“Thanks for coming to help me out, Fluttershy. Big McIntosh is injured, so I gotta take over the harvesting for him.”

“I hope he gets better soon. Is there anything you need me to do?”

“Well, for starters, you gotta feed the chickens and give the pigs their baths.”

“Chickens? Pigs? Count me in!”

“With a pony as eager as you, we won’t fall behind!”

Applejack gave me a basket before picking up some buckets for herself.

“I hope I get to see some baby animals, too!”

I went to feed the chickens while Applejack went to harvest the apples.

---

“Here you go, girls—it’s time to eat.”

The hens eagerly pecked at the grain in my basket and ate it.

“Come on, little pig—it’s time for your bath.”

I tried to get the piglet into the washing tub, but she fled, and when I chased her…

“Oh, my! I’m all muddy!”

Applejack took a break from apple bucking to check on me.

“You know, you might want to let Apple Bloom clean that piglet. Just saying.”

My face fell; I decided to heed her advice.

---

I had finished all my chores with all the farm animals.

Apple Bloom had finished bathing the piglet.

“Erm—Applejack?”

“Yep?”

“Erm—if you don’t mind, may I help you with the harvest? Pretty please?”

“That’s mighty kind of you, Fluttershy. But I promised Big Mac that I’d do it all by myself.”

I could see that there were hundreds of apple trees left to buck clean.

With tears in my eyes, I cantered back to the farmhouse to check on Apple Bloom.

---

Apple Bloom was a yellow Earth pony filly whose mane and tail were red.

She was the younger sister of Applejack and Big McIntosh.

“I’m worried about my big brother.”

“I’m worried about your big sister.”

“What about her?”

“When I asked her to let me help her with the harvest, she wouldn’t let me!”

“Fluttershy, could you go check on my brother, please?”

Apple Bloom pulled a puppy face.

“Of course, I will, Apple Bloom.”

I searched the whole farmhouse for Big McIntosh.

---

“Applejack! Would you be a dear and let me lend you a hoof?”

“No can do, Rarity. I gotta buck all these here apples all—by—myself!”

“Good heavens! Your hooves are cracked, and your coat is sweaty!”

“I’m not taking a break! This here job is worth the sweat!”

“Well, I never!”

“Hmph!”

---

“Please speak to me!”

“Eeyup?”

“What are you doing here?”

“Rarity let me rest here.”

“I’m Fluttershy. I’m one of Rarity’s friends.”

“Big McIntosh. Big Mac for short.”

“Applejack needs help!”

“Uh-oh.”

---

“Big Mac? Is that you?”

“No, I’m Fluttershy.”

“I gotta finish…!”

“N-n-nope!”

“Don’t worry, Applejack. Your brother is all better.”

“Eeyup!”

“Where are we supposed to deliver all those apples?”

“Appleloosa!”

---

“Thank you ever so much, darling! I never could’ve convinced that stubborn mare myself!”

“It was nothing. I was just concerned for Applejack.”

“Oh, Fluttershy, you simply must accept a reward from me!”

“But what?”

“The Grand Galloping Gala is coming up. You may not go there without wearing proper attire!”

“The G-G-Grand G-G-Galloping G-G-Gala? P-P-Proper attire?”

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