Free Percy's Chocolate Crunch and Other Thomas the Tank Engine Stories by Rev. W. Awdry Page A

diesel.”

     
    “You’re a quarry diesel now,” Mavis said. And she explained that they had to complete an important job for Sir Topham Hatt.

     
    Salty was sad that he wouldn’t be working by the sea. But he knew what it meant to be a Really Useful Engine. And he set to work at once.

     
    “Ah, well,” Salty said. “At least there be trucks.”
    “You’d better mind them,” Mavis said. “They can be a bother.”
    “He won’t last five minutes,” said Bill.
    “Those trucks will trip him up soon enough,” said Ben.

     
    But to Bill and Ben’s surprise, the trucks seemed to give Salty no trouble at all.
    “Yo ho ho and a bucket of prawns.
    The tiller spins and the captain yawns.
    Yo ho ho and a bucket of prawns. The tiller spins
—” sang Salty.

     
    “—
And the captain yawns
,” sang the trucks.
    Thanks to Salty, Sir Topham Hatt’s important job was almost done.
    Bill and Ben were surprised … and a little jealous.

     
    “Here comes Mister Show-off,” groused Ben.
    “You have to admit he’s got a knack with those trucks,” said Mavis.

     
    “Driver says he’ll bore the bolts off us with his stories,” huffed Bill.
    But Salty didn’t say a word. He didn’t come near the shed.

     
    Mavis was worried. She rolled alongside and asked him what he was doing on his own.
    “Oh, I thought I might catch a bit of sea breeze.”
    “You really
do
miss the sea, don’t you?” asked Mavis.

     
    “Aye,” said Salty, “I do.” But Salty knew the quarry work was important.

     
    The next day, he tried to show Bill and Ben his secret with the trucks. “I like working to a musical rhythm,” he said. “And so do the trucks. Why don’t you give it a try, me hearties?”
    “Here we go, here we go, here we go.”
    “No we don’t, no we don’t, no we don’t, don’t, don’t.”
    But try as they might, Bill and Ben could not move the trucks the way Salty could.

     
    Later that day, Sir Topham Hatt came to the quarry. He was surprised to see the job had been completed. “Well done,” said Sir Topham Hatt.

     
    “It was Salty,” said Mavis. “We couldn’t have done it without him.”
    “Then I’ve got a bigger job for you, Salty.”

     
    “Aye, aye, sir. What kind of a quarry is it?”
    “Quarry?” said Sir Topham Hatt. “I’m sending you to Brendam Docks!”

     
    “The
docks
?!” Salty exclaimed. “The docks are hard by the sea! Oh, thank you, sir!” he said. “This reminds me of a time in Bimini ….” And Salty was telling stories again.

     
    Salty loves Brendam Docks. He gets more work done than any
three
engines and feels Really Useful. And only the trucks know his secret.
    “Yo ho ho and a bucket of prawns.
    The tiller spins and the captain yawns.”

A BAD DAY FOR HAROLD THE HELICOPTER
    Harold the Helicopter loves flying.
    Up in the bright blue sky, over the Island of Sodor, he looks out for anyone in distress.

     
    Sometimes he delivers the mail.
    This makes Percy very cross.
    “The mail run is done! Is there any more? I can deliver it for you in a jiff! That’s what friends are for.”

     
    “Delivering the mail is an engine’s job,” said Percy grumpily.
    Percy has many jobs, but carrying the mail is his favorite. It makes him feel Really Useful.

     
    The next morning, Percy was happily pulling the mail train. “Must be on time, must be on time,” he chuffed.
    But up ahead there was trouble with the signal box. It was broken. The signal engineers did not know how long it would take to fix.

     
    Percy had to stop. It’s not safe for engines to run without signals. But Percy was very upset. “I’m going to be late,” he cried, “and it’s not even my fault!”

     
    Sir Topham Hatt was in his office enjoying his toast and marmalade when he heard the news. “Percy is stuck at a broken signal? Then Harold must take the mail.”

     
    Poor Percy was still waiting. And still upset. The last time he was held up, the mail was given to Harold. “It