Mavis' Special Easter

Mavis was busy working her wheels off, arranging the trucks into the correct sidings and getting the next stone train ready for Toby. As she put the final truck into place, the steam tram arrived with his coach, Henrietta.

"Evening Mavis," He said cheerfully.

"Evening Toby," She replied.

"You look tired. Trucks giving you trouble again?"

"No. I've had a lot to do today." she clarified as she moved into a siding.

"Well, I must say you've improved since your early days. Seems like only yesterday I had to help you at the crossing." Toby teased, but Mavis just rolled her eyes.

Toby and Henrietta reversed onto the stone train.

"Toby, did you see any rabbits at the stations?

"I see rabbits every day when I pass the fields, but not often at the stations. Why do you ask?"

"I overheard some of the workmen saying that the Easter Bunny might make an appearance at Farquhar station." She explained.

Toby chuckled. "They were talking about the easter celebration. They've been putting up the last of the decorations station."

"What's the Easter celebration?"

Toby explained how the villagers would hold a special party near the station and how they would have an Easter Egg hunt for children.

"That does sound exciting," Mavis said.

"It's nice to watch," Toby said.

Just then the guard blew his whistle and the stream tram was off.

"Bye Mavis." He called.

"Bye, Toby." She called back before getting back to work.


During the next day, Mavis couldn't stop thinking about what Toby had told her. "I wish I could go to the celebration." She said.

"Now Mavis, you know we've got work to do at the quarry." Her driver reminded.

She signed to herself. She knew he was right but still, she wished she could go.

She talked about it with Henrietta when they next met.

"Cheer up Mavis." The coach said. "Maybe you can go next year."

"I hope so."

Toby came back after refilling his water tank. "What are you two talking about?"

"Oh, nothing," Mavis said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," Mavis added, but Toby wasn't convinced.


As he puffed up the line he decided to ask Henrietta.

"Is Mavis ok?"

"Oh, she's fine. She just feels like she's missing out on the Easter celebration." Henrietta explained.

"Oh," Toby said, feeling a bit guilty. He wished he could think of a way to help her.


The next morning, there was trouble at the sheds. Thomas was due to take the Easter train but he was having steaming troubles. No matter how much his firemen tried, Thomas's fire just wouldn't start.

"Bother." the blue tank engine complained. "I can't be late."

The station master came up to them. The crew explained the situation.

"Looks like you'll have to use another engine instead," he stated.

At this moment, Percy was busy with the goods train, leaving only Toby as the only available at the sheds.

"Looks like you'll be pulling the train then old boy."

Then Henrietta had an idea. "Sir, is it ok if I could make a suggestion?"

"Oh sure, Henrietta."

She told the station master her idea.

"I can arrange that, but only if it's alright with Toby."

"Oh, absolutely sir," Toby said.

Mavis was just about to begin her work when Toby arrived with Henrietta.

"Happy Easter Toby," she said.

"Happy Easter Mavis," Toby said as he was uncoupled. "I've got something special to tell you.

"What's that?"

"The station-master has arranged for me to work at the quarry today. So that you can take the Easter train."

"Really?" She beamed. "Oh thank you, Toby!"

"It's not me who you should be thanking." He said.

"Thank you, Henrietta," she said.

"Don't mention it," Henrietta said with a friendly smile.


Mavis and Henrietta made their way down the line, collecting passengers of all ages. At last, they arrived at the Farquhar station.

Mavis smiled as she watched the celebration. The sound of joyful laughter filled the air while the children participated in the Easter egg hunt.

When it was all over, Mavis took the passengers home under the setting sun.

"So, Mavis what did you think of the Easter celebration?" Henrietta asked.

"It was better than I could ever imagine." She beamed. "Thank you Henrietta for everything."

THE END


Author's Note: Happy Easter.