A Golden Apple Opportunity
Applejack hadn't woken early so she could test the soil in some of the farther reaches of the farm. She yawned in the early morning light; she was used to getting up early, but that didn't make her less tired. Nevertheless, she pushed on to test the soil. If it was good, she'd be able to plant a few more apple trees, expanding upon the farm. She reached the edge of the orchard. It looked barren, but all that meant was that nopony had planted anything there. Applejack poked and prodded the soil, seeing if it would be any good for planting. Applejack's disturbing the soil let her to find what she believed to be a hollow spot under the dirt. It wouldn't be much of a problem as she could fill it in, but she needed to check how deep it went. She rearranged the dirt and, to her surprise, accidentally weakened the integrity of the ground enough for her to fall through the dirt into the hollow area underneath. Applejack groaned with discontent, and then she saw the contents of the small cave. "By Celestia." Applejack murmured to herself as looked upon the colossal hoard of shining gemstones.
Applejack told her family about the treasure trove and called Rarity over to see is she could appraise it. After about a half-hour, Rarity approached the Apple Family on shaking legs. "I… I don't even understand how that's possible. Applejack, that's more gems in one place than I've ever seen in my life!" Rarity exclaimed, unable to contain herself. Applejack knew it had been a lot, but she hadn't realized it was that much. "Did you figure out what's its worth?" Rarity nodded. "Applejack, that trove is worth more than the entirety of Sweet Apple Acres, five times over!"
It hadn't taken long for word of the 'Apple Family Fortune' to spread. In a week the news had reached as far as Manehatten. It's incredible how fast word of riches traveled. The Apples were shockingly unaffected by the admiration, they just continued their work (except for Apple Bloom being able to silence Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon with a single mention of the treasure). Life just went on as it always had for the Apples. That is, until the Oranges arrived. The Oranges arrives at Sweet Apple Acres completely unannounced. "Can't we just drop in on family?" "Ya can, but ya never have befer." Granny Smith pointed out. It became quickly apparent the Oranges were interested in buying the gem hoard from them. The Apples didn't mind, to them it was just a few gems. However, even Granny Smith's jaw dropped when she heard how much the Oranges were willing to pay. If anypony had been looking closely enough, they might have been able to see two golden dollar signs appear for a moment in Apple Bloom's eyes. "So, what do you say?" the Oranges asked. The Apples, with no need for the gems, agreed.
Applejack had decided to use some of their new wealth to fix up the farm. She'd purchased all the supplies she'd need to have the barn looking better than it ever had before and got to work. "Why are you doing all that yourself?" Apple Bloom asked, "You could just have a worker pony do it." Apple Bloom wasn't wrong. Their new wealth put them practically on par with filthy rich, but something about just having somepony else do her work didn't sit right with Applejack, and Granny Smith agreed. "We can't just go 'round havin other ponies do our work fer us!" Granny exclaimed. "Why not?" Apple Bloom asked. "Why not? Why not! Ah'll tell ya why not!" Granny gestured to the photos splayed across the room, "Our family has worked together fer generations, and its that work that's brought us so close together. It isn't just about working the farm, its about working it as a family." Granny kept her calm while talking, figuring that if she raised her voice her grandchildren would think she was being irrational. Applejack couldn't help but agree with what Granny had said, then Apple Bloom spoke, "Ah know you don't want us driften apart, but that ain't gonna happen because we have a little more money. Heck, this money could change our lives." "That's what I'm afraid of!" Granny lamented. "Ya don't get it. The money could help us. Think about it!" Apple Bloom said. A first Applejack thought Apple Bloom was being childish and a little greedy, then she understood. The money could help them, a lot. A tutor to help with Apple Bloom's schooling, replacing all the rusted tools, and that was just the surface. They'd always had to work so hard, but now they might not. But what if it was that hard work that had bonded them so close. Applejack didn't know what to do.
Applejack went to work the farms to clear her head. She was conflicted. Granny had made a good point in saying they shouldn't use the money. But Apple Bloom had made a good point too. As she worked she saw Big Mac approaching, and realized that he hadn't given his opinion on the matter. "Big Mac, I..." Applejack hesitated to say it, "I don't know what to do. Either one of them could be right and no matter what I choose, somepony's going to be mad. What do you think?" Big Mac was quiet for a moment, then spoke, "If ya side with Granny and do nothin with the money, then ya could miss out on a great opportunity. But if ya side with Apple Bloom and use the money to change our lives, we might change too and drift apart." Applejack nodded, "But maybe, you can find a way to do both." Applejack's eyes widened.
Big Mac had explained what he'd meant, and the rest of the Apple Family was willing to go along with it. They didn't spend the money the way Apple Bloom was imaging, a whole new wardrobe, fancy saddle bags, etc. But they did fix up the barn, build a second barn, expand the farm by twenty acres, buy all new equipment, and even hire some more work ponies to help manage the farther parts of the farm. They'd still be working together, but now they wouldn't have to struggle so much. The farm was in better shape than it had been in generations, even Granny would agree to that. Plus, with all the help, Applejack had some extra time on her hooves to spend with her friends and family. And even after everything else, they still had a small fortune left, tucked away for a rainy day. The best of the old and the new.
AN: Out with the old and in with the new is an understandable philosophy, but not one I agree with. At the same time you have to be sure that you don't cling to the old ways so much that it hinders your life.
I am a firm believer of 'the quiet wisdom of Big Mac'. I know he isn't supposed to 'speak good like me and you', but he did in 'Applebuck Season', though the yep nope trope wasn't really established back then. And before you go saying the status quoi is god, I'd like to point to exhibits A and B. Exhibit A grew out of Twilight's back in 'Magical Mystery Cure' and exhibit B sprouted from the ground at the end of 'Twilight's Kingdom'.
