Smith," said Apple Bloom smugly to Diamond Tiara's face before leaning away, "your daddy wouldn't have Backyard Bargains." The others all agreed that this was true, even Silver Spoon was murmuring in agreement. Diamond Tiara looked rather uneasy.

"But-" she stuttered until she noticed Granny Smith cleaning the chalkboard by licking it with her tongue.

"But she's just a...kooky old lady!" Diamond retorted. Everypony gasped, including Cheerilee.

"She is not a kooky old lady!" Apple Bloom shot back, clearly offended, "She is the most amazing pony in all of Ponyville." Apple Bloom emphasized her point by giving Granny Smith a loving hug and cheek nuzzle.

Back at the barn, Apple Bloom and Granny Smith began to work together creating the zap apple jam. Granny Smith even gave Apple Bloom the honor of taste testing it before the yellow filly carried a box filled with jars of jam to the traditional zap apple stand. Already, hundreds of ponies were standing in line to buy some jam. Once Scootaloo had purchased her own jar, she had spread the jam on a slice of bread and began to eat it happily. Mario was also with the orange filly, along with Sweetie Belle, Twist, and a pony known by the name of Truffle Shuffle.

"I think this is the best zap apple jam I've tasted yet!" said Scootaloo.

"Mmm-mmm," Mario added in agreement, "This was my first time having zap apple jam and it is delicious!" For helping out, Applejack had given him six jars of jam. He was looking forward to see how it would taste in a peanut butter sandwich or on a morning piece of toast.

"Must be 'cause you had something to do with it, Apple Bloom," Sweetie Belle added just as Apple Bloom arrived. Apple Bloom just smiled humbly.

"You betcha," said Granny Smith as she walked up to the group, "Apple Bloom is one humdinger of a zap apple jammer!"

"I am?" Apple Bloom said surprised and then hugged Granny Smith.

"So I take it Family Appreciation Day went well?" Applejack asked as she approached her sister and the elderly mare.

"Did it?" Apple Bloom answered as the two pulled away, "My Granny Smith is super special. I just forgot that for a little while."

"Aw, don't fret," said Granny Smith, "I forget things all the time. Now, I'll getcha...er...something. Aw." While Granny Smith never did figure out what she was trying to remember, Apple Bloom just gave her a warm hug. Granny Smith may have a quirky way of doing things, but Apple Bloom loved her all the same.

"Who wants to help Granny sing to the water?" Applejack offered.

"We do, we do!" said the young ponies excitedly before they zipped away. It wasn't much longer before Granny Smith was back in her bunny suit and hopping about the watering cans.

"A, B, C, D, E, F, G..." Granny Smith sang as she hopped about with the other young ponies hopping behind her wearing bunny headbands on their heads. Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Mario watched them have their fun.

"Diamond Tiara?" said a stern voice as the said filly was then pushed before the three ponies. And she was wearing bunny ears on her head.

"But dad!" Diamond Tiara protested as Filthy Rich simply walked up to her and pushed her towards the rest of the group. Applejack noticed Mario smirking.

"Did you-"

"Surprisingly, I didn't," said Mario, "Diamond Tiara put her own hoof in her mouth by insulting Granny Smith in front of the whole class. Cheerilee made sure Filthy Rich knew about it. But all that hopping looks like fun! Glad I finished my newest magic treat." Mario pulled out an cookie that was shaped like a carrot. Once he ate it, bunny ears appeared on his head. Mario then used his hind legs to hop about like a bunny.

"See that, kids," said Granny Smith as she pointed a fore-hoof towards Mario, who was doing a good twelve feet in the air with each jump, "That there is how ya'll do the bunny hop!"

"Thanks Granny," said Mario, "I can also do this!" Mario then flapped his ears so he was now gliding in the air. The other young ponies oohed and awed, except for Diamond Tiara.

"Show-off," she muttered until both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo hoped off her head, making her faceplant the soil, coating her entire face in the wet brown earth.

"DADDY!" she whined, but Filthy Rich paid no attention.

Applejack and Apple Bloom just laughed.

Today had been a good day.

I apologize if all the jam talk made any of you hungry.

Peace Pony Fans!