Edward Learns His Lesson

One day on the Island of Sodor, the main line engines were doing their usual jobs. Thomas was running his branch line. Gordon took the express. And Henry did his runs with his goods train. One day, however, Edward was not in a good mood. He was so not in a good mood that he became impatient. Like when Henry is waiting to be filled up with coal, Edward cut in front.

"Hey!" said Henry. He was upset. Next, Edward bumped into Arry and Bert. "Move it!" he shouted. Arry and Bert got out of Edward's way. Edward puffed off rudely. Later, Henry was telling a story to Bill, Ben, Arthur and Murdoch.

"I was pulling a very heavy goods train through a storm," he told them. Henry was in the middle of his story. As Henry continued with his story, the engines had gotten more and more excited. "And then," said Henry. But just as he was about to finish his story, Edward butt in.

"Come on, you lot!" he said, "You're making everyone late!" "You've interrupted my story!" shouted Henry. "Save your story for later!" shouted. Edward. Henry, Bill, Ben and Arthur were insulted. Thomas and Percy saw the whole thing.

"What's happened to Edward?" asked Percy, "He used to be kind, remember?" "Yeah," said Thomas, "Something's changed him." They want to know what happened to Edward and why his personality was changed.

However, Thomas can remember what Edward said about Harvey when he first came to Sodor. "Why would Edward say that?" asked Thomas to himself. "Come on," said Percy, "Even I said a mean thing about Harvey. But Edward?"

"Let's find out what happened to Edward," said Thomas. Thomas and Percy followed Edward. Edward was grumpily shunting trucks. The trucks teased Edward. "Edward is lazy, and slow," they chanted rudely. "Shut up!" shouted Edward, and he bumped one of them into another. "Wow," said Percy as he and Thomas entered the yard, "Edward is in a really bad mood."

"Yeah, I know," said Thomas, "look how he is banging those trucks." Edward bumped another truck. After Edward finished shunting the trucks, he stopped in a siding. Thomas and Percy puffed quietly to a nearby siding, not to be discovered by Edward. "Why do think Edward has changed his personality?" asked Percy. "I'm not sure," said Thomas, "But it is strange."

Just then, Thomas and Percy saw Edward was sad. "What am I doing?" he asked himself, "Have I been behaving like an idiot? I want to find out!" Thomas and Percy puffed out of the siding and puffed up to Edward. "Edward," said Thomas, "What's wrong?"

"Hey, Thomas," said Edward, "What are you doing here?" "We want to ask you something," said Thomas, "Why are you being so mean to everyone?" "I'm just angry," said Edward.

"About what?" asked Thomas. "I can't say!" shouted Edward, and he puffed away without another word. Thomas and Percy were left without words. "What's going to happen to Edward?" asked Percy.

"I'm not sure," said Thomas. Edward was puffing along the line, until he stopped. "Argh! Why am I acting like an idiot?" he asked, "Why? What is the matter with me?" Edward puffed further away. Thomas and Percy watched Edward puffing away slowly and sadly.

Henry puffed up next to Thomas and Percy. "What's wrong with Edward?" asked Henry. "I'm not sure," said Thomas. "He must have a mental health problem," said Percy. "I think it's because he's upset," said Henry. "Why?" asked Percy.

"It was an accident 4 years ago," said Henry, "Edward helped me with one of my jobs, next, an accident happened. I almost got wrecked by it, and then, Edward took the hit for me." "Ouch for Edward," said Thomas. "That accident changed Edward's personality," continued Henry, "He's never been the same."

"Oh, poor Edward," said Thomas. Later that day, Edward and Gordon were assigned to go double-header with an express train. Gordon was not pleased that Edward is coupled on in front. "Huh!" said Gordon, "I don't need you, Edward." Edward said nothing. "Gordon," he said, but said no more. "What?" replied Gordon. Edward didn't reply. "Forget it," said Gordon.

The guard's whistle blew, and Gordon and Edward set off. Throughout the run, neither Edward nor Gordon said a single word. When they both got to their destination, Gordon and Edward puffed to a siding to rest. Then, disaster happened.

The ground underneath Edward and Gordon's wheels began to sink. "What's happening?" cried Gordon. "I think the ground underneath us is collapsing," said Edward. "Help!" cried Gordon. "Hang on!" shouted Edward.

Thinking fast, Edward pushed Gordon out of the siding just as the ground caved in. Edward tried to get away, but he was too late as he fell in. "Edward!" shouted Gordon. Edward was trapped in the sinkhole. He was okay, but he couldn't get out.

"Edward, why?" asked Gordon. "I had to save you," said Edward, "I have been acting like an idiot in the past 4 years after an accident. I'm sorry!" "Edward," said Gordon, "What are you talking about?" "I've been a rude engine after my accident. I was rude to Emily, Harvey, several others!" continued Edward, "And I wish to regret that."

"Edward," said Gordon. Soon enough, a large crane was able to lift Edward out of the sinkhole and he was taken to the works. "I bet an underground cave caused that sinkhole," said Gordon's driver. "Well," said the manager, "We'll take care of it."

Gordon puffed back home in surprised. "Edward saved me," he thought, "I'll never forget that." A few days later, Edward returned to Tidmouth sheds.

"Guess who's back?" he said. Many engines were confused. "Don't worry, everyone," said Edward, "I'm not the jerk from the past 4 years, I was once who I was!" Edward puffed up to Emily and Harvey.

"Harvey, sorry that I said you are not an engine," said Edward, "And Emily, sorry that I ignored you." Emily and Harvey quickly forgave Edward. Edward also apologized to everyone whom he was rude to in the past four years.

Finally, Edward talked to Thomas, Percy, Henry and Gordon. "Welcome back, Edward," said Thomas, "We've missed the real you."

"I'm glad to be back to normal," said Edward. "It's because that accident helped his mind to rethink," said Gordon. "I remember the first accident 4 years ago," said Henry, "I'm sorry for letting that happen and thanks for saving me."

"I just need to stop thinking like an idiot," said Edward. "Edward," said Thomas, "You're not an idiot." And the four friends agreed. They will live happily from now on.