>Looking down at your book, you raise your eyebrow.
>Did they really want you to read this to the kids?
>All you did was mess mock some guards when you were drunk, and now you have to do public service?
>They could have at least had you pick up trash or something, not read to foals at the local library.
>You shrug it off and look up at the library, taking a few steps up to the door and entering.
>As you walk in you can she a librarian putting books on old, dusty shelves.
>It looked as if not many ponies came here anymore, but you could still see some walking down the aisles and some reading at tables.
>Stepping towards the librarian, you tap her shoulder.
"Excuse me, I'm here to read to the foals."
>She spins around to look at you, the rather old mare pointing towards an area that looks as if it was full of books for foals.
"Thank you."
>"Don't be so loud, you hippy."
>You furrow the brow and walk in the direction she pointed.
>What did she have shoved up her ass?
>Shrugging it off, you see a small open area with a pink rug, a rocking chair, and a small table next to it.
>On the rug, sat three fillies and two colts.
>You recognized Sirocca, Heartbeat, Nook, Ivy, but the last colt, with orange hair, you didn't recognize.
>As you walk over to them, Ivy notices you.

>"Echo? Why are you here? I thought Jasmine usually reads to us."
>You sigh and sit in the rocking chair, facing the foals and set your book on the small table next to you.
"I... volunteered to read for you this week so Jasmine could spend some time with her friends."
>She gives you a smile, content with your lie.
>Picking up the book, you look at the foals, pointing at the colt with orange hair.
"I know all of you but you, are you new here?"
>Looking around, he realizes you were talking to him.
>"Oh, my name is Ginger Snap!"
>That didn't really answer your question, but you'll take what you can.
"So I guess I should start reading. Today I brought an old book my mom used to read to me about the founding of Hollow Shades."
>"Booooooring!"
>"Shut up, Nook!"
>"Don't tell me what to do, Ivy! You're not the boss of me!"
>"Yes I am!"
"Both of you shut up!"
>You take a deep breath to calm yourself, opening the book.
"I'll have you know this is a great book."
>You flip through the first few pages that have all that usual book crap until you get to the first page that actually has actual words.
>Clearing your throat, you sit up and turn the book to where the foals can see the pictures.

"A long time ago, a group of bat ponies wanted a new home. They didn't like how all the different ponies treated them differently, so they all packed their bags and set off all around Equestria to find a home. They searched the snow filled North, the hot South, and everything in between. But, none of the land suited them. They cold froze them to the bones, and the heat made them thirsty."
>As you're flipping the page, Sirocca raises her hoof in the air.
"Yes, what is it Sirocca?"
>"Why didn't they just bring some mango juice with them?"
>You groan and go back to the book, holding it up again.
"But while walking through the forests, they came across a group of other bat ponies, but these ones wore funny clothing, and feathers on their head. The ones that had been adventuring were almost out of food, and very hungry, and the others helped them. One bat pony named Swift Wing showed the new bat ponies how to plant things using fish."
>"I didn't know you could grow fish! Cool!"
>"You can't grow fish, Heartbeat!"
>"But they just did it in the book, Ivy!"
>You slap your hoof on your face, sighing.

>You don't think you can take much more of this.
"They used it as a fertilizer, Heartbeat."
>"What's fertilizer mean?"
>"It means poop, you idiot!"
"Will you all stop interrupting and just listen to the book!?"
>They all stop and look at you with blank stares and nod slowly.
"Good. Now stay quiet this time!"
>You turn the book back to them and continue from where you stopped.
"With the new way of growing food, the new bat ponies used their mango seeds to grow large mango trees that the others were amazed at. They had never tasted such sweet fruit before! They all invited them to live with them, building a large community of bats."
>"You suck at reading books! I want Jasmine back!"
>You look up to see all the foals staring at Ginger Snap.
"Fuck this, I'm done!"
>Throwing the book on the ground, you stand up and walk towards the door and notice the librarian with a dumbfounded look as she saw your whole scene.
>As you open the door to leave, you see all the foals laughing as they all roll on the floor.
>Stupid kids.

Happy late Thanksgiving Bat Thread!