The Little Blue Engine
(Based on one of Mr. Perkins stories)
Thomas is a little blue tank engine who works on the Island of Sodor. He takes passengers on his branchline with Annie and Clarabel, takes cars full of goods to their destinations, and he loved nothing more than being really useful and making Sir Topham Hatt proud of him.
One day, Thomas was taking cars full of stone to Brendam Docks. On his way there, he had to stop by a signal. Spencer was there waiting on his. He looked down to Thomas and smirked deviously. "Hello, slow coach!" he said. "At a speed like that, you will never get to your destination on time." Spencer's signal turned to green and he chuffed off, chuckling. Thomas was cross. He didn't like being called a "slowcoach". So, when his signal turned green, he raced off as fast as he could. He puffed faster and faster and faster over hills and through tunnels. Steam billowed from his funnel as his wheels pounded the rails. "Fancy calling me a 'slowcoach'! I'll show him!" he puffed. Then, Thomas saw a bend approaching in front of him and he raced towards it. But then, there was trouble. Thomas was going much too fast and when he reached the bend, he felt his wheels leave the tracks and he rolled straight into a field. He slightly leaned sideways and nearly tipped over. He turned his brakes hard on and screeched to a stop. Luckily, no one was hurt. His driver jumped out of the cab and went to find a telephone to call for help. Soon, Edward arrived with Rocky. Gently, Rocky lifted Thomas out of the field and back onto the tracks. Two or three of his trucks were off the rails too, but Rocky soon put them back onto the tracks as well. Once the rescue operation was over, Thomas tooted a thank you to Rocky and continued his journey to the docks. On the way, he had to stop at another signal. Spencer was there. He looked at Thomas and chuckled. "Hello again, slowcoach," he said. Thomas was about to say something back to Spencer, but then he thought for a moment. If he wasted his time and tried to be as fast as Spencer, then he would never get his very important job finished. This also meant that he wasn't being a really useful engine. So instead, all Thomas said was "And a good day to you, too, Spencer." Thomas' signal then turned green, and he chuffed off to the docks. Spencer stared at Thomas with a confused look as he puffed down the track. "Well, he's in a cheery mood…". Soon, Thomas arrived at the docks. The dock manager was there waiting on him. "Well done, Thomas," said the dock manager. "As Sir Topham Hatt would say, 'you are really useful engine'." Thomas smiled from buffer to buffer as he tooted with pride.