"They were right behind us! I could hear 'em hootin' and hollerin' at me an' the boys, tellin' us we were done for! Well, we all three knew they were full of it, but we soon saw why they thought we were cooked. Straight ahead was a horrible ravine, ten feet wide and two hundred feet deep! If we fell into it, we'd be smashed t' bits, left in pieces like a bit o' shale after a stampede!" Shoofly Pie stomped his hooves on the ground, making his audience of one giggle with glee.

"So what did you do?!" Pinkie Pie asked. She hopped up and down with excitement, all her attention focused on Shoofly.

"Why, we jumped our troika right into the air," The stallion reared up on his hind legs for extra dramatic effect, "and sailed across that ravine like t'were nothin'! I admit, I was terrified. But we landed on the other side with a mighty thump, and we were home free!"

"Woohoo! I knew you'd make it!" Pinkie squealed. "Did you get that filly back to her family?"

"'Course we did, Mena. She an' her folks were so grateful that they even let us stay for dinner! Her мама made the best dumplings I've ever had."

"That's so awesome, Uncle Shoo! When I grow up, I wanna drive a troika with my friends!"

Shoofly chuckled as he shifted positions so he could lie down. His knees were aching. "Is that so?" he asked his niece, raising an eyebrow.

Pinkie nodded frantically. "Yeah! I wanna be just like you!"

Shoofly tried not to wince at that. "Well, крошечный як, you know I'm not perfect. I admire your passion, but—"

"And look!" Pinkie interrupted. "I'm already growing a beard!" She put a hoof under her chin, proudly showing off the small tuft of pink fur there. Shoofly always forgot how much Clydesdale was in their blood. He smiled fondly at the pony as she began rambling again. He tried to ignore the guilt he felt at making Pinkie idolize him so much, but it persisted for the rest of the day. It'll be fine, he thought to himself. She's got plenty o' time to change her mind.