Reckless Mike
Today, the Arlesdale engines were really busy on their narrow-gauge railway. Bert and Jock helped with the passenger trains. Frank and Charlina shunted ballast trucks into their proper sidings. Everything is going all right now.
"That's one train taken care of," Rex said. "I agree," Etsuko said, "You got a nice railway here." "Thanks," Rex smiled. "We know," Lana said. One engine who was working harder than everyone else today is Mike. He is really busy today. "Come on!" Mike growled at his train, "I don't have time for laziness!"
"Ok, ok," the trucks and the coaches groaned. "He's going to break something," Rex said. "I can see," said Bert. "Hah!" growled Mike, "I can do this job." And so Mike puffed away with his next train.
Some hours later, Mike was taking a break.
Soon, the Small Controller visited him. "Hello," Mike said to the Small Controller, "What's in it for me?" "Well," the Small Controller said, "Right now, I want you to take a passenger train. "What?!" Mike exclaimed.
"With Etsuko," the Small Controller said. "What?!" Mike exclaimed even louder. "Mike," the Small Controller said sternly, "Behave yourself." "Fine," Mike said at last. "I'm glad to be working with you," Etsuko said. "Yeah, right," Mike grumbled.
Soon, the two were coupled up to the passenger train. "I hate coaches," Mike muttered. "They're not so bad," Etsuko said, "After all, we're related, Mike." "How?" Mike asked. "We were built by the same company," Etsuko said. "Oh," Mike replied, uninterested.
The passengers boarded the train, the guard blew his whistle and both Mike and Etsuko set off together. However, Mike was not in a good mood. He rocked really hard. Luckily, Etsuko managed to keep the train stable. "Luckily I got an extra set of drive wheels," Etsuko said to herself.
Soon, Mike's driver started noticing the abnormal nature of the train ride. "Mike," he said sternly, "Please stop rattling." "Ok," Mike said. But this didn't improve Mike's attitude. The two engines took the passenger train to the first station.
However, Mike stopped really hard. "Whoa!" Mike's driver exclaimed, "Settle down, old boy!" "Whatever," Mike said to himself. "Mike," Etsuko said, "What's with you?" "Nothing," Mike answered.
In no time, the passengers got off the train, new passengers boarded the train, and they set off once again. But Mike was being careless. He was rough with the coaches and Etsuko. "Take it easy," Etsuko often said. "Mike, settle down," the driver said.
But Mike just ignored them. "I know something is going to happen," Etsuko said worried. Eventually, the two ended up on an old part of the line. "We got to take it easy here," Etsuko said, "This line isn't safe." "I know what I'm doing," Mike retorted, "Don't tell me what to do."
"Mike," the driver said at last, "This reckless behavior has gone far enough, I'm reducing steam!" "Ok," Mike said. But it was too late. Mike ended up striking a loose rail.
"Oh no!" Mike cried. He tried to slow down, but he ended up derailing instead. Etsuko slammed on her brakes.
She managed to stop in time just as Mike turned onto his side and hit a log. Luckily, no one had been hurt. "Now look what's happened!" Mike's driver shouted, "I'll have to go get help." "Oh, Mike," Etsuko said. She had to take the passenger train to the next station herself. Mike was left alone. He is now sorry.
Later, Etsuko returned with Frank and the cranes. She also returned with the Small Controller, who is not happy with Mike. "Mike," he said sternly, "Now see what your reckless actions has done." "Yes, sir," Mike replied.
"You will have to wait now," the Small Controller went on, "For you to be repaired. Maybe you'll learn your lesson that way." "Yes, sir," Mike said as Frank pulled him back onto the tracks.
Etsuko volunteered to take Mike back to the sheds, but she wasn't happy. "Hey, Etsuko," Mike said. "What?" Etsuko answered angrily. "I'm sorry for the way I've acted." "You're right, you are!" Etsuko replied, "What were you thinking?!"
"I was thinking about doing the jobs myself without help and I was really mad about pulling passenger trains as well." "Well, that's no excuse to go all reckless," Etsuko said. "I know that now," Mike said, "So, do you want to be my friend?"
"Well," Etsuko said, "I will if you promise to not act like a maniac again." "I will," Mike said. "Good," Etsuko said. And the two became good friends.
5 days later, Mike was repaired and back in service. This time, he did his jobs with Etsuko and he never became reckless ever again. They are now good friends and they enjoy pulling trucks together. But still, Mike isn't too excited with coaches.
