Henry to the rescue

based on "Edward, Gordon and Henry" by Rev. W. Awdry

The next morning, after Henry had been locked inside the cave, it had stopped raining. The sun was shining brightly in the sky. Henry woke up and looked outside. Seeing that the rain had stopped, he began to feel miserable and lonely.

HENRY: Oh dear. Why did I get myself trapped here just because of a little rain?

Henry felt guilty about replying rudely to his parents yesterday and wanted to apologize to them and return to them again. He just didn't know when they would return.

Meanwhile, Gordon was bringing new books for Knapford preschool on a wagon connected to his bicycle. It was heavy, but Gordon was strong enough to pull it by himself. As he approached the cave where Henry was in, he smirked to himself.

GORDON: Serves him right.

Then there was trouble. Gordon didn't notice that the front tyre of his bicycle caught on a rock on his path, and then he fell over and twisted his ankle. Gordon cried in pain as he got hold of his foot. Henry saw everything and thought it was funny.

GORDON: Oh dear… and I was going so nicely, too…

Edward was on his way to preschool as well. Then he noticed Gordon on the grass next to the wagon and his bicycle.

EDWARD: Oh no! It looks like he needs help again!

Edward raced over to him.

EDWARD: Are you alright, Gordon?

GORDON: No, Edward… I twisted my ankle. How am I going to bring these books to preschool now?

EDWARD: Don't worry, Gordon. I'll deliver them for you.

GORDON: You? That wagon is much too heavy for you. You can't pull it by yourself!

Edward untied Gordon's bicycle from the wagon and connected his own. Then Edward got on and he pedalled as hard as he could, but the wagon was indeed heavy and Edward couldn't move forward at all. Before long, he was really tired.

GORDON: Told you so.

Then Gordon turned around and saw Henry.

GORDON: …why don't you ask Henry to do it?

EDWARD: Yes. That's a wonderful idea, Gordon!

So Edward went over to the cave.

EDWARD: I know you shouldn't go outside yet, but can you please help Gordon with his delivery? Can you help me pull the wagon? I can't do it on my own.

HENRY: Yes, Edward. I'll try.

EDWARD: Great! Now, how to get you out of there…

It wasn't long before Edward and Henry tried hard to break the fence. Edward pulled from the outside, and Henry pushed from the inside. At last, the fence broke, and Henry was able to come out of his hiding place and outside again.

HENRY: Thank you, Edward! Now, let's get this delivery to preschool on time!

So Henry ran back to his own house, took his bicycle from the front porch and went back to where Gordon and Edward were waiting. Then he connected his own bicycle to the wagon. When everything was ready, Edward and Henry both got on their bicycles.

EDWARD: I'm ready!

HENRY: So am I!

EDWARD: Don't worry, Gordon. We'll come back for you when we're done.

GORDON: Thank you!

Then, Edward and Henry began to pedal. They pedalled with all their strength.

EDWARD: Pull hard! Pull hard! Pull hard!

HENRY: We'll do it! We'll do it! We'll do it!

At last, the wagon jerked forward, then they both began to move forward. Slowly at first, then they gained speed and went faster and faster!

EDWARD & HENRY: We've done it together! We've done it together!

They were riding very fast and they did not stop until they reached all the way to preschool. After their books have been delivered, both the students untied their bicycles and cycled back to rescue Gordon.

HENRY: Hang on tight, Gordon! We'll bring you home in no time!

Henry and Edward parked their bicycles on the side of the path, and then they both helped Gordon up to his feet. Together, they walked all the way to Gordon's house.

GORDON: Thank you. Both of you.

EDWARD: No problem, Gordon! We're always happy to help a friend in need!

HENRY: We certainly are.

Then Henry and Edward went back to get their own bicycles, as well as Gordon's. After everything had been settled, they both raced back to preschool. By then, everyone was congratulating them.

THOMAS: You guys were brilliant! You managed to deliver our books on time AND help Gordon!

HENRY: Oh, it was nothing, Thomas. Just doing what we should always do.

When preschool ended, Henry cycled back to his house. When he arrived, though, he was worried. What would his parents say if he escaped his hiding place? Would they get cross with him? Would they get surprised? Henry breathed heavily, and then opened the front door. To his surprise, both of his parents were waiting for him at the corridor. And both of them were beaming.

HENRY: Mom? Dad? Why are you so happy? Aren't you cross with me?

MRS. STANIER: Your teacher called and told us everything, Henry. You went out of your way to help the school and your friend.

MR. STANIER: We're very proud of you for everything you did today. That is why we forgive you, Henry.

HENRY: Oh… I'm sorry for yelling at you both yesterday. I don't know what I was thinking!

MRS. STANIER: Shhh, it's ok, dear. Come.

And they all hugged each other. They held each other in their arms and didn't let go for several minutes. Henry was happy to be back home with his parents again. From then on, he decided to take care to never hide from the rain. He will try and get over his fear of rain later on.