This short story revolves around a group of young girls who each possess magical, talking ponies. To gain acceptance into a group called ‘The Other Girls’, they are required to perform certain rituals that involve cutting off their ponies’ wings and removing their horns, symbolizing the loss of innocence and pressure to conform. The lead character, Barbara, is torn between keeping her pony, ‘The Flower’, intact or becoming one of ‘The Other Girls’.
Authors:
Kij Johnson
Years:
2011
Genre:
Fantasy
AwardInfo:
hugo-2011