I was actually searching for the original MY LITTLE PONY (dating myself here, I know), saw the FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC episodes, thought I'd give a try...and the rest is history.
I didn't know about the fandom when I started to like it. When I found out later, I figured I'd just be finding above-average fanfiction (which turned out to be true).
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The existence of the leader who is wise
is barely known to those he leads.
He acts without unnecessary speech,
so that the people say,
'It happened of its own accord.' -Tao Te Ching, Verse 17