Chapter 35: Thomas, Percy, and the Dragon

Toby and Percy teased Thomas endlessly about their prank. Thomas had gotten over it rather quickly, but wished that they would stop with the pestering.

Percy: "I'm here for your soul, Thomas!"

Thomas: "Oh for pete's sake Percy, give it up already! That joke has gotten old! When are you going to let me move on with my life!"

Unfortunately for Thomas, Percy still found it funny. Toby eventually grew tired of it and apologized for his part in the prank, for which Thomas forgave him. But Percy would not give up.

A few days later Thomas was getting his engine ready for work when Sir Topham Hatt came up to him.

Sir Topham Hatt: "Ah, Thomas, glad to see you haven't left yet. I need you to collect a special from Brendam Docks tonight and take it to Knapford. It shouldn't take too long."

Thomas: "Of course, sir. What do I need to collect?"

Sir Topham Hatt: "That is a surprise. All I will say is that it is rather unusual."

Later that day Percy was shunting at Wellsworth yards. It took a long time, and he was just getting ready to head back to the yards when the signalman came up.

Signalman: "I'm sorry, Percy, but I'm afraid the points are jammed. I can't get anyone to repair them until morning."

Percy: "Bother! And the last passenger train has left already, so I can't get a ride back to Knapford. And the day had gone so well, too."

Edward had plenty of room in the house behind Wellsworth shed, so Percy stayed there for the night. He found it rather spooky and unnerving sleeping in a new place. He couldn't get to sleep.

Percy: "Oh I wish I was back at Knapford. I never had this much trouble sleeping at night before."

Meanwhile Thomas had just arrived at the docks to collect his special. He was rather surprised to see a dragon being unloaded from the ship onto the flatbed.

Thomas: "Woah!"

Workmen: "Don't worry, Thomas. It's made out of paper! It's to be used at the Halloween party this year!"

This made Thomas feel better. As soon as the dragon was secure he set off for the big station.

He soon reached Wellsworth. Meanwhile, Percy was still trying to sleep. His window faced the railway, and looked out just as the train passed by. Steam surrounded the train, leaving Percy with a barely visible view of the dragon. Percy, thinking it was a real one, hid under the covers and didn't come out until morning.

The next day the points were fixed and he left for home. When James came in with a passenger train he told him all about it.

James: "Don't be ridiculous, Percy. Dragons aren't real!"

Percy: "I know what I saw!"

James: "I don't have time to argue about this nonsense. Goodbye, Percy."

And with that he drove away. Everybody Percy told the story to didn't believe him, and even started to make fun of him. Eventually he just gave up.

Percy: "Maybe it was all just in my head."

But he soon found out that it wasn't. When he drove his engine into the station to do some shunting, he saw the dragon in a goods shed.

Percy: "Help, Help! Dragon!"

Thomas, who was also in the yard, saw what Percy was talking about and laughed.

Thomas: "Don't worry, Percy, it's just a decoration!"

This made Percy feel better.

Percy: "I'm sorry for teasing you, Thomas. Now I know what it's like to have a scare like that."

Thomas: "Well Percy, we all get scared sometimes, but it takes real courage to admit that we were scared. Anyway, apology accepted."

And the two friends shared a good laugh.