The sun was rising over Rio de Janeiro and the engines were getting ready for a busy day ahead. Thomas thought he heard music coming from the town. Then, he remembered that the Carnival was taking place. Two days ago, he had brought a batucada band on his way to the goods yard and sounded his whistle to start the festivities.
The Shed Master arrived. "You're first, Thomas. You are to collect some passengers and their produce for the Carnival."
"Yes, Sir," Thomas whistled.
"I'll see you at the Carnival later, Thomas," called Gabriela.
Thomas collected some coaches and trucks and set off into the countryside. Soon, he arrived at his first stop.
"Olé!"
Thomas looked to see a passenger waving from the platform. He was surprised. "Uh…what?" he asked.
"You really aren't from around here, are you?" laughed the passenger. "Around here, 'olé' means 'hello.'"
Then Thomas remembered. "Didn't Nia say that to another engine the last time I was here?" He looked to the passenger. "I'm sorry, Sir. Where I come from, 'oi' means 'hey you!'"
The passenger laughed. "Oh my," he said. "Anyway, my name is Gustavo and I'm helping the villagers take their produce to Rio."
"My name is Thomas and I'm from the Island of Sodor far across the ocean."
"So, you're Thomas. No wonder you were confused. Visitors sometimes are, you know."
"I am pleased to help. Sometimes on Sodor, I deliver fresh produce on Market Day."
As Thomas carried on his way, he collected more passengers and their produce at each station. The passengers were getting very noisy, but Thomas didn't mind. He knew they were as excited about the Carnival as he was, and he whistled cheerfully as he went.
At last, Thomas arrived in Rio just as the Carnival began. This time, he could hear lots of whistling. It was like every whistle on every platform at which he had ever stopped was being blown at once.
Thomas stopped to let his passengers get off and unload their produce. "Welcome to the Carnival!" said Gustavo.
Thomas chuckled. "I should be the one welcoming you and your friends."
"Ah, so you've already been here then."
"Oh, yes; twice. Although, I didn't have much fun the first time. My friend, Nia, and I were delivering coffee to San Fransico, but was rather grumpy at the time."
"Olé!" Thomas looked up to see another engine. It looked a lot like Raul, but it had different paint and a mustache. "I remember you. You're one of those tank engines I saw the last time the Carnival was in town."
"Oh, hello-I mean…olé," replied Thomas. "So, you're the engine that passed us. I'm sorry for ignoring you last time."
"That's alright," said the engine. "At least you had a second chance to enjoy the Carnival."
Then, Raul arrived with Gabriela. "Ah, Thomas, I see you've met one of my brothers, Ricardo."
"You're brother? I thought he looked like you. It's nice to meet you, Ricardo."
"And it is a pleasure to meet you, Thomas."
People danced, the band played, and the engines joined in by whistling along. "All this whistling," said Gabriela. "You truly made an impression on the Carnival this year, Thomas."
And Thomas the Number 1 Engine was proud to be the star of the show.