Samson the Box Tank Engine arrived at the Great Railway Show yard. He wanted to compete in the Strength Competition. He went to where the competition was to take place.
"I am here!" He declared proudly.
The Judge was confused. "You're... here? Your a little late. The 08s have already shunted the trains into position..."
Samson laughed. "I'm not here to shunt! I'm here to compete!"
Then the Contenders burst out laughing.
"Compete?!" Vinnie said "You shrimps need to know your place!"
"I'll have you know I'm the strongest tank engine on the Mainland!" Samson declared.
"The... Mainland?" Shane asked confused.
"Don't you call your own country by it's name?" Freida asked. "Eng-"
"Ahem!" The Judge interrupted "I'm sorry, uh, Samson but we can't let you compete. The rules say-"
"Oh, please let me compete, sir!" Samson pleaded. "It's my life life's dream to show the world that I am the strongest tank engine! I've spent months training for it!"
"Go on!" Vinnie said. "Let the shrimp make an idiot of himself!"
"Let the little mate have a chance!" Shane agreed.
"It would be most intresting!" Freida said.
"Well... I suppose we could let him try..." The Judge relented. "But he will have to have a test first! Go to Track 6."
Samson eagerly rushed over to Track 6. The 3 08s shunted a long, heavy train behind him and a shunter coupled him up.
"Are you sure about this Samson? You don't want to make a fool of yourself... Again." Henry warned.
Samson just laughed. "I could easily haul this train all the way to London! Now, ready!"
The Judge waved his flag and blew his whistle and Samson started. He pulled and pulled and pulled. He heaved and heaved and heaved. But it was no use. Try as he might, he could not pull the train. He was not strong enough. The Judge waved his flag and blew his whistle again. Samson stopped in defeat. The Contenders laughed at him.
"Ha, ha! You Shrimps should keep to what your supposed to do, switching!" Vinnie laughed.
"He's right mate. Do what your good at. Competitions like this ain't for you little guys." Shane agreed.
"You British tank engines are very strange things." Freida said.
"I told you so!" Henry mouthed. Samson just grunted.
"Well, Samson, uh... Thank you for your trial but I'm afraid you can't comp-"
"This is rigged! Rigged I tell you!" Samson declared. "Rigged against tank engines! You big engines are always pulling dirty tricks! I'm the strongest tank engine! You'll be hearing from my lawyers!"
Samson hurried out of the yard, still shouting about how the competition was rigged. The Contenders stared in bewilderment for a moment before bursting out into laughter once more.
"Well... Uh... quite now everyone! Now thatspectacle is out of the way, we can begin the actual competition! Every body ready!"