Playing Tricks
Today, Marcus is making a delivery to Silloth. Silloth is by the seaside and Marcus loves going there…but the trucks are grumpy.
The trucks are new; they were comfortable and didn't want to leave the Shunting Yard. The trucks keep making excuses to be left behind.
"My wheel is loose," one truck says.
"My axle is creaked," says another.
"My breaks are sticky."
"My rivets are too tight."
Marcus ignores them; he has heard the trucks' excuses before and knows they were inspected this morning…
Now, Marcus has come to a steep hill…but the first truck sees that Marcus' coupling is creaking and tries to warn Marcus. "Marcus, you're coupling is loose." …But Marcus doesn't believe him, and he doesn't listen…
Oh no! the coupling has snapped! The trucks have broken away and they're running backwards down the hill. Marcus is surprised and chases after them.
The Guard applies the brakes…and the trucks begin to slow down…
At last, they to a stop, and Marcus catches up to the new trucks and is coupled up again. "You mustn't play tricks like that," he says, "because when there is a problem, no one will believe you." …
The trucks know that Marcus is right. Next time they are needed, they will remember not to make silly excuses.
Hide and Seek
Nathan and Kenneth are playing hide-and-seek, but Nathan is grumpy because Kenneth always wins. Kenneth always manages to find Nathan, but Nathan can never find Kenneth…
This time, Nathan has an idea…First, Nathan hides at Farmer Briar's Farm. Then, he hears Kenneth's whistle. Nathan doesn't see Kenneth…so he sneaks away to find another place to hide…
Next, Nathan hides at Whitehaven Sheds…but he hears Kenneth talking with Sandy. Nathan rolls away as quietly as he can…
Now, Nathan is hiding at the Port in Barrow…Kenneth rolls in puffing and panting; he is very tired…Nathan sees his friend. Now, he feels bad for tricking him.
"Nathan!" Kenneth calls, "I give up! You win!"
Nathan rolls out of his hiding place…He apologizes to Kenneth and tells him about his trick. "I'm sorry, Kenneth. You're much better at hide-and-seek than I am. You win again." …
Kenneth is happy he won, but he is even happier that Nathan is sorry for tricking him. Well done, Nathan!
Tracy's New Whistle
Tracy has been to the Repair Yard; she has been given a new whistle…Tracy wants to see how loud her new whistle is, but she isn't sure which is the best place to try it out…
There's the Farm filled with animals, the Meadow where Kenneth is watching butterflies, the Duck Pond, Whitehaven Sheds where Laurence is resting and the Port with its big ships…Which is the best place for Tracy to try her new whistle? …
Should Tracy go to the Farm? …
No, the Farm is full of animals…If Tracy blows her whistle to loudly, the animals will be scared…
What about the Meadow? Is that the best place for Tracy to try her new whistle? …
No, Kenneth is watching butterflies in the Meadow. Tracy's whistle will scare them too…
How about the Duck Pond? Can Tracy try her whistle there? …
No, the Duck Pond is full of ducks. Tracy doesn't want to scare them either…
Will Whitehaven Sheds be the best place for Tracy try her new whistle? …
No, Laurence is resting in the Sheds. Tracy doesn't want to be rude and wake him up…Where else can Tracy go? …
The last place Tracy can go is the Port. It's full of big ships, creaking cranes and lots of very loud whistles and horns…Is this a good place for Tracy to try her new whistle? …
Yes! the Port is the perfect place for Tracy to whistle loudly. There are lots and lots of loud sounds there and Tracy can whistle as loudly as she wants without bothering anyone. Well done, Tracy!
Which Load for Which Place?
Marcus and Nathan each have a job to do, but they're not sure where they should go. Marcus has a very bright lightbulb, and Nathan has a colourful lightbulb.
There are two different places where Marcus and Nathan can go. There's the lighthouse in Silverdale and a dance party in Kirkby Stephen…Which is the right place for each engine to go? …
Marcus is first…Where should he take his very bright lightbulb, the lighthouse or the dance party? …
A very bright lightbulb will make it hard to see at the dance party and there are many lights there already…The lighthouse is by the sea; it is very dark, and the ships need to see where they are going…So, which is the right place for Marcus to go? …
Yes, Marcus must go to the lighthouse. A very bright lightbulb will help the ships to see in the dark and be safe.
Now, it's Nathan's turn…Where should he take his colourful lightbulb, the lighthouse or the dance party? …
Nathan's lightbulb doesn't make much light, and ships won't be able to see it very well…The dance party has lots of music and flashing lights will make it even more fun. So, where should Nathan go?…
Yes, Nathan has to go to the dance party. A colourful lightbulb will make everyone very happy while they're dancing.
Marcus and Nathan have made their deliveries, and they are very happy to have been Really Useful. Well done, Marcus, and well done, Nathan!
