Investigation
Autumn was settling in quite quick. Summer had come to an end, and with its end, the summer tourist traffic came to an end. However, for one certain engine, it was the ideal time to launch an investigation.
"We need to set Ferdinand right, as the innocent engine," Henry said to his crew.
Henry was right. The Fat Controller was telling Ferdinand off for such recklessness.
"I do not approve of this," he thundered. Ferdinand shuddered with fear. "You will shunt in the yards until I can trust you," The Fat Controller finished.
Ferdinand was now upset. His perfect record was ruined. And it wasn't his fault.
"You do know that the Fat Controller is a hard man to persuade," Henry's Driver told him. Henry said that he knew and that he would find evidence to free Ferdinand from his unjust punishment.
Henry's first job was to collect flat trucks and open wagons from the fenland track after the men had finished repairing it.
When Henry arrived, he was guided to the trucks by some workmen. When he came up to the trucks, he looked at the rails on the flat truck in front of him. Suddenly he shouted to his driver to come and look at the rails. His driver came up and saw that the rails had tell-tale marks of a large engine pounding them with a heavy load.
"Well done, Henry," said his driver. With that, Henry's driver took Henry to see the Fat Controller at the Big Station. When Henry arrived, the Fat Controller was talking to Ferdinand's crew.
!
That got the Fat Controller's attention.
"Henry, I am busy telling…" the Fat Controller began
"Sir, look at the rails on the flat truck," Henry interrupted.
The Fat Controller looked at the rails and back at Henry
"These marks, Sir, are the tell-tale marks that Ferdinand is not to blame for the accident. He wasn't being careless, but careful. These are the marks of a pacific steam engine pounding the rails with a heavy train. Now, Sir, who was the pacific that you assigned to work with Gordon?"
"Gordon."
"I suggest that you have a few words with Gordon and tell Ferdinand that he will not have to push trucks in the yards," Henry puffed.
The Fat Controller went to see Gordon, who was waiting in shed. Henry went to see Ferdinand at the works. He was to take the trucks to the scrap yards on the Other Railway, and decided to visit Ferdinand and tell him the good news.
When Henry returned, he saw Gordon waiting with a goods train.
How far is too far? Where do the prideful draw the line? The answer is: when they are defending their pride, when it is under 'attack' by another engine or person.
"I think Gordon's learning," Henry thought.
We can only hope, can't we.