The Daycare

>you've been going to daycare for about two weeks now
>daddy didn't want to leave you all alone at home
>and you didn't really want to be left alone either
>so daddy signed you up for daycare
>you thought it was pretty scary at first
>there were so many other fluffy ponies all around, and you didn't know any of them
>they were nice to you though
>now you have a bunch of friends
>you play with blocks and toys and do all sorts of fun stuff all day
>it sure beats staying home
>there's also a man who runs the daycare
>his name is Mr. Farber
>he's the only human here, except when all the daddies and mommies come to pick up the kids
>he always brings snacks and reads stories to you all
>you can't help but wonder where he gets all that time
>daddy's always busy, so he doesn't normally have time to do those things with you
>but Mr. Farber does it everyday
>it's crazy
>it's late now, and most of the fluffies have gone home
>you're really scared
>where could daddy be?
>is he hurt?
>you almost start to cry, but you're interrupted by the phone ringing
>Mr. Farber answers it and tells you it's daddy
>that must mean he's alright!
>you're not even sad anymore, just excited for daddy to come
>"Mmhm. Oh. Okay. Yes, yes, I'll tell her. No, it's no trouble at all. Extra pay? Nonsense. It's fine. Yes. Absolutely. Alright, bye."
>you don't really understand what he's talking about, but he used a lot of good words like "yes", so that can only mean good things
>Mr. Farber turns to you and kneels down
>he winces in pain
>daddy says that since Mr. Farber is old, his back hurts a lot
>that's why he can't really run and play with all of you
>"Hey. Your daddy's going to be a bit later than usual."
>your heart sinks
>daddy's going to take even longer?
>you really miss daddy
>"His car broke down on the side of the highway, and he needs to get it fixed."
>"Oh. Awwight."
>"Hey, cheer up! You like my stories, right?"
>you do like his stories
>"Yes..."
>"So, come over here. I'll tell you a story."
>he turns away
>"A very old story..."
>he leads you over to his rocking chair where he sits when he reads you the stories
>"C'mon. Up here."
>this is the first time you've sat on his lap while he read you a story
>wait, where's the storybook?
>how is he gonna read without a storybook?
>"It was...many years ago..."
>"Haw many?"
>"Let's go with fifty years ago."
>fifty years ago?!
>that's a long time!
>"Anyways, I had just gotten married a couple months before that. My wife and I were very happy together."
>"Wha was her name?"
>"Meredith."
>that's a funny name
>"Regardless, Meredith and I were as happy as could be. In fact, we had a baby on the way. He was going to be named Jacob."
>"Meredith was so happy...she'd always wanted a little baby to take care of. She went on and on about it, day and night...she was the happiest I'd ever seen her."
>"But then something bad happened. Very bad. When it was finally time for the baby to be born, Meredith...she didn't make it. She got very sick and never got to see him. We could still get the baby, but by that time...she was already gone."
>you're shocked
>"Thass terribwe!"
>Mr. Farber has tears rolling down his old, leathery face
>"Yes...yes it was terrible."
>"Wha happened to Jacah?"
>"He was taken away from me. I wasn't getting enough money for the two of us. I spent as much of it as I could on him, but it wasn't enough. People started noticing, and that's what it lead to."
>"Buh you twyed your best! You wanted to hewp Jacah!"
>"I wanted to, yes. But I couldn't. I couldn't find a better job, and I couldn't put him up for adoption...well, I could've, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing that I gave up on him."
>you've never heard such a sad story before
>"So, that's when I learned about fluffy ponies. Jacob acted just like the average fluffy, so I devoted my life to taking care of them. I wanted to help fluffies. I wanted to help my son. I don't even know where he is now."
>you give Mr. Farber a hug and he returns it
>you hear a knock on the door
>it's daddy!
>you run up to him and he picks you up
>he thanks Mr. Farber for staying late and takes you home
>but you still have a nagging feeling in the back of your mind
>when you get home, you tell daddy all about what Mr. Farber told you
>you also mention that nagging feeling
>"Well, I think you're getting that feeling because you feel bad for him. That's called empathy."
>you do feel bad for Mr. Farber
>"And you want to get rid of that feeling and make Mr. Farber feel better?"
>you nod
>"Well then, I think I have an idea."
>daddy tells you all about what you should do
>you agree that it's a great idea, and when you go to the daycare the next morning you tell all of your friends
>they want to help you with it, and you let them
>over the course of the next two weeks, all of the fluffies at the daycare work in secret on a big surprise for Mr. Farber
>you finally finish, and everyone arrives early the next day to get everything set up
>all of the mommies and daddies are there too
>when Mr. Farber walks in, you all shout "Suhprise!"
>you and your friends set up a great big Thank-You party for Mr. Farber
>he smiles wider than you've ever seen
>he thanks each and every one of you
>you're glad he's so happy
>your daddy speaks up
>"And that's not all. Just take a look at this!'
>a tall man walks in, about as old as daddy
>he's got short brown hair and is taller than everybody else
>as soon as Mr. Farber sees him, he stops smiling
>"Mistah Fahbuh? Wha's wong?"
>he keeps staring at the man before mouthing "Jacob"
>Jacob walks up to Mr. Farber, slowly and deliberately
>both of them are crying, now
>Jacob hugs Mr. Farber really tightly
>"I've missed you, old man."
>"Jacob."
>they hug some more, before Jacob pulls back and pats Mr. Farber on the shoulders
>Mr. Farber turns to the whole crowd
>"Everyone? I'd like you all to meet my son. Jacob."
>Everybody claps really loudly
>you try to clap, but your hooves are too fluffy
>so you cheer instead
>as everybody resumes speaking with each other, Mr. Farber calls you over
>he kneels down and speaks to you in a quiet voice
>"Did you tell everybody about my story?"
>you nod, somewhat sheepishly
>you're not sure if he's angry at you
>"Well."
>he stands up, but not before petting your fluff
>"Thank you."
>you're glad you helped him out
>"Youwe wewcome!"
>Mr. Farber stands back up
>"Look, someone brought cake! Who wants a slice?"
>the mommies and daddies aren't interested, but all of the fluffies clamor for some of it
>later that night, your daddy makes you special nummies for doing such an amazing job
>you're just happy that everyone else is happy
>daddy tells you what a good fluffy you are and tucks you in
>you fall asleep that night with the biggest smile you've ever had
>daycare is nice