Early the next morning in the cold light of dawn, Thomas, and his friends waited for Spencer. They could see a streak of silver engine puffing towards them. It was Spencer. Thomas felt worried.
Thomas: I can't do this, Percy.
Percy: Yes, you can, Thomas. You always tell us we can do whatever we want to. So can you.
The tracks were cleared for Spencer and Thomas and both engines were coupled up to their heavy loads. Edward puff forward.
Edward: You will each take different tracks round the island. You may only stop for coal and water.
Then, Edward whistled, long and hard. The contest has begun. Spencer and Thomas pumped their pistons. Thomas puff off with a heave and a huff.
Thomas: I can do it. I'II puff for longer. I'II show Spencer I really am stronger.
Spencer smiled as he slid away.
Spencer: I'II show Thomas who's strong and who's weak. He'll puff home with a squeak and a creak.
The other engines watched and worried. Then they blew their whistles long and strong.
All: Good luck, Thomas!
Thomas and Spencer puff around the island. They clickity-clack along the tracks. They whooshed through woods and they huffed up hills. Spencer steamed and smiled. He raced and he roared. Thomas puffed and huffed. He heaved and he hauled.
Spencer: Silly little engine. When will he learn?
Thomas: You can do whatever you want to and I want to win.
Thomas was huffing up a steep slope. He was puffing and panting and his axles ached. At last he reached the top.
Thomas: Hooray! I did it!
[Thomas clanked]
Then there was trouble. There was a clank and a prang. Thomas gasped.
Thomas: (gasps) Cinders and ashes! I've broken my brakes!
Thomas' wheels started to whir and to wobble. He flew faster and faster down the hill.
Thomas: Oh, no! Oh, help!
Thomas raced down one hill and rattled up the next.
Thomas: Help! I can't stop!
Thomas' heavy trucks pushed him on and on, through a junction where Spencer was waiting.
Thomas: Whoa!
Spencer: Blistering Boilers!
And into some potato cars. Potatoes bounced everywhere. But Thomas sped on, into a flatbed of jelly barrels. Sticky jelly flew in the air and landed all over Thomas. But still, he went on and found himself rolling along an old rickety track.
[Thomas whistles]
Ahead, Thomas could see a thick wall of bushes.
Thomas: Fenders and funnels! How can I stop?!
With a scrunch and a crunch, Thomas crashed into the bushes and came to a stop.
Thomas: Flaming fireboxes! That was scary.
YOU ARE READING
Henry & Pollyanna
AventureOne Day, Pollyanna Met Henry, She Released Him Henry Decided To Befriend With Pollyanna Their Friendship Is Begun What Will Happen Next? Find Out
