Dear Princess Celestia,

Thank you for inviting me to share tea in the gardens with you yesterday. The weather has been so lovely this week! It was nice to take a break from those musty books and breathe a little fresh air.

That question you asked me about the griffon king and his brother—I know you told me to take my time and think about it, but isn't the answer obvious? The king had to banish his brother to maintain social order. There's no reason for him to regret that decision. He did the only thing he could do. Without functioning social hierarchies, the griffons would be no better than animals. A rebellion would have destabilized the whole region and thrown the neighboring principalities into chaos.

You've taught me time and again how important the principle of harmony is. Clearly, harmony requires the preservation of a strong and egalitarian social order.

Your faithful student,
Starlight Glimmer

Dear Princess Celestia,

The fact that the griffon king regrets his decision makes me wonder how fit he is to rule. Griffons desire power the same as ponies and dragons—and if you're not prepared to defend what power you have against those who want to take it from you, then you don't have a right to that power. If the king has ruled as long as you say, he should be used to the burden of power by now. He made the only choice a king can make in a situation like that. Regret is a weakness rulers can't afford.

But seeing as the only things I rule are an old tower and a few dusty books, I hope it's something I can afford. I want to apologize for the things I said to the night librarian when she found me in the Star Swirl Wing last week. She surprised me, and I must have been pretty crabby to say the things she says I said. I don't really remember, myself.

I hope you don't mind that I've been browsing through Star Swirl's old spells. I know you told me I shouldn't get ahead of myself, and I understand that. Maybe you could teach me some more about that mirror? That'd be a good way to keep my mind off Star Swirl's old work.

Your faithful student,
Sunset Shimmer

Dear Princess Celestia,

I haven't had time to think about your problem until today.

Between the reigns of King Grover I and King Guto, the griffon kingdom experienced five minor uprisings and two rebellions, none of which involved siblings of a perching monarch. Two of King Guilfoyle's first cousins (on his dam's side) participated in the Bluebeak Rebellion of 778, but neither held a position of leadership. I assume, therefore, that you wish to test my reasoning regarding an hypothetical situation like the one you described.

Although you express the problem as a Hoofson's Choice and don't consider other options the king might take, I have concluded that the king's decision was nonetheless correct. Please find enclosed a list of alternative solutions which I took the liberty of drawing up over lunch today. I have included arguments for and against each. Assuming your original formulation included all details relevant to the decision, I am confident that this list is exhaustive. But as my work demonstrates, the king had only one logically permissible choice in this matter.

Your faithful student,
Moon Dancer

Dear Princess Celestia,

First I want to relay a big thank you from Spike. We received the gemstone cupcakes you sent and had a little hatchday party. Cadance stopped by, and so did my dad. (Mom went to Baltimare with Shining Armor to help him get settled at the Guard Academy.) Anyway, Spike and I had a great time.

Now, about the problem you posed. I've thought about it all week and... Well, I don't want to disappoint you, Princess, but I don't think I really understand the problem. You asked me, "Was the king right to banish his brother?" But I don't think it's a matter of right and wrong. He just did what he had to do.

Ugh. No, that's not it. He didn't have to do anything. He made a choice. That's why I'm not sure I understand your question. Every choice has costs and benefits, and he'll never know if he made the best choice he could, given those circumstances. It's all just counterfactual speculation.

Sorry I couldn't give you a better answer, Princess.

Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle