Today’s story offers a whimsical Equestrian take on an equally whimsical holiday.

The Life And Death Of April Fool
[Comedy] [Slice of Life] • 2,132 words

Under a rock in the Everfree Forest, there lived a pony.

Once a year, she came out to play.

FROM THE CURATORS: While this fic’s title might make it sound like the sort of clickbait that floods in when a holiday rolls around, what’s inside is worth reading at any time of year.  “This one is goofy and whimsical, without ever getting random/stupid or dragging,” Chris said.  “The fun here is in the lighthearted, Equestria-esque surreality that pervades it.”

We all agreed it was exemplary light reading which offered several experiences without breaking its tone.  “The way the narrative switches back and forth between fairy tale, normal comedy fic, and almost nursery rhyme is kind of astounding,” Present Perfect said, and Bradel added: “it never feels off to me, which is almost a wonder.”  Even our doubters found things to be impressed by.  “I’m pretty clearly not the target audience here,” Horizon said, “but the mythology is great, and the ending redeems a lot.”

While it’s difficult to point to a single standout moment, the story earned its feature on the strength of its overall execution — and in how effortlessly pony it felt. “There’s some really clever jokes in here, and the tone is very fitting to the show,” JohnPerry said. “Something about this one just sucks you in by the power of its charm.”

Read on for our author interview, in which Prak discusses extra-dimensional yodeling, reader lobotomies, and the black humor this story almost had.
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