It was a clear night in Rio de Genero and the engines were coming back to their shed. "Raul," said Fernando, "why don't you finish telling Thomas your story?"
"Oh, I would never say no to something like that. I love telling others about my adventures."
"Yes, we noticed," laughed Gabriela.
"But what about Marcia and Marcio?" asked Thomas. The two wood-burning engines had gone back to the eucalyptus Railway that day.
"Don't worry, Thomas. They've heard this story before."
So, Raul picked up where he had left off and this is what he told them.
After taking the soccer fans back to the harbour, Carlos and Raul set off for home once more. Gradually, the two engines said 'goodbye' and went their separate ways. It took Raul a long time to get home, but he didn't mind. He liked having a good long run to stretch his wheels.
Finally, Raul was back in Brazil, but he still had a long way to go. As he trundled along, he traveled through the Rainforests. He loved it there. There were so many different trees and animals. Raul enjoyed seeing them all and hearing the many different sounds from the birds, but most of all, he loved the sight of the Brazil nut trees. To Raul, they were very special; not only did they produce delicious nuts that people liked to eat, but they also grew to be very old and very tall.
When Raul arrived at a station and waited at for a signal, he noticed some holidaymakers on the platform, and they didn't look happy. "What's the matter?" he asked.
"We've come to see all the monkeys in the Rainforest," said one of the holidaymakers, "but we haven't seen any yet."
Then, Raul had an idea. "I'm sure I can show you lots of monkeys." He asked the holidaymakers where they were going and realized that he was traveling in the same direction. The Driver made the arrangements with the Stationmaster and Raul collected some coaches from the sidings. There was also an empty truck that needed delivering along the way. "Jump onboard," said Raul happily and the holidaymakers climbed into Raul's carriages.
Raul puffed slowly through the Rainforests, trying to be as quiet as he could; he didn't want to scare the animals. The holidaymakers saw lots of them, but they couldn't see any monkeys, nor could Raul. I must find those monkeys, he thought to himself, but they all seem to be hiding.
Then, Raul saw another Brazil nut tree. He watched as a nut fell to the ground. That gave him another idea and he gently stopped. "Everyone, take a look at this."
"It's a very nice tree," said one of the holidaymakers, "but there aren't any monkeys in it."
"We haven't seen any all day," said another.
"You will," said Raul. "I know what do. Gather all the nuts that fall off this tree and put them in the empty truck." The holidaymakers understood. They gathered all the Brazil nuts they could find, put them all in Raul's truck, and they set off again.
Raul continued to puff slowly and quietly. Then, they all heard a sound. It grew louder and louder.
"Look," said one of the holidaymakers.
"Monkeys!" said another.
Raul's plan had worked. The monkeys had spotted the Brazil nuts and soon, Raul's truck was filled with them. Raul stopped again and the holidaymakers took their photographs. "Thank you, Raul!" they cheered together. "What a wonderful idea!"
Raul laughed. "Don't forget to thank the Brazil nut tree. Monkey's love them just as much as people."
Later, Raul arrived at the next station. He left his coaches and set off for Rio once again. When he arrived, he told his friends all about his adventures and they talked well into the night. Raul was happy to be home, but he was even happier to be back with his friends.
"And that," said Raul, "was my fantastic journey home."
"What a story," said Thomas.
"You see?" said Gabriela. "We may not carry as many passengers as they do elsewhere, but they can still have amazing adventures with us."
"Yes indeed," agreed Thomas. Then, he had a thought. "I wonder if the other engines we met at the Great Railway Show had any exciting adventures traveling home."
"I would be surprised if they didn't," said Fernando. "I'm sure you'll find out soon enough."
And as the engines went to sleep, Thomas could only agree.