Chapter 121: Percy's Chocolate Crunch

As much as the engine drivers love being really useful, they like being clean even more. This also extends to their engines, which they wash any chance they can get. They don't like to see them dirty or rusty.

But one day at the wash down, Sir Topham Hatt had some bad news.

"Due to a water shortage, no engine driver shall have more than one washdown a day. Usefulness before cleanliness."

This news upset Percy most of all.

"My engine is always getting dirty, it needs constant cleaning. Gordon just does it to make himself feel important."

"I am important. I drive an express engine."

"Honestly, Percy, even I'm not making a big deal about this. It really isn't that bad."

"Shut up, James."

Things only got worse for Percy the next day. He had to collect coal from the coal mines, rocks from the quarry, and steel from the smelters yard. Everywhere he went made his engine dirtier and dirtier. By the time he had reached Callan Station, he was fed up.

Harold was nearby, loading his helicopter up with medical supplies for a nearby hospital. He waved to Percy cheerfully.

"'ello, old chap. Sorry I can't stay to talk, but these supplies are needed urgently."

With that his helicopter took off into the sky, blowing dust all over Percy and his engine. This made Percy crosser still.

"I need to get my engine to a washdown immediately."

"Usefulness before cleanliness," said the stationmaster.

"Well from now on I won't do any work that makes me or my engine dirty."

"There's a load of sugar going to Mr. Jolly's Chocolate Factory. Would you like to take that?"

This made Percy happier.

"Hmm, sugar, that's nice a clean. Sure, I'll take it."

So Percy couple the train to his engine and set off on his merry way. The journey went smoothly at first, but danger lay ahead.

Mr. Jolly's factory sat at the bottom of a steep hill. All engine drivers know to go slowly around the bend, otherwise they'll derail the train. But a leaky oil tanker had made the rails slippery and unsafe. Percy was heading for trouble.

"The bend is coming up, I better slow than."

But now matter how hard he pulled on the brake, his engine skidded on the rails.

"Oh no! HEEEEEEELP!"

Percy jumped clear as his engine jumped off the rails and crashed right through the factory wall. When it stopped, Percy was dismay to find it was covered from smokebox to funnel in sticky, gooey chocolate.

"Oh bother."

Duck soon arrived and cleared up the mess. Next he gave Percy a ride back to the sheds, his engine on a flatbed. All of the other engine drivers were gathered, and laughed when they saw Percy's engine.

"So much for keeping it clean."

"Your engine looks good enough to eat."

"Choc ice on wheels."

"Disgraceful."

"Ahem"

Everyone turned to see Sir Topham Hatt standing nearby.

"Percy, I can see that you have had a tiring day."

"Yes sir."

"But you have showed us all that usefulness does come before cleanliness. As a reward for your hard work, your engine shall receive a washdown and a new coat of paint."

"Oh sir."

"And you shall have the next two days off from work."

Percy just beamed.