Chapter 84: Toby Had a Little Lamb
Toby has worked on the Island of Sodor for many years now, and has many friends. Every time people see him and his engine rolling down the tracks, they run up and wave to him, and he always rings his engine's bell in return.
His line to the quarry runs past many farms and villages, and Toby is familiar with everyone living in these areas. By far his favorite part of the line is Farmer McColl's farm. Farmer McColl has lived near the railway for many years, and is great friends with the employees. Sir Topham Hatt often sends Toby, Thomas, and Percy to take trains to and from his farm, and his wife greets them with tea and snacks. Everybody loves Farmer McColl.
One day, Toby was driving his engine back to the sheds. It was cold, and snow and wind blew everywhere. It was very hard going.
"Stupid snow, stupid wind," Toby muttered, "I can't wait to get back to the house and have some hot cocoa."
But trouble lay ahead. Toby could faintly make out a human shape waving a red flag. It was Farmer McColl, and he looked worried. Toby gently applied the brakes, and his engine came to a stop right beside him.
"What seems to be the matter?" Toby asked.
"My sheep have started lambing," the farmer said, "And I can't reach the vet. The roads are out, and my phone isn't working. My sheep are stranded on the hillside. The last I heard from him, he was stuck at the top station. Please bring him as fast as possible."
"I'll get there as fast as I can," Toby said, and pushed his engine as fast as it could go. They reached the station in a matter of minutes. They found the vet standing on the platform, shivering.
"Climb into the cab to get warm," Toby told him, "I'm here to bring you to Farmer McColl."
"Thank you so much," said the vet, "We don't have a second to lose."
Within seconds they started back down the line, but it wouldn't be easy for them. The snow was picking up, and visibility was almost zero. But Toby struggled on.
"Percy didn't give up, and neither will I," Toby said to himself, "I'm the last chance those poor sheep have."
They soon reached the farm, and Farmer McColl and the vet rushed to the hill. They soon came back, but there was more trouble.
"I need some place to keep the lambs warm," said the vet.
"We'll never get to the house in time," Farmer McColl said.
"My engine still has a lit fire," he said, "You can keep them warm in here."
"Good idea, Toby," said the vet, "This will do just fine."
Within minutes, the sheep and their lambs were herded into the cab. Toby and the vet could barely move, but it was worth it to keep them safe.
Within in an hour the snow had stopped, and the vet had completed his checkup.
"All of the lambs are in perfect health," he told Toby, "Thank you for your help. This could've gotten much worse if it hadn't been for you."
"Happy to be of help," Toby said.
Toby and the vet helped the animals out of the cab and back to the farmhouse. Farmer McColl was waiting for them.
"Thank you both for your help," he said, "I don't know what I would've done without you. I've decided to name one of the lambs after you, Toby. Would you like that?"
"Oh, yes please," Said Toby. Now whenever Toby goes to the farm, he always makes sure to visit the lambs. His favorite is little Toby, named after the man who made it possible for it to come into the world.
A/N: And, done! Next week is our Christmas chapter. Now before I go, I want to make something clear about recent events.
As many of us are aware, yesterday the FCC has repealed Net Neutrality, which prevented Internet providers from playing favorites with the websites they provide to their customers. Without it, nothing stands in the way of them charging us extra just to live our lives.
However, there is still hope. A motion has been passed in Congress to negate this action, and several states are in the middle of preparing a lawsuit against the FCC. Whether or not these will be successful is yet to be seen, but it proves that the war for internet freedom is still going strong.
As for me, I have no intention on letting this decision affect me. For now, we still have the same internet we've had for 2 years, and until that changes I have no plans on stopping. As long as I still have access to , this story (and hopefully others) will still be updated. I encourage my fellow fanfiction writers, youtubers, and other internet personalities to continue as well. Otherwise, the Ajit Pai and the FCC have won without a fight, and I have no intention of letting that happen.
Net Neutrality is not dead yet, and if we continue to fight, it won't be going anywhere. We have a lengthy battle ahead of us, but it is a battle we can win.