Thomas is a tramp who lives on a big station in the Island of Sodor. He's a cheeky little dog, who has four large paws, a short stumpy muzzle, a short stumpy body and a short stumpy tail.

He's a fussy little tramp to, always pulling sleds for the larger dogs to take on long journeys. When the trains come in, Thomas pulls their coaches- as they called them-away so the bigger dogs can rest.

Thomas thinks no dog works as hard as he does, and he loves playing tricks on everyone. Including Gordon, the biggest and proudest tramp of all. Thomas likes barking rudely at him.

"Wake up, lazybones! Why don't you work hard like me?!" He yelled as Gordon passed with his train. Gordon just went on down the line, he had no time for the rude young dogs here.

One day, after pulling the big express, Gordon had arrived at the sidings very tired. He was just falling asleep when Thomas pulled up in his cheeky way, and howled.

"Wake up, lazybones! Get up and do some work for a change!" He let out a loud bark, then spoke again, "You can't catch me! You can't catch me!" And off he ran, laughing.

Gordon was shocked, and instead of going to sleep again, he thought of how he could get back at Thomas.

…

The next morning, Thomas refused to wake up. The sheds were cold, and he had fever-the temperature mix made his den perfect for sleep- his belly was full, and it was too early in the day.

Worst yet, it was nearly time for the express. People were waiting, but there were no sleds there.

"Borf! Borf!" Eventually, Thomas got up, "Oh dear…. Dear God!" he yawned.

He fussed into the station where Gordon was waiting.

"Hurry up you!" He growled.

"'Hurry' yourself!" Thomas growled back.

Gordon began making his plan as the younger dog shunted the sleds away. Yes, thought Gordon, I will. And almost before the sleds had stopped moving, Gordon snapped and dashed around to be hooked up.

"Get in quickly, please!" Gordon borfed, as the humans set on their luggage and the coachmen coupled them down.

"Bork! Bork!"

Usually, Thomas would give the big trains a push to help them start, but, he was always unhooked first.

This time, however, Gordon pulled away so quickly, they forgot to unhook Thomas.

Gordon's chance had come.

He dragged Thomas around his route, never stopping when he yowled. Thomas struggled to keep up with the strong dog.

"Come along, come along!" Gordon howled at himself and Thomas, pushing himself faster. Thomas tripped, howling as his leg landed at an awkward angle on the ground as he was jerked forward. He winced in pain as he pushed himself harder, he didn't want to be dragged along the ground like a piece of prey, so he must keep up.

"Please! Please! Stop! Stop!"

"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!" Laughed Gordon, Thomas howled again as he once again jerked forward. This time, he howled because his claws scarped the metal rails in an attempt to stop, and it had torn out a claw.

Gordon hauled him across a bridge, relishing in the pain he was giving the young tramp. Poor Thomas was going faster than he'd ever gone before, he was out of breath and his paws stung from the stones of the tracks, but he must go on.

I shall never be the same again! He thought sadly. My claws will be torn, and my pads rock-hard!

Gordon chuckled to himself. Thomas panted in pain.

At last, they stopped at a station. As coachmen took of Gordon's luggage, they unhooked Thomas. He felt sick and exhausted. His heart felt as if it was about to burst.

Next, he quickly turned, thinking of everyone laughing at him. He then went into a siding, out of the way.

"Well, little Thomas!" Chuckled Gordon, "Now you know what hard work means, don't you?"

Poor Thomas couldn't answer, he was out of breath and his tongue fell lazily out of his mouth. He slowly puffed away to rest, and was givin a long, long drink.

He went home very slowly, and was very careful to be cheeky to Gordon again.