A visitor was scheduled to visit the Island of Sodor from the mainland. The fat controller welcomed the news, as it would bring more visitors to the North Western Railway. He made the announcement to his engines and hoped that they would give the visitor a warm welcome.
The night before the visitor was to arrive, two engines were wondering who it could be.
"I reckon it'll be City of Truro again," said Duck excitedly.
"Rubbish," muttered Gordon, "It will be my brother, Flying Scotsman."
"Oh, not this again," James remarked wearily, as the two engines were getting heated in their discussion.
Henry piped up as well, "It's hard enough trying to sleep when you two start bickering."
The two reluctantly ended their chat prematurely for the night.
The next morning, Duck and Gordon were surprised to see Spencer come into Knapford station.
"Spencer?!", scoffed Gordon, "What are you doing here?!"
Spencer rolled his eyes, "Why, my dear cousin, I have brought the Duke and Duchess of Sodor for their invitation to meet the special visitor. Personally, I don't see what all the fuss is about really. I mean, after all, I am a main attraction myself."
"And still a haughty show-off as ever. Too big for your smoke box, and full of cold vapour", Duck replied crossly.
Spencer took offence, "Pah, as if I need to explain myself to you. You're just a silly little tank engine, built dime a dozen. I, on the other hand, am a rare sight to behold, a marvel of speed and engineering. Whoever the visitor is, they won't hold a candle to me."
Duck felt so insulted he steamed angrily away with his goods train. This left Gordon to sulk and bear Spencer's nonsense, before it was his time to pull the local excursion.
As Duck ran down the mainline, he was furiously grumbling about what Spencer had said. His driver tried everything to soothe Duck, but it was to no avail.
"Dime a dozen?! Not a rare sight?! Fiddle sticks, stuff and nonsense. That engine lacks class and character as we do in the Great Western Railway," grumbled Duck.
"Never you mind Duck," said his Driver, "you may not be rare, but you are a brilliant engine in your own right."
Duck felt a bit better, but still was not in a good mood. When he neared Maron station, he was flagged down to stop by the Stationmaster.
"What seems to be the matter, Dean?" asked Duck's driver.
"Good thing you and Duck arrived here at this hour, Edmund," said the stationmaster, "our special visitor is stuck here at the station and needs a shunt to the sheds."
"We certainly can do that Dean, but what about Duck's goods train?"
"I'll call the fat controller to have a replacement engine to deliver your goods train. Please hurry, time is of the essence!"
Duck uncoupled from his train and chuffed towards the siding. There, to Duck's surprise, was an engine who looked just like Spencer, except he had a shade of dark blue paint, black wheels, and a name plate on the side which said "Sir Nigel Gresley".
Duck was hesitant to speak at first to this engine, as his row with Spencer made him believe this engine would act in the same manner. However, the engine took notice of Duck and smiled, "Ah, you must be Montague! I heard about you from City of Truro."
Duck was both shocked and speechless. Not only was the engine polite, he also knew City of Truro and Duck's old name. Taken aback, he managed to reply, "T-that I am, but please, call me Duck."
"Very well, Duck, I must thank you for your aid. I am terribly sorry for inconveniencing you on my account. It seems I have suffered a small malfunction with my conjugated valve gear. The equal lever is a bit crooked and it's bearing on my middle cylinder. I simply must have this rectified before the grand event Sir Topham Hat has arranged. I would hate to see it ruined."
Duck smiled and said kindly, "Not to worry, I'd be glad to help you, Sir Nigel Gresley."
The engine smiled and laughed, "Thank you my good engine, and please, call me Gresley."
Duck coupled to Gresley and when the lines were clear, he pulled backwards, with Gresley facing toward him. As they headed back to the Engine Sheds by a quiet route, away from Knapford Station, the two began to bond.
Gresley recounted many of his exploits, as well as his days in preservation working alongside many of Duck's brethren and cousins.
"You knew King George V (the Fifth)?!" exclaimed Duck?
"Of course! He is a brilliant engine, and a testament of your ways. I have never been so proud to work alongside him in many an event."
Duck was in awe and also felt a bit guilty, "I must apologise for something as well, Gresley."
"Good heavens, what ever for?", asked Gresley.
Duck told Gresley all about Spencer and how rude he had been, which led Duck to believe Gresley would act in the same manner. Gresley listened intently, and frowned. However, he was not cross at Duck.
"I say….that is completely unacceptable! Do not worry, Duck, I shall have some choice words for him when I see him. You have my word."
Once Gresley was repaired, and his fire built, he followed Duck to Knapford Station. Gresley greeted the waiting crowd with a magnificent cry of his whistle, and steamed gently to a stop at the platform. All the engines in attendance were amazed and excited to see him.
Spencer, however, was mortified. "Oh, b-b-b-brother! I-I didn't expect to see you here."
Gresley remarked, "Well, brother, while I am happy to see you are still with us, I must say I am not happy with what I heard from your actions this morning; especially to our cousin Gordon and your comments to Duck."
Spencer tried to defend himself from this accusation, "Brother, you must understand, they-"
"Enough, Spencer! I will not have you besmirch our class, especially on this day, our creator's birthday! I won't allow it! It would not suit our designer's proud legacy to belittle others. I will only state this once. We may have been built differently and come from different ways of thought, but all engines have their purpose. It is in this regard, that we must treat all with dignity and respect as we would expect ourselves to be treated thus. Do I make myself clear?!"
Spencer looked down and said nothing. The point was clearly made.
As soon as the passengers were loaded onto the special train, Gresley backed onto it, and with a whistle, hissed beautifully and glided smoothly out of the station. When he picked up speed, he passed by Gordon and Duck with a friendly whistle.
Gordon was impressed, "What a fine engine, my cousin is. I hope he does return to our line again, someday."
Duck looked to him, "For once Gordon, I agree…I have never met a more graceful engine as he."
The End