The Monster Under the Shed
(Part 1)
Narrator
It was a windy night on the Island of Sodor. Sir Topham Hatt had the engines come back to their sheds early because of the bad weather. The engines sat at Knapford Station waiting for the signals to allow them to return to the sheds. The wind howled through the empty station, and the engines were bored.
Thomas
What we need is a story to help us pass the time.
Narrator
...Thomas suggested. The other engines agreed.
James
I have the perfect story for a night like tonight.
Narrator
...said James. The other engines all waited for James to start telling his story.
James
Once upon a time, there was a little tank engine, who lived on a railway far away. He was a helpful engine, and always did what ever his controller asked him to do. One night, he was called to the station. His controller was waiting for him.
Controller
Little engine, you need to go the end of the line and collect a brake coach that was accidentally left behind at the top station.
James
The engine agreed and with that, he puffed off into the dark misty night. But, by the time the engine had reached the top station, the fog was so thick, he couldn't even see his lamp irons. It would be too dangerous to head back down the line. 'I'll just rest until the fog clears' he said to himself. So, he backed himself into an old shed for the night. A while later, the engine heard a sound. He opened his eyes and saw long fingers reaching up through the rails. There was a monster under the shed! Quickly, the engine raced out of the shed and into the foggy night, with the engine eating monster following after him, it's red eyes glowing, and its huge white teeth gnashing.
Narrator
...James said, pausing dramatically. Percy shuddered.
Percy
What happened next?
Narrator
...he asked.
James
That is the end. The engine was never seen again.
Narrator
...he said, gravly.
Percy
What about the monster?
Narrator
...asked Percy, still shaking.
James
No one knows. It could be anywhere, possibly waiting in some engines shed, waiting
Narrator
...James said, slyly. Percy shuddered at the thought.
Percy
What if the story is true?
Narrator
...he asked...
Percy
What if the monster is out there tonight?
Thomas
Percy, there are no such things as monsters.
Narrator
...said Thomas. The signal dropped and the engines puffed off to Tidmouth. Later that night, the sound of scratching came from behind Percy's shed.
Percy
THOMAS! GORDON! HELP! THE MONSTER IS IN MY SHED!
Narrator
...he shouted. Then, James rolled up from behind the shed, pushing a truck of scrap metal. He had been bumping it behind Percy's shed.
James
I'm the monster! I'm the monster!
Narrator
...he jeered.
Henry
Don't worry, little Percy. Sometimes our imaginations are bigger than our wheels.
Narrator
...said Henry sleepily. Percy wheeshed angrily, and fell asleep. Later, the scratching sound could be heard again. Thomas looked over at James.
Thomas
James, knock it off. I know it's you.
Narrator
But, James was fast asleep. Thomas looked around and saw nothing outside the shed.
Thomas
If...it isn't James, then...It must be the engine eatting monster. It's probably waiting for me to fall asleep.
Narrator
...he thought to himself. So Thomas stayed awake all night.
The next day, Thomas was exhausted. As he waited at Wellsworth station, he saw Percy.
Thomas
Did you hear any noises last night?
Narrator
...he asked.
Percy
Not after James' prank.
Narrator
Now Thomas felt silly for forcing himself to stay awake all night. James passed by, pulling a goods train.
James
Monsters keep you up, Thomas?
Narrator
...he chuckled as he passed by. Thomas wheeshed angrily and headed down his branchline.
At the end of the day, Thomas was too tired to stay awake any longer. He pulled into his shed, and fell asleep before his buffers touched the bar. Later that night, the scratching could be heard again. Thomas was awoken by it.
Thomas
Go away.
Narrator
...he muttered sleepily. The sound continued on.
Thomas
That'll wake the other engines. They will protect me from the monster.
Narrator
...he thought. But the engines stayed fast asleep. Suddenly, Thomas saw something moving along the tracks. It was a dark, round shape. Thomas was frozen stiff.
Thomas
T-t-t-that must be the monster's head.
Narrator
...he shivered. Then, he could see the monsters eyes flashing, and it started to come closer and closer to his shed. Thomas shuddered in fear. He shut his eyes tight and shouted,...
Thomas
HELP! THE MONSTER IS GOING TO GET ME!
Narrator
This woke the other engines.
Edward
Thomas, open your eyes.
Narrator
...Edward chuckled.
Thomas
Edward, how can you laugh? There is a monster outside my shed.
Edward
Not anymore. Now the monster is in your shed.
Narrator
Thomas opened his eyes. A little hedgehog stood just inside the door of his shed.
Thomas
A hedgehog? That's what scared me?
Narrator
...sighed Thomas. He felt silly.
Edward
Percy has a good imagination Thomas. But yours is better.
Thomas
It certainly is. It's the only thing that could turn a little hedgehog into a big scary monster.
Narrator
Just then, Percy puffed in. He had been taking a late night train, and was grinning widly.
Thomas
What are your so pleased about?
Narrator
Thomas asked, sleepily. Percy decided he'd tell Thomas about it in the morning.