A cutie mark appears on a pony's flank when he or she finds that certain something that makes them different from every other pony. Cutie marks mark a momentous occasion for almost everypony. It marks the moment in which a pony knows what she should do for the rest of her life. However, this story isn't about those ponies. No, this story is about ponies that suffer from a terrible curse.

Sometimes a pony is cursed with a cutie mark that represents nothing, and leaves them feeling directionless and worthless. This is their story. This is the story of the Stray Flanks.

Our story begins with none other than Ponyville's own, Cheerilee. She's just your average mare, one would say. Living day to day and falling in a repetitive routine, she tends to homework that needs grading, and waters the daisies along her windowsill. Today, we got a chance to sit down with her to discuss her life and just how she feels about where she is. We asked her to tell us a little more about herself to get things started.

"Ahem. My name is, um, Cheerilee. I'm twenty-eight years old, and I'm a teacher at Ponyville Elementary."

So Cheerilee, tell us about what it is you do as a teacher, and how do you feel about this career.

"Well uh, I create and follow a curriculum for each year, one that ensures my students learn everything they need to know. I'm happy with this job, I suppose. I mean, it does get rather boring at times, but the students keep things interesting for the most part.

Rumor has it that you actually had another job in mind before you became a teacher, would you like to tell us about that?

"Oh, yes that's true. Well, more than anything, it was just a hobby that I wasn't able to make a career out of."

--

The truth is, Cheerilee aspired to become a police sketch artist. Her ability to sketch faces by memory or by simply hearing a description is astounding my most's standards. However, the fact remained that all ponies looked too similar to be identified via sketch. Now, Cheerilee finds herself sketching faces in place of writing names on lists, and any other chance she gets.

--

Would you like to explain how your cutie mark ties into your profession?

"Of course, I'd love to. The flowers symbolized my hope that I could help my future students bloom if I nurture them with knowledge. The smiles represented the cheer I hope to bring to my little ponies while they were learning."

--

Hmm, smiling flowers symbolizing hope and cheer that somehow ties into teaching? It all sounds too good and coincidental to be true, especially considering this wasn't her first career choice. It's rather common for a Stray Flank to be in denial. They often attempt to find any way possible to tie their cutie marks into whatever their current profession may be. In this case, it's very ill conceived.

--

Can you explain to us exactly how your cutie mark represents those things?

"I... Well I'm not quite sure what you're asking me."

Have you ever wondered if you were meant to be something other than a teacher? That maybe your cutie mark actually represents something else, or that it may not represent anything at all?

"No! I've never! I... I... I mean... You never know for sure, right? Anypony could... I'm not a Stray Flank, I know I'm not!"

Cheerilee, relax please. No one is here to judge you. We only want to help you