"And there's where I learned of the joke that was played on me. Don't mind admitting that was a shock..." He shook his head and continued onward until he reached a large tree. He looked up at it and smiled fondly. "I was able to get a leg-up on that smoke critter, thanks to this tree. Pretty much saved my life. Well, up to a point, anyway." He gave the weathered tree an affectionate pat with a forehoof before turning and following the path he had taken after bucking the branch off of it. Zecora gave the tree a pat in turn along with a respectful nod. She'd always felt that some of the forest's trees were more alive than they appeared, and this grandfather of a tree had helped her love out of a tight situation.