Episode 61
A/N Henry's name's in the title of this episode, so he tells it.
Hey, it's me, Henry. This time I shall tell about my favorite forest.
I'd lived on the island of Sodor for many years, when I became fond of my beloved forest. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I liked every part of it, from the fields filled with flowers to the white sandy beaches. I still feel that way. But there is one place I always enjoyed visiting more than any other. Driver knew this, too.
"Come on, Henry," he would sometimes say. "We made good time today. We'll stop for a while by the forest.". Driver seemed to enjoy the forest, too.
I loved it here. The forest was full of broad oaks and tall pines. I could remember the day long ago when Toby and I brought some new trees to be planted and Terence and Trevor helped haul them into place. Now I could see the trees growing amongst the others on the hillside. I always felt better for being here. I couldn't really explain why, but Driver understood. He told me why the forest did that.
"It's peaceful," he said to me.
But one night, everything changed. We engines were resting in the shed, listening to the storm outside.
"Listen," said Thomas. "Can you hear a strange whistling sound?"
"It's the wind blowing outside our shed," said Toby. "But I never heard it like this before."
"Do you know?" added James. "If Gordon weren't here now, I'd say it was him thundering by with the Express."
All the engines laughed.. Except for me.
"I hope the wind won't harm the forest."
By morning, the fierce winds had gone, but the damage was done. Driver came to see me in the yard.
"Trees have fallen on the line," he said. "We must help clear the tracks."
Donald set off with the breakdown train and I followed. Trees lay everywhere. The hillside now looked so bare. I felt sad, so Driver comforted me.
"What will happen to the animals who lived here?" I thought? There are those who find it quite strange for an engine like me to love the forest, but I became a nature lover.
When my flatcars were full of logs, I took them to the timber mill where they could be turned into furniture and other things. I was glad the wood was being put to good use, but I was still sorry to lose part of my forest.
"Oh, dear," sighed Toby to Thomas. "I wish there was something we can do to make things better again." Thomas told me about this once when I visited him.
"Yes, indeed," replied Thomas. "But what? We can't mend broken trees.".
"Hello, Toby," said Sir Topham Hatt. "You do look glum."
"I'm sad about the trees," said Toby. "And so is Henry. The forest is a special place to him. Now some of it is gone."
"We'll soon put that right," replied Sir Topham Hatt. " I have an important job for you, Toby. I would like you to take some freight cars to the forest.".
When the freight cars arrived, Toby was delighted. They were full of splendid young trees already for planting.
"This is the best job I've ever had," said Toby happily.
When I returned, I was most surprised. There were Terence and Trevor, busily helping the workmen clear the stumps and branches.
"Look, Henry," called Terence. "We're beginning again. The hillside will look better than ever before. You'll see.".
Now whenever I stopped by the forest, I could see the new trees growing strong and tall. Sometimes, everywhere was very quiet and at other times, I could hear leaves rustling or a bird's wing brushing the air. Often, I could hear the distant sound of children laughing and always, I was happy here. It was good to see my forest grow back again.
A/N I'm not British, they are. So respect my English.