A Bird in the Hoof

A Bird in the Hoof
Season №:	1
Season episode №:	22
Overall episode №:	22
Original airdate:	April 8, 2011
Written by:	Charlotte Fullerton
Storyboard:	Sabrina Alberghetti & Nicole Wang
Featured characters:	Princess Celestia Philomena
See also
credits • transcript • gallery • allusions animation errors • statistics • speculation
Episode guide
Previous Over a Barrel	Next The Cutie Mark Chronicles

A Bird in the Hoof is the twenty-second episode of the first season of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. In this episode, Fluttershy tries to nurse Princess Celestia's pet bird back to health but faces unexpected challenges. The episode title references the proverb "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," which means it is better to possess a certain benefit than risk losing it for something better.

Production and development

According to Lauren Faust, this episode, "was originally conceived as a tug-at-your-heartstrings style episode about losing a pet."

Summary

Late for brunch

You're late for an important date, missy!

As Fluttershy finishes caring for a mouse in her cottage, Angel runs up to her and gestures that she's late for a special brunch with Princess Celestia at Sugarcube Corner. Overcoming some initial hesitation to leave, Fluttershy doubles back a few times to thank Angel before he locks the door behind her.

Just a typical brunch with a ruler of Equestria. No biggie.

Fluttershy arrives at Sugarcube Corner and is let past the royal guards by Twilight Sparkle. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie are also present, though Twilight worries whether the princess will approve of their behavior. At the dining table, Celestia asks Fluttershy about her interest in caring for woodland creatures before introducing her pet bird Philomena, who appears bedraggled and sheds feathers during bouts of coughing. The princess is informed that the mayor requests an audience with her and exits the bakery, leaving her pet bird behind on the table.

Treating Philomena

"Don't you worry, Philomena. I'll nurse you back to health. As a favor to the princess, who's obviously just far too busy to care for you properly. I'm sure the princess will appreciate the help."

— Fluttershy

"You kidnapped the Princess' pet bird? What the hay were you thinking?!"

Believing Philomena to be sick, Fluttershy brings the bird back to her cottage for treatment. She tries several different remedies, but these either don't work or are rejected by Philomena, whose condition seems to be worsening. After a botched attempt to tape her lost feathers back on, Twilight suddenly enters to thank Fluttershy for making a good impression at the brunch only to be horrified when she finds her in possession of the princess' pet. She sympathizes with Fluttershy's intentions but insists that she return the bird immediately since she was taken without permission.

Fluttershy agrees to return Philomena, but just as she and Twilight are about to leave the cottage, Celestia's guards show up to relay the news about the missing pet. The girls feign ignorance of the situation, though after the guards leave, Twilight frets that they could be banished if they try to return Philomena now. When Fluttershy suggests that they at least try to cure her first, Twilight begins applying more forceful treatments on the bird, who soon gets fed up and flees the cottage.

Philomena the phoenix

Philomena 'dies' just as Fluttershy tries to save her.

Twilight and Fluttershy chase Philomena around town while trying to evade the royal guards. They eventually lose track of the bird, though as they search near a fountain where the rest of the Mane Six are gathered, one of the guards spots her atop the fountain statue just as her last feather falls off. This causes Philomena to stagger in death throes before falling toward the ground, prompting Fluttershy to dash forward to catch her. As she falls, Philomena bursts into flames and disintegrates, dropping into Fluttershy's hooves as a pile of ashes.

What's this? Philomena got better? Well, she is a phoenix.

Princess Celestia appears and demands to know what is going on. Though Twilight initially tries to take responsibility, Fluttershy admits to the princess that she took her bird in order to treat it. The princess walks over to the remains of her pet and tells her to "stop fooling around," whereupon the ashes swirl in the air and morph into a large flame-colored bird. Celestia identifies it as Philomena and reveals that she is a phoenix whose molting and sickly appearance from before were just part of a cycle of renewal.

Fluttershy recognizes that she jumped to conclusions about Philomena and promises to ask for permission next time before taking matters into her own hands. As Fluttershy and Philomena make amends, Rainbow Dash gets the phoenix to tickle the royal guards on their nose with a feather, causing the otherwise stern guards to laugh and humoring everyone around.

Quotes

For more quotes, see the episode's transcript.

Fluttershy: Oh, thanks, Angel. I mean, if you hadn't reminded me, I might have not remembered, and then I wouldn't be there, and everypony would be wondering where I was, and... Oh, right. I'm late.

Princess Celestia: Ah, Philomena, my pet. You're awake. Do say hello to our gracious hosts.

Philomena: [coughs and hacks]

Fluttershy: Oh... my.

Princess Celestia: She is quite a sight, isn't she?

Fluttershy: I... I... I've never seen anything like it.

Rarity: Stay right where you are. All I want is a clear path to the exit. Nobody move, and my dress won't get hurt. Stay back! Back, I say!

Twilight Sparkle: Hi, Fluttershy! I just wanted to drop by and say thank you so very much for making such a good impression on the princess today— [gasp] What is Celestia's pet doing here?!

Twilight Sparkle: It's that dry night air?

Fluttershy: But it's daytime.

Twilight Sparkle: Well... day air is even drier.

Twilight Sparkle: You have no idea what the Princess is gonna do when she finds out you're the one who took her pet, do you?!

Fluttershy: Do you?

Twilight Sparkle: Well... no. But it can't be anything good! She might banish you from Equestria, or throw you in a dungeon. Or banish you and then throw you in a dungeon in the place that she banishes you to!

Twilight Sparkle: Did you give her any kind of medicine?

Fluttershy: I tried to, but she wouldn't take it.

Twilight Sparkle: Then you have to make her take it! You can't be such a pushover, Fluttershy! You need to show this patient who's the boss! Make her straighten up and fly right!

Fluttershy: But she can't fly.

Twilight Sparkle: No excuses!

Princess Celestia: A phoenix is a majestic, magical bird. While it appears healthy and happy most of the time, every so often, it must renew itself by shedding all of its feathers and bursting into flames. Rather melodramatic, if you ask me.

Fluttershy: So... aren't you gonna banish me? Or throw me in a dungeon? Or banish me and then throw me in a dungeon in the place that you banish me to?

Princess Celestia: Of course not, my little pony. Where on Earth would you get such an idea?

Fluttershy: I guess I have some imagination.

Gallery

A Bird in the Hoof image gallery

References

v • e Episodes, films, and animated shorts

Make Your Mark
Episode 1 Izzy Does It	Episode 2 Growing Pains	Episode 3 Portrait of a Princess	Episode 4 Ali-Conned
Episode 5 The Cutie Mark Mix-Up	Episode 6 The Traditional Unicorn Sleep-Over	Episode 7 Hoof Done It?	Episode 8 Have You Seen This Dragon?
Episode 9 Top Remodel	Episode 10 The Jinxie Games	Episode 11 Sunny Side Up	Episode 12 The Manesquerade Ball
Episode 13 A Little Horse	Episode 14 Missing the Mark	Episode 15 Cutie Blossom Bash	Episode 16 Family Trees Pt. 1
Episode 17 Family Trees Pt. 2	Episode 18 Father of the Bridlewood	Episode 19 Mane Smelody	Episode 20 Nightmare on Mane Street
Episode 21 The Isle of Scaly‎‎	Episode 22 Roots of All Evil Pt. 1‎	Episode 23 Roots of All Evil Pt. 2