MARIGOLD

Madam Mayor Marigold began her day in the usual way: she rose, stretched, bathed, ate a wholesome breakfast, dressed carefully and, as she stepped out her front door, prayed that she would up to the challenge of Ponyville.

Immediately after leaving her little cottage, she encountered Rainbow Dash, who shouted, “Incoming!”, tossed a few packets of red-banded mail in Marigold’s general direction, then zoomed away. Marigold collected the mail from the ground, tucked the packets under her clipboards and hurried on.

Marigold trotted through the Marketplace, surreptitiously drifting towards the Apple Family’s cart. She didn’t want to seem to favor one vendor over another, but the Apples always had the most delicious cider and those yummy warm fritters. And there was also Big Macintosh, who Marigold… admired.

But Marigold discovered that Big Macintosh was absent from the cart that day. Instead:

“An apple is my suggestion

If you are concerned about your digestion.

If you heed what I say

And eat one a day

Then you will be rewarded, in the end, no question.”

Marigold found herself looking into the sapphire eyes of Zecora the zebra. Who was wearing a straw hat, chewing on a sprig of wheat and smiling in that knowing way she had.

“Zecora!” Marigold said, dancing back, “I’m surprised and, of course, delighted to see you here, Ponyville’s dearest friend!”

Zecora grinned and tipped her straw hat.

“There was a zebra who wondered

And into a town she wandered

She worried then

Who would call her friend

And adores those ponies that responded,” said Zecora.

There was no judgement in Zecora’s eyes, only honesty.

Marigold looked down. “We failed you, Zecora,” said Marigold. “Ponyville failed you. And for that, we will always be profoundly sorry.”

Zecora laughed.

“What a joy, was Nightmare Night!

All the children took affright!

Oh, but then,

You called me ‘friend’

And my soul soared with delight.

“There was a zebra, all alone,

That wondered, could this place be my own?

She dug at the ground

And then she found

The water of love, and, at last, her home.”

Marigold smiled timidly at Zecora and discovered her loving sister looking back.

Awkwardly, Marigold clutched her clipboards and asked for a bottle of cider and a fritter. They exchanged bits without conversation. They knew each other in their hearts.

As Marigold trotted way, she heard Zecora calling:

“From trees, delicious apples start.

Red, green, sweet and tart.

I join you, today,

On this Shadow Day

So that you understand my heart.”

And Marigold wondered if Zecora wasn’t the best pony in Ponyville.

***

As she crossed Ponyville Plaza towards the Town Hall, Marigold suddenly dropped her clipboards and sprinted towards the fountain, seeing a child struggling in the water. Child! Precious child! she thought.

It was little Pumpkin Cake, happily splashing in the fountain. “M’yr!” the foal cooed, when Marigold collected the tiny filly.

“Oh, look at you, all wet!” Marigold said, hugging the child close to her; Marigold’s tie and collar were ruined, but Marigold didn’t think of it as she warmed the precious child. Mister Cake galloped up then, very cross at Pumpkin, but obviously very relieved and thankful for her rescue.

“Bye, M’yr!” Pumpkin waved over her father’s shoulder. Marigold waved back, then walked around the Plaza collecting her clipboards and fretting about her tie.

And that’s how the Mayor of Ponyville began Shadow Day.

***

“Let us begin,” she said, with a frisson of terror.

Madam Mayor Marigold of Ponyville looked around the conference table. Fletcher Veterinary, her secretary, dear Fletcher, was at her side, as always. Next to him sat Pinkie Pie, who appeared to be constructing a tiny house out of 3x5 cards and sticky notes.

And directly across from Marigold was Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Ponyville, who looked back earnestly and eagerly.

An errant thought flittered across her mind: You are the pony I hoped I would be. Marigold tossed her head and dismissed it.

Go! Go! Marigold! she encouraged herself, beneath the Princess’s gaze, as she brought her clipboards to the table.

“First of all, I would like to acknowledge the civic spirit of our volunteers. Princess Twilight, Pinkie Pie, you set examples for the entire community.”

“Hear, hear,” said Fletcher. Princess Twilight blushed. Pinkie Pie frowned as she built a patio for her house.

“Second,” continued Marigold. “I have considered our agenda for Shadow Day. It would be best, if you agree, your Highness,” she nodded towards Princess Twilight, “that my secretary, Mister Veterinary, use the morning to educate Miss Pie about the procedures of government. In the afternoon, Miss Pie will teach Mister Veterinary about the art of baking. Do you agree?”

“An excellent plan, your Honor,” said Fletcher, at once.

“OK!” said Pinkie Pie, as she struggled to convert her patio into a sun deck.

Princess Twilight Sparkle smiled and nodded. She looked to Marigold earnestly.

I remember the first time I met you, thought Marigold. You looked so lost, here in Ponyville. You didn’t even know where the Library was. And you seemed impatient, so anxious to leave, as if Ponyville was no more than an interruption in your life.

But look at you, my darling, you are one of us now. A dedicated citizen of my Ponyville. You are one of my dear little ponies! And a Princess! I have never been so proud of my town as I am right now, thought Marigold.

“Third,” Marigold said, her eyes moist. “I suggest that Princess Twilight act as Mayor this morning, while I take her place in the Library.” Marigold smiled. “The Summer Sun Celebration is coming up and it would be helpful, I think, if I researched the history of Ponyville and its previous celebrations. Mister Veterinary and Miss Pie can assist Princess Twilight through her duties. Then, in the afternoon, the Princess can stand beside me as I consider the issues of our community.”

“I am honored, Madam Mayor,” said Princess Twilight. “I’ll do my best! You can count on me!”

I love you as a daughter, Princess, thought Marigold. Aloud she said, “Well, then! If there are no objections…?” She tapped her clipboards on the table.

As the conference broke up, Princess Twilight approached Madam Mayor. “Those are nice clipboards,” she said.

“You like them?” asked Marigold. “Mister Davenport makes them up for me, specially.”

“Mine are from Canterlot. Monogrammed. See?” Twilight held up her notes from the meeting. A big T graced her clipboard. “I know this little shop, near the Lunar Tower.”

“Whoa! Nice! Tell me more,” said Marigold.

And they both walked away, talking not as princess and subject, but as sisters, into Shadow Day.