It was summertime on the Island of Sodor. As usual, Gordon worked hard pulling the Express along the Main Line. It was very busy, but Gordon loved the hustle and bustle.
One day, Henry was helping to remove fallen trees from the Forest. He loved the peace and quiet, but he didn't see many people. Sometimes, the Forest could be lonely.
Later, Henry pulled into Knapford Station. He was delighted to see all the passengers, but Gordon was not delighted to see Henry.
"Keep your smelly freight away from my passengers," grumbled Gordon.
"But it's only logs," chuffed Henry.
"Passengers and freight do not mix," huffed Gordon and he wheeshed away.
Henry watched the Express leave the Station. He knew Gordon was wrong, but he still felt sad. He remembered the days when he had pulled the Express; he had felt so grand and important. "I'd like to pull the Express again," he sighed, "just for a change."
When Henry stopped at the water tank on the edge of the Forest, he saw some children standing by one of the trees. Henry knew it was the old Sodor Wishing Tree and that the children must've been making wishes. Then, the children turned round and came towards him; they were always pleased to see Heny and talk with him, his Driver and Fireman.
Then, Henry had an idea. When he thought no one was looking, he looked at the Wishing Tree…and took a deep breath. "I wish I could pull the Express instead of Gordon," he said.
That evening, the Fat Controller came to see Henry. "Tomorrow, you will pull the Express," he said.
"Thank you, Sir!" said Henry happily; his wish had come true.
The next morning, Henry chuffed cheerfully into Knapford Station. When his passengers were onboard, he blew his whistle and pulled out of the Station. Henry puffed as gently as he could and was careful not to bump the coaches.
Henry puffed proudly through the countryside. "Pulling passengers is grand job," he said.
Gordon was in the Repair Yard. He was being fitted with a new boiler, but Gordon felt lonely; he was missing his passengers.
When Henry got back to the Sheds, the Fat Controller was waiting for him. "You will be taking the Express again tomorrow," he said, proudly. "I have heard that you have done very well today. Keep up the good work."
"Yes, Sir," smiled Henry; he was very excited. Then, Henry saw Gordon; he was looking miserable. "My wish has made Gordon go to the Repair Yard," he gasped. This made Henry feel very bad. He didn't want to pull the Express anymore; he wanted to wish everything back to normal.
The next day, Henry collected the Express once more. When he arrived at the Forest, he had to stop at the water tank, but this time, there were no children…and he couldn't remember which tree was the Wishing Tree.
"Oh no!" cried Henry, "which one could it be?!" Henry didn't know…so he decided to wish on as many trees as he could. "I wish I could pull freight again," he puffed.
When his water tank was full, Henry puffed slowly away. "Come along, Henry," fussed his Driver, "we're going to be late."
"Sorry," puffed Henry and he went a little faster, but not too fast. I can make up for lost time when we're out of the Forest, he thought and as he moved along, he kept on wishing. "I wish I could pull freight again, I wish I could pull freight again."
Once they were out of the Forest, Henry raced as fast as he could and gave his passengers a rather bumpy ride, but he was happy when they arrived at their next Station on time. When Henry arrived back at Knapford Station, the Fat Controller was standing on the platform. "What happened, Henry?" he asked. "I hear you were going very slowly as you passed through the Forest today and then, went so fast that you bumped your coaches."
"I'm sorry, Sir," sighed Henry and he told the Fat Controller all about the Wishing Tree.
"I appreciate you trying to fix your mistakes," said the Fat Controller, "but Wishing Trees don't run railways; that's my job. Gordon just needed some repairs; he'll be back tomorrow." Henry was delighted.
The next day, Gordon came back to work; he looked as good as new. Henry was pleased to see him. "Hurray for Gordon!" he whistled. "Welcome back!" The passengers were pleased as well, and they began cheering too. Gordon beamed happily for the rest of the day.
At the end of the day, Henry stopped by the Wishing Tree to take on more water and the children were pleased to see him again and, even though the Fat Controller had told him trees don't run railways, Henry wished that his friend, Gordon, would be well for a very, very long time…just in case.