Percy Helps Thomas Out
Thomas and Percy re both happy little engines. They like doing most of their jobs together.
They don't mind the extra work sometimes, but there are some days when Percy wished he could do Thomas' jobs.
"I like pulling the mail," Percy said to himself, "But I wish I could do what Thomas does." Nonetheless, he had to carry on with his own work.
While Thomas does his work with Annie and Clarabel. But around this time, Thomas started to feel strange.
"Okay," he said to himself, "That felt weird."
"If you say so," Thomas' coaches, Annie and Clarabel said together, but then they've muttered, "Thomas is starting to feel strange." But Thomas carried on.
By the end of the day, the engines had exchanged their stories of the day.
"I've taken a lot of passengers," Thomas proudly announced. "Like that," Toby and Daisy said together.
"And I've pulled the mail train," Percy said slowly. Still the engines exchange stories until they've all fallen fast asleep.
But still, Thomas felt strange.
Thomas woke up next morning and he is feeling ill. Men tried to make him better, but they couldn't.
"Oh dear," said Toby upon realize what's going on.
"This isn't good," Percy said, "And Daisy can't manage his passengers on her own. Along with her own passengers."
Percy is unfortunately right, as Daisy had already started to feel overloaded upon taking the extra passengers when she started her first job.
Percy thought about something. "If Thomas is ill," Percy thought to himself, "Then I should take over his trains."
That's what ended up happening as when Thomas tried to leave, but he wasn't feeling well, so he couldn't.
So the Fat Controller had James take Thomas to the works to get better. "Now what?" Percy asked when Thomas left.
"Who knows?" Toby answered, "Someone's got to do the jobs."
That's when the Fat Controller said, "Percy, you will do Thomas' work as well as your own."
"Oh, sir!" Percy replied, "Yes, sir!" Percy was happy to be doing Thomas' work, even though he feels sorry for his friend.
Toby then left to pull Henrietta and Percy set off to collect Thomas' coaches.
Both Annie and Clarabel were upset that Thomas isn't taking them today, but they knew there was no choice.
"Sorry," Percy said, trying to make them both feel better. "Thanks," Annie and Clarabel said together.
"Well," Percy said, trying to think of something to say to the coaches, but he couldn't think of anything to say. "Sorry," he said, "I'm not like Thomas."
"It's okay," Annie said. "But I'll try," Percy said. Along with pulling Annie and Clarabel, Percy had to pull his usual mail train.
After his passenger run is finished along with his mail train delivery, Percy had to do his other jobs as well as Thomas' work.
Both involved goods trains and Percy had to take both trains at the same time. But then and now, Edward often helps Percy with his heavy loads.
"Thanks," Percy always said to Edward. "No problem," Edward answered.
With that, Percy had gotten both his and Thomas' jobs done and he would often swap between small passenger runs and his mail train.
Already, Percy started to feel tired. By the end of the day, Percy had finished all of Thomas' jobs as well as his own.
He was happy, but tired at the same time. "Busy day today?" Toby asked.
"Yes," Percy yawned. "Well," Toby tried to continue, but Percy had fallen fast asleep.
The next morning, Percy had woken up early to do the usual other jobs. "Come on, Percy," his driver told him, "We must continue on no matter what."
"Right," Percy agreed, "Really useful engines must do the job." Toby and Daisy were now worried for Percy.
"Oh dear," Daisy said, "Percy is pushing himself." "I know," Toby agreed, "We should do something for him."
Percy was about to leave when Toby chuffed up besides him.
"We can help with the passenger trains with you today," he said, "They can travel in Henrietta."
"And I can carry many," Daisy added, "Bertie also promised to help, too." "Thanks," Percy said.
So, Toby and Daisy with Henrietta helped out with the passengers. Bertie the bus had agreed to help, too while Percy did his normal jobs.
"Thanks, everyone," Percy said happily. "No problem," Bertie smiled, "We're all looking out for you." "Even when Thomas gets back," Daisy added.
"Thanks," Percy smiled.
For the next several days, Percy kept on doing the jobs, until one day, before starting his usual mail train, he heard a familiar whistle.
"It's Thomas!" Percy peeped excitedly. "Hello, Percy!" Thomas said, "Hello, everyone! I'm back!" I'm happy to see you again!" Percy said.
"I'm happy, too," the Fat Controller said, "I've heard you've all done a great job while I was away. Especially, Percy. You too, Toby and Daisy and Bertie."
"Thanks," everyone replied. "I've heard about you doing a lot of jobs," Thomas said, "How about I do most of your work for a change?"
"Yes, Thomas!" Percy answered happily, "That will be wonderful!" "Great," Thomas smiled.
As a agreement, Thomas had decided to do Percy's other work while Percy pulled the mail train.
Everyone is very happy on that day, especially Percy, who was happy to have his best friend back.