So Sunflash came to Applejack's house.

"Yew kin stay with me," said Applejack. "Ah'll introduce ya to my family. This is Granny Smith, that's mah brother Big Macintosh, an' this here's mah liddle sister Apple Bloom."

Apple Bloom had never seen anything as big and furry as Sunflash. She clambered all over him, smiling into his Face and stroking the broad golden stripe on his muzzle.

"He's like a mountain with fur!" she exclaimed.

The badger stood stock still, fearing to move lest he upset the tiny filly. His huge face was wreathed in a pleased grin; he had never encountered a beast so small and affectionate. Granny Smith fussed about, throwing her apron up over her face in embarrassment as she chided Apple Bloom.

"Do come away now, leave the gentle beast alone. Lack a day sir, what must you think o' us all?"

The Apple family went away to prepare the evening meal, leaving Sunflash to enjoy the hospitality of their home. The badger took his ease on a thick woven rush mat. Surrounded by the peace and quiet of the homely atmosphere, he was soon deep in slumber.

In his dreams, Sunflash could hear waves lapping against the shore; he saw pale sand, sea and a mountain. A great feeling of longing swept over him, and he wanted so badly to be there, yet it seemed distant and intangible.

Reality seeped back slowly: a warm glowing fire, tantalizing odors, and Apple Bloom stroking his headstripe.

"Wake up, sir! Dinner's ready. Granny Smith says you'll take some feedin'!"

Applejack shooed her off. "Come away, you liddle rogue, let the pore critter up now."

Sunflash went to the table, where various concoctions were cooling. Granny Smith presented him with a jug. "It's only apple cider, but it's nice an' cool t' drink."

Sunflash had never tasted such good cooking. There was apple and leek soup, hot brown bread spread with apple butter, and a huge apple-and-greengage crumble. "Vittles do taste good after all that hunger," he said gratefully.

He had an enormous appetite, but Applejack would not hear of him stinting himself, saying "There's always plenty more where that came from."

"Ee-yup," Big Mac added.

And so Sunflash the Mace did full justice to the spread.

It was late into the night when he sprawled by the fire, warm, rested, and, for the first time in many a season, unable to eat another mouthful. He had never felt so contented in his life. He could hear little Apple Bloom in her bedroom, singing herself to sleep with a curious little chant.

"Arm not alas sand, way south in the west,

So star land a mat, that's where I love best,

Sand not as alarm, lone seabirds to ring,

And alas most ran, list to me while I sing."

Each time the filly reached the end of this strange ditty, she went back to the beginning and sang it again, her voice growing drowsier and drowsier until it was silenced by sleep. Eventually, the badger drifted off to sleep too. After many seasons of wandering, Sunflash the Mace had found a home.