Thomas' train
based on "Thomas' train" by Rev. W. Awdry
Thomas really liked helping his engine driver and fireman friends with shunting duties at Knapford, but soon, he began to get bored with doing the same thing over and over. He wished he could help with passenger runs like the bigger students do.
THOMAS: Everyday, it's always the same with me! Why can't I help pull coaches?
But most of the other students laughed.
GORDON: You're too impatient, little Thomas! You're sure to leave something behind.
THOMAS: Rubbish! I'll help bring passengers one day, you see if I don't!
Thomas' luck seemed to have grown one day. The tender engine, which Henry helps its driver and fireman, needed repairs and couldn't pull its passenger train that day. Thomas began to get excited.
THOMAS: Maybe my friends' engine can pull the train today…
As Thomas helped them with shunting the coaches into place, he got more and more excited.
DRIVER: Don't be impatient, Thomas. You must calm down.
Thomas did calm down, but he still felt excited.
He waited until all the passengers have boarded the coaches, and the guard was ready in the brakecoach. The tender engine never came.
Now, on the Island of Sodor, there is a person who is in charge of the railway. His name is Sir Topham Hatt and he is the fat controller. It is his job to make sure that everything is running smoothly and right on time, and so that the engines are all being really useful. Sir Topham Hatt was in his office, when Thomas' driver and fireman knocked on his door.
STH: Come in.
FIREMAN: Sir, the passengers are all waiting, but the tender engine couldn't work today.
STH: Find another engine then.
DRIVER: Ours is the only one available.
STH: Very well then. Be quick now and couple up to the train.
When Thomas heard the news, he was so excited he thought he might burst. When the tank engine backed up on the coaches, Thomas immediately climbed on board and he was ready to begin his first journey.
FIREMAN: Don't be impatient, Thomas. Wait till everything is ready.
But Thomas was too excited to listen to a word he said. Then, it happened. They forgot to couple the tank engine to the train, and it began to move. Thomas was really excited by now. The passengers yelled and waved at Thomas and the crew as they left the station.
THOMAS: They're waving because I'm such a splendid engine driver!
Thomas leaned outside and waved to the people they passed proudly. He was enjoying himself.
Soon, they came to a signalbox, and the signal was at red.
THOMAS: Bother that signal! We were going so well, too!
The signalman came out of the signalbox and walked over to the engine.
SIGNALMAN: Hello, Bob! Who is this little chap?
DRIVER: This is Thomas. He helps us with our shunting duties.
THOMAS: Nice to meet you! I'm pulling my first ever passenger train!
Thomas beamed proudly, but the signalman looked confused.
SIGNALMAN: Where are your coaches, then?
Thomas looked outside the cab and behind him. And sure enough, there were no coaches behind the engine. Thomas was surprised.
THOMAS: Why bless me! If we haven't left them behind…
SIGNALMAN: Yes, Thomas. You'd better go back and fetch them.
Poor Thomas was so upset he nearly cried.
FIREMAN: Cheer up. We'll go back and try again.
At Knapford station, the passengers were all grumbling and telling Sir Topham Hatt, who was on a trolley and trying to calm them down, what a bad railway it was. But when the tank engine returned to the platform and saw how saw Thomas felt, they couldn't be cross. So Thomas waited patiently until the engine was coupled up to the train, and this time, he really pulled it. And this time, he enjoyed himself more.
At preschool the next day, the other bigger students were laughing about what had happened with Thomas at Knapford.
HENRY: Look, Thomas! Your coaches are missing!
GORDON: Did you get so impatient that you left them behind?
Thomas didn't think it was funny at all. Edward understood how Thomas felt.
EDWARD: Never mind, Thomas. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. You don't always get it right the first time. You'll do better next time.
Thomas felt better and encouraged by Edward's advice.
THOMAS: Thanks, Edward.
He hoped that he would really do better next time, all the same.