Mind the Bees
Bowler was sitting in a siding sulking. He had not been used in a long while ever since he didn't deliver all of his goods train, and losing to Zachery in a race. Just then, the Fat Controller came to see him, and he spoke rather firmly to Bowler, "I hope you have learnt your lesson, and I am giving you one more chance. The Vicar called this morning and needs an engine to pull a small freight of bee hives. Those hives contain the Vicar's prized bees and honey. I can not afford to have any accidents so you had better take care of them." Bowler smiled, "Yes sir, I will."
"Good," said the Fat Controller, "but let me remind you there will be no showing off on my railway. Really useful engines don't boast. They work hard and do as they are told. Now you must go to Edward's branch line and collect the bees." With those words, Bowler left one his driver had started his engine. He didn't like what the Fat Controller told him about being really useful. All the way to Edward's branch line he was grumbling, and complaining, "But it's true. Steam engines take forever to get started and are not reliable as I." Of course this was not true, but telling such a thing to Bowler, and he wouldn't listen. Edward was waiting for Bowler at the Vicar's farm. Edward was a kind and wise engine, so he politely told Bowler as Bowler coupled to the train, "Be sure to go very slow. The bees do not like getting biffed and stirred. That will make them angry. Also be sure to go on the straight-a-ways. Hills will only make the journey more dangerous."
Bowler just growled and said, "You are just an old fusspot. I know what to do, and I am pretty sure I can manage without a steam engine's word of advice." With that he pulled his trucks in motion. The rattle of the trucks stirred the bees, making them a bit cross. The bees grew crosser and crosser still while Bowler pulled the trucks along the main line. The trucks biffed and bumped each other stirring the bees more and more. Bowler reached a junction signal yard and stopped at the signal. His driver looked at the routes on the map. One route was the curve flat rail line that would get to their destination, but would take longer to reach, and the other was a small hill route that would also get to their destination in a faster amount of time, but would not follow Edward's advice.
Neither Bowler nor his Driver knew the bees were already cross, and much worse still, they didn't know what lay ahead on the route. Bowler's Driver applied the throttle and Bowler was off taking the hill route. The hill wasn't very steep, and Bowler was feeling much pleased with himself, "That'll teach that fusspot steam engine for telling me what to do." Then there was trouble. Further down the hill was Duck pulling a slow goods train. Bowler's driver applied the brakes as fast as he could, and bowler stopped within inches from Duck's break van. Sadly, the damage had been done. One of the hives flew off from it's holder, and banged on Bowler's roof before falling over the side of the rails. Bowler felt drips of honey falling all over his front and face. Soon there was an angry "Buzz Buzz" coming from the battered hive. Duck was horrified and rushed away to get help. He knew what was coming.
Bees, by the drones, left the hive and was very cross indeed. Their home was spoilt and their honey was all over Bowler. They were fuming so much that they began to buzz all around Bowler. Bowler's driver was safe in his cab and did not dare move out, but Bowler, on the other hand, was at the bee's mercy. Some of the bees tried stinging him on his sides, but it was no use. It was, after all, metal. So the bees buzzed and swarmed near bowler's face and began stinging that instead. "OOOH, OUCH!" cried Bowler, "HELP!" Help did arrive later that afternoon. Edward came from behind to collect Bowler's train. Henry arrived at the front to take Bowler away, and the Vicar was in Henry's cab with a new hive. The hive was placed where the old hive used to be and the angry bees flew into it without delay or fuss.
Edward pulled away the train as Bowler was coupled to Henry. Suddenly a rather stern voice came, "You are a very naughty engine." "Yes sir, I'm sorry sir." Bowler said to the Fat Controller. "Engines on my railway do as they are told. You disobeyed good advice and much worse you caused a rather nasty accident." "Yes sir," Bowler sulked. "Since you will not listen, I shall send you packing. Henry will be pulling you to the Other Railway first thing in the morning." Then the Fat Controller was holding back his laughter when he saw Bowler's face, "Now you know how STINGY bees can be. Especially when they are cross." Bowler said nothing as Henry whistled that he was ready and was off pulling a sulking Bowler along.