Charlie is one of the youngest engines on the Island of Sodor. He is the favorite engine of the Mainland Controller. He loves having fun and telling jokes, but sometimes, his jokes can lead him into trouble.
It was another splendid day on Sodor. Charlie was shunting trucks at Kellsthorpe Station when James puffed in with his trucks from the Quarry.
"Good morning, James," puffed Charlie happily.
James panted. "These trucks are such a bother," he huffed.
As James began shunting his trucks, Charlie wanted to make him feel better. "James, what's black and white and read all over?"
"I don't know."
"A newspaper!" Charlie shouted. Charlie's joke caught James by surprise. He started to laugh and blow his whistle, but suddenly, "Peepeeioeoeeep!" James' whistle made a strange sound. They were surprised and then, Charlie started to laugh. "Hahaha! That's the funniest sound I ever heard."
Then James laughed too. "Yes, I suppose it is."
"How did you do that?" Charlie asked.
"It sometimes happens when I laugh, puff and whistle all at once."
Just then, the Yard Foreman arrived. "Charlie, some building supplies is needed at Crosby. You must deliver it as soon as possible."
"Yes, Sir," Charlie puffed excitedly. "Goodbye, James! I'd like to whistle like you and make everyone laugh." And he steamed away.
"Charlie!" called James, "it's not safe to have that much steam in your whistle!" But Charlie didn't hear.
Soon Charlie was puffing through the countryside. Hmm, James said that he whistles funny when he laughs, puffs and whistles all at once, he thought to himself. Then, an idea flew into his funnel. I'll ask my friends to tell me a joke. Then, I will be able to whistle like James.
As Charlie puffed along, he saw Edward. "Hello Edward," he said. "I don't feel very happy today. Can you tell me a joke?"
"Of course, Charlie," smiled Edward. "What do you get with a bird, a car and a dog?"
"I don't know."
"A flying car pet!" laughed Edward.
Charlie laughed, puffed and started whistling. Then, "Peepeeioeoeeep!" Charlie made a funny whistle. Edward was surprised, but Charlie laughed again. "What a funny sound!" And Charlie puffed on.
"Charlie!" Edward called, "you should take care when you whistle like that!" But Charlie didn't hear Edward. He couldn't wait to surprise his friends again.
Later, Charlie saw Henry hauling logs. "Hello, Henry," he sighed.
"What's wrong?" asked Henry.
"I'm bored."
"Shall I tell you a joke?" Charlie smiled. "What happens when a clock is thrown into the air?"
"I don't know," said Charlie.
"You see time fly!"
Charlie laughed, puffed and whistled harder than before. "Peepeeioeeoeoieeep!" Henry could hardly believe his ears, but before he could say another word, Charlie raced off laughing, puffing and whistling all the way. "Peepeeioeeioeeieoeeeeep!"
Charlie laughed again and again, but he had been whistling so hard, his whistle had come loose. Suddenly, there was a 'clang' and the whistle fell off and landed on the side of the line, but Charlie didn't notice. He was thinking of making everyone laugh again.
Soon, a sign warned him there were track repairs ahead and he had to slow down. Then, he passed through Maron. Some children were on the platform.
"Charlie!" called a boy, "what do you get with bread and a dragon?"
"I don't know," said Charlie.
"Toast!"
The children laughed. Charlie laughed and puffed as hard as ever, but when he tried to whistle, all he heard was a big 'whoosh' of steam.
The Stationmaster was on the platform, and he heard it to. "Stop, Charlie!" he called. "You've lost your whistle!"
Charlie stopped. He tried to whistle again, but steam only hissed from the socket where his whistle should've been. "Bust my buffers!" cried Charlie.
"Now you will have to stay here until help comes," said the Stationmaster. Charlie knew he was right. It's dangerous for engines to work without whistles, so he had to stay where he was.
Later, Neville arrived to help Charlie to Kirk Ronan. He whistled at stations and level crossings, but Charlie didn't make a sound. They delivered the supplies to Crosby and set off for the Steamworks.
As they steamed along, Charlie noticed something shining beside the tracks. "Neville, stop!" he called. "Look down there." And there was Charlie's whistle. Charlie's Driver placed it safely in his cab and they steamed on.
At the Steamworks, Victor and the workmen soon had Charlie's whistle fixed and cleaned. Charlie was very happy to have it back.
"What happened, Charlie?" Victor asked.
"James made a funny whistle at Kellsthorpe Station this morning," Charlie explained. "I wanted to whistle like him to make my friends laugh."
Victor sighed. "Charlie, it's not good to have that much steam in a whistle." If it is blown too hard, an engine can lose it. You were lucky to find your whistle, but you may not be so lucky next time."
"I didn't know that," said Charlie sadly, "but I promise to use my whistle safely from now on."
Charlie was as good as his word. He now uses his whistle safely and never whistles when he tells his jokes, because now, he remembers that whistles are important.