Stories of sodor

Looking out for the little guy

One chilly morning, Percy the small tank engine was at knapford station shunting a train of trucks for himself in the yard.
He had just finished putting the consist together when Henry the big green engine snorted into the station.

"Do watch out, little Percy."
He said.
"Wouldn't want to overwork yourself, now would you?"
Percy frowned.
"What are you on about?"
He sneered.

Henry rolled his eyes.
"Your trucks, Percy. There are quite a number of them. No offence, but you're only a little engine."
Percy was cross and blew steam at Henry.
"You wouldn't say that if I was Thomas."
He claimed.

"That"
Explained Henry.
"Is because Thomas knows how to handle heartier trains, and actually has some decent experience with trucks under his buffers."
Percy grew crosser and crosser still.

"I'm just as experienced as Thomas!"
Henry rolled his eyes.
"If you say so. But stay safe."
Henry puffed away without another word, leaving Percy quite ticked off.
"Just you wait and see."
He mumbled.

Later that day, Percy was puffing down the Ffarquahar branch with his goods train, when he came to a stop at Dryaw.
There he found Thomas with Annie and Clarabel going about their usual stopping service.

"Hello, Percy."
Peeped Thomas cheerily.
Percy grumbled in response, leaving Thomas rather puzzled.
"What's getting you down? Another backing signal?"
He quipped.

Percy snarled.
"That joke stopped being funny forever ago."
"Indeed."
Agreed Annie as her eyes focused on the green engine.
"What's wrong, dear?"

"Henry. That's what's wrong."
Percy yapped.
"He thinks I'm too incompetent to carry a few heavy trucks."
Thomas smacked his lips and rolled his eyes.
"Oh, Percy. He was probably just trying to help."

But Percy wasn't so sure.
"You're never on my side."
He grumped.
"Of course I am."
Opposed Thomas.
"I think you're a capable engine."

Percy raised an eyebrow.
"You do?"
"Of course."
Smiled the famous tank engine.
"Just stubborn."
Percy scoffed.
"I am not stubborn."

"Oh, the irony."
Chuckled Thomas.
"Cheer up."
He went on.
"You can try doing what I did and prove your worth to the big engines."
"How well did that work for you?"
Quizzed Percy.

Annie and Clarabel chimed in.
"Well, he nearly crashed with a train of trucks."
Said Annie
"And he once left his coaches behind."
Added Clarabel.

Thomas stammered.
"Yes yes that's true, but then I saved James and got my own branch line. Soo that's enough jokes from you two."
Percy chuckled.

The guard blew his whistle and Thomas soon departed, leaving Percy to ponder.
"*Maybe Thomas is right.*"
He thought to himself.
"*I should prove Henry wrong. Then he'll see how strong I really am.*"

The next morning, Thomas and Percy had received an order from Sir Topham Hatt. There was a hefty supply of stone that needed to be delivered to Knapford harbour, and it needed two engines for the job.

"Please, take it steady."
Advised the controller before driving away. Thomas groaned dreadfully, which put Percy in quite a mood.

"What's up with you?"
He asked.
"I've got boiler ache."
Sniffed Thomas wearily.
"When was the last time you received maintenance?"
Thomas thought for a moment.

"Goodness."
Gasped Percy.
"You don't even know, do you?"
"It doesn't matter."
Snorted Thomas.
"I can continue my work and I'll go in for maintenance after the job is done."