Shooting Stars

One night in the Great Big Harbour, the sky was clear and bright. While the tugboats were getting ready for dock time, Theodore happens to stare out in the night sky. It was a beautiful sight and he liked the sight.

Theodore feels calm and silent whenever he sees this marvelous sight. "It sure is a beautiful night," he said. Suddenly, there were many flashes in the night sky. "Wow," said Theodore, awestruck. There were many shooting stars, shooting across the night sky.

"They're shooting stars?" said Theodore, "That's what Rebecca told me and Hank a long time ago." The stars shot across the night sky like rapid flashes. Theodore couldn't help, but look at the shooting stars all night long.

The next morning, when the other tugboats woke up, Theodore immediately talked about the shooting stars he saw last night. "Guess what, everyone?" Theodore said at once. The other tugboats turned to listen to Theodore. "I've seen shooting stars!" Theodore said, "Many! Lots!" Three of the tugboats gasped in amazement.

But George wasn't impressed. "Shooting stars aren't interesting," he snorted. "What?!" Foduck exclaimed in surprise. "Foduck," said George, thinking of what Foduck was about to say next, "I'm not interested in what you're about to say, so shut up!"

George then left to move 2 barges in the harbour and a big tanker. "Geeze," said Hank. "Something must have been eating his hat," said Emily. Theodore looked a little bit sad, but was trying to make a happy face.

"I don't care what George thinks about those shooting stars," he thought to himself, "I still think they are beautiful. And I saw a lot of them!" "Well," said Emily, "Good for you."

After the tugboats got their orders, Theodore set off to move Barrington barge. "Well," said Theodore, "Hopefully, you'll be in a better mood than George." "Huh?" Barrington asked. "Never mind," said Theodore to himself and set off for work.

6 hours later, Theodore had finished his jobs with the barge and he left to work with Emily and Foduck. Their jobs for today were to move 2 big ships into the harbour. Theodore helped the two big tugs with the first ship.

Though Emily was quiet and polite, Foduck was upset. He was still thinking about George and what he said about the stars. "George," mumbled Foduck, "I don't know what is going on in his head." "Man," Emily thought.

Later, while working with the other ship, Foduck was still grumbling. "What a dupe," he mumbled. Emily and Theodore were worried for their friend.

At the same time, George was towing Shelburne, the sea barge. "Heh!" said George, "Fools. Shooting starts my deck!" "What?" Shelburne replied.

Suddenly there was a loud thud. Followed by an immediate crack below George's hull. "Ouch!" said George. Then he had a sinking feeling. Literally. "Oh no," said George. George had hit an old rusty steel bar sticking out of the muddy floor.

It had penetrated George's hull and now water is leaking into George's hull through the hole. "No!" cried George. "You are sinking!" said Shelburne. "I know!" said George.

Nearby, Theodore was helping Emily and Foduck with other ship. "Let's get this ship into the harbour," said Emily. "Okay," said Theodore. That's when he heard George's voice. "It's George!" said Theodore. "What about him?" asked Foduck.

"I know he's in trouble!" said Theodore, "You guys! I have to help him! Finish the job without me!" Theodore unbuttons his towrope and raced off to the rescue. "What are you thinking?" said Petra, "Oh, never mind. Foduck and Emily, continue." "Argh," Foduck said, "Never mind, I have to go help, too!"

Foduck left the ship with Emily and followed Theodore. In no time at all, Theodore and Foduck soon found George in trouble. "George!" said Theodore. "Help me!" called George, starting to sink.

"Hold on, George," said Theodore, I'll save you!" "Me too! "Foduck called back!

Theodore chuffed towards George. He soon got alongside of George. Theodore had an idea. He button onto George. "Shelburne!" Foduck called, "You'll have to help, too!" "Right," the big barge agreed. Shelburne helped keep to lift George off the steel bar. Theodore pulled really hard onto his towropes, trying to keep George afloat.

"Don't worry," said Theodore, "We'll save you!" "Theodore, Foduck! " said George, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier!" "You can say sorry later!" Foduck called, "Let's get you out of this mess!" Theodore struggled to keep George afloat. It was hard work, and all Theodore did was keeping George from sinking. "Hold on!" said Theodore.

Finally, Foduck, kept Shelburne steady and the big barge, with Theodore's help finally got George off the metal bar and away from danger. "Thanks," said George. "It's not over yet!" Theodore called out.

Foduck secured Shelburne, and got onto the other side of George to help keep him afloat. "Now!" Foduck called. With two tugs on each side, George was nearly safe. "Whew!" said George, "I'm not sinking anymore! Thanks."

Theodore and Foduck took George to the repair docks to have his hull patched up and later another tugboat arrived to tow Shelburne for the rest of the day. Also, Hank was called to help Emily move the other big ship. After all that, Theodore and Foduck returned to their jobs.

Later that day, Theodore and Foduck decided to talk to George at the repair docks. "Theodore," said George, "Foduck, I'm sorry that I was really rude to you two." "It's okay," said Theodore. "But why did you two helped me after what I said?" asked George. "We're friends," said Theodore, "We couldn't let you sink."

"Thanks," said George, "And I won't say anything bad about the shooting stars ever again." "Okay," said Foduck. After that, Theodore and Foduck decided to go back to the Great Ocean Docks.

As the tugboats were getting ready for the night, they saw the shooting stars again. "Wow," said Theodore, "Welcome back, shooting stars." "Beautiful," said Emily, Foduck and Hank. George could see the shooting stars from the repair dock. "I really have said a foolish thing about them," he thought, "They're wonderful."

After dazing at the stars, Emily and Foduck fell fast asleep. Hank was about to go to sleep, but Theodore decided to stay up for another minute. "I wish," said Theodore. What Theodore said after that, other tugboats couldn't hear it. Theodore whispered. Though Hank was curious.

"What did you wish for?" Hank asked his friend. "Oh, nothing big," said Theodore, "Nothing big." With that, Theodore and Hank both fell fast asleep. But secretly, George had made his wish.