Thomas arrived back at the shed after a long day. It had been very hot, and Charubala had sent him to collect more coconuts for the coconut stall at Varkala Station, but he ran into trouble by taking a detour and traveling past the Monkey Palace. He had lost all his coconuts and had to go back for more. Once more, Rajiv had reminded Thomas how the monkeys could be trouble and how they once almost took his crown.

"What's wrong, Thomas?" asked Ashima.

"It's Rajiv," Thomas sighed. "He thinks he's so special and important just because he wears a crown and won the Best Decorated Engine Competition at the Great Railway Show."

"He is proud," agreed Ashima, "but he's still our friend. Deep down, he still wants to be Really Useful and cares for all of us. Besides, he's not as confident as he appears to be."

"Like when his crown gets damaged or dirty?"

"Yes, but there are other things too."

"Like what?"

Ashima paused. "Well, when we were traveling home after the Great Railway Show, there was a day when he didn't feel so confident." And Ashima began her tale.

After the Great Railway Show, Ashima and Rajiv started their journey home with many other engines. Then, they were held up and got separated, but Ashima was sure they would meet up again eventually. She knew they still had a long way to go. The two engines carried on and were soon passing through the country of Austria.

As Ashima and Rajiv puffed into the mountains, the tracks became very steep. Rajiv didn't like traveling through the mountains, or over bridges, and he had never been so high up before, but Ashima liked them as they reminded her of home.

Then, as Ashima and Rajiv came to a viaduct, Rajiv slowed down and started to quiver. "Woah, I don't like the look of that," he puffed shakily and stopped.

"What's wrong?" asked Ashima.

"We're very high up, that bridge is very high up, and I don't like being high up."

"But…we have to cross it. It's the only way home now. Come on."

Ashima started to cross the bridge. Rajiv began to follow very slowly. Suddenly, his brakes came on. "I can't! I can't do it! I can't even look! Oh, why did they have to reroute all of us?!"

Ashima backed alongside. "There's nothing to worry about, Rajiv. Engines have been crossing this viaduct for years. It's perfectly safe." Rajiv looked unconvinced. "You know, the Nilgiri Railway where I sometimes work? It has the steepest hills and the highest tracks you can imagine."

"I'm not sure how that helps me," groaned Rajiv.

Ashima thought. She wanted to help her friend, but she also knew they couldn't block the line. Then, an idea flew into her funnel. "I'll tell you what," she said at last. "I'll pull you. You close your eyes and I'll make sure you get safely through the mountains."

So, Ashima switched tracks and was coupled up to Rajiv. With a cheerful whistle, they were off again.

"Now, keep your eyes closed," Ashima chuckled.

"Don't worry about that," Rajiv trembled. "I will."

Ashima pulled Rajiv slowly and carefully across the viaduct and they traveled even further into the mountains. Ashima loved puffing along the winding tracks. It was colder than India, but the mountains, trees and high bridges were just like the Nilgiri Railway. Rajiv could barely see anything, but that was just how he liked it.

Gradually, Ashima came to a stop. "We're at the top now, Rajiv. Are you sure you don't want to see?"

Rajiv shivered; it was cold. He was sure they were very high up by then, and he felt very frightened. "I can't; it's too scary."

"Come on, Rajiv," said Ashima kindly. "It's not scary at all. Actually, the view is amazing."

Deep down in his boiler, Rajiv did want to see what it looked like being so high up in the mountains. He took a deep breath…opened his eyes very slowly…and gasped. "Oh my! it's…it's…beautiful."

Rajiv could see the trees and the mountains, and the houses were so far away, they looked like tiny boxes. Rajiv thought it was the most magnificent sight he had ever seen. "Maybe heights aren't so scary after all," he said, "…as long as you have a friend to look after you. Thank you, Ashima. I would have missed all of this if it wasn't for you."

Ashima was proud of her friend. "You're welcome, Rajiv, but a journey like this can also be more fun when you have a friend by your side." And Rajiv heartily agreed.

"Wow," said Thomas, "those mountains must have been really beautiful."

"They were," replied Ashima. "So, you see? Rajiv may be full of himself sometimes, but he still cares a lot about others.

"Did someone mention my name?" said a voice and Rajiv backed into the shed.

"Yes, actually," said Ashima. "I was telling Thomas about our trip back home."

"Oh yes, it was so wonderful. The mountains of Austria were a marvelous sight; fit for a king…or a royal engine, like me."

This time, Thomas didn't feel bothered by what Rajiv said. Instead, he just chuckled along with Ashima. "So, what is that other railway you were talking about," he asked.

Ashima yawned. "I'll tell you about it later, Thomas, but for now, let's get some sleep. It's been a long day." And that's just what they did.