The birds sang on Sodor that afternoon as laughter intertwined with their music.
James and his friend Percy were playing a game they had not long invented, called 'Truck Scotch'
It was similar to hopscotch -but Troublesome Trucks were used as stones and the rails were the squares.
It had been a very tense game for the past three quarters of an hour. Now they were heading to the conclusion of the game.
James took his next shot- biffing the trucks hard.
"Ah three!" He moved forward accordingly. "Yes I win!" He cheered.
"Good game James." Puffed Percy politely, though he felt a little disappointed that he didn't win.
"Thank you. You did well yourself." James responded in kind.
The engines had to go and do their jobs before long, which made them feel sad because they had had fun with their game and wanted to play another new game
"Here Percy, how about we play again tomorrow? You could try and see if you win then."
"Okay!" Percy agreed.
So the pair agreed to meet at the same place in the afternoon, and set off.
They only saw each other at Tidmouth Sheds that night, but even then they were too tired to talk, so they just dozed off.
That's how busy an engine is.
...
Next morning, the engines worked hard and well as always. When the Fat Controller gave them the afternoon off, they were thrilled. They could play Scotch Truck!
Once a line of trucks was lined up for each engine at Wellsworth Yards, James took his turn first.
"A four!" He chortled. "Well, this is going to be another lucky game for me!"
Percy biffed his truck next. He hoped for a five or a six so that he could beat James.
He only got a one.
"That's pathetic!" He said to himself. "I'll never be able to beat James with that!"
So when he thought James wasn't looking, he biffed the truck again.
He got a three.
"Not bad!" he chortled to himself.
Little did he know that James noticed that Percy had taken an extra shot when he wasn't supposed to. This made him very cross and upset.
"Percy you took an extra shot!" The red engine accused.
"I did not!" His friend huffed.
"You're lying -I know you are!" James indicted. "I saw you cheat- you got a one and then you went again and got a three!"
The word 'cheat' felt like a slap in the face for Percy. He had never thought he'd be cheating for taking an extra turn!
"I'm sorry James- I just wanted to win today so we'd both won a game." Percy confessed sadly.
James had softened a bit. He knew that Percy had done wrong, but the little engine's intentions had not meant to be hurtful; he could clearly see it in the guilt on Percy's face.
"I forgive you." James said kindly.
Percy smiled.
"Can we start again? So that we are both fair?" Asked the little green tank engine.
"Certainly." Replied his friend.
So they played a new game. Percy won it that time fair and square.
As he claimed his victory proudly, Percy had learned that playing fair was far better than cheating as it meant more fun and fairness for all.