Henry and the Elephant

HENRY AND THE ELEPHANT

Transcript


Narrator: Thomas the Tank Engine puffed happily along his branch line with Annie and Clarabel. Sir Topham Hatt was waiting on the platform. He looked at his watch.

Sir Topham Hatt: Well done, Thomas. You're right on time and really reliable.

Thomas: Thank you, Sir.

Narrator: Whistled Thomas.

Annie and Clarabel: Ooh, right on time and really reliable.

Narrator: Hummed the coaches. But the big engines were not feeling cheerful at all.

Henry: Where's Percy?

Narrator: Mumbled Henry.

Henry: He suppose to fetch our coaches.

James: We get no rest.

Narrator: Complained James. He edged angrily onto the turntable and spoke rudely to Henry.

James: What's the matter, Henry? There's no rain today. Stop worrying and do some work instead.

Henry: I'm not afraid of getting wet anymore.

Narrator: Huffed Henry.

Henry: Anyway, you looked silly enough to be a clown, you should be in the circus.

Percy: Oh.

Narrator: Whistled Percy.

Percy: So you heard the news?

Gordon: What news?

Narrator: Grunted Gordon.

Percy: About the circus.

James: Percy, what are you talking about?

Percy: The circus has arrived.

Narrator: Explained Percy.

Percy: I've been shunting special cars. Sir Topham Hatt needs your help too.

Narrator: The engines soon forgot to be tired and cross. Until it was time for the circus to leave. Then Gordon and Henry were cross all over again when James got to pull the train away. A little later, Sir Topham Hatt returned.

Sir Topham Hatt: Come along, Henry. A tunnel has blocked down the line. You must take some workmen to investigate.

Henry: Pushing cars, pushing cars.

Narrator: Grumbled Henry. They stopped outside the tunnel. The workmen went inside. It was very dark and quiet. But not for long. (Elephant trumpeting)

Workmen: Help!

Narrator: Shouted the workmen and they ran out.

Workman: We started to dig at the block but it grunted and moved.

Narrator: One said.

Foreman: Rubbish!

Narrator: Said the foreman.

Workman: It's not rubbish. It's big and alive. We're not going in there again.

Foreman: Right.

Narrator: Said the foreman.

Foreman: I'll ride in the cars and Henry shall push it out.

Henry: Weesh!

Narrator: Said Henry unhappily. He had been shut in the tunnel for being afraid of the rain but this was worse. Something big and alive was inside.

Henry: Peep! Peep! I don't want to go in.

Driver: Neither do I.

Narrator: Said his driver.

Driver: But we must clear the line.

Henry: Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

Narrator: Huffed Henry. Then there was trouble. The block was indeed alive and very strong it began to push the train backwards. Out of the tunnel came Henry, then the cars and last of all a large cross elephant.

(Elephant trumpeting)

Foreman: Well I never!

Narrator: Cried the foreman. The workmen gave him some cake.

(Elephant trumpeting)

Narrator: He drank three buckets of water and it was just about to drink another when Henry let off steam (Elephant trumpeting)

Narrator: Cried the elephant. Water went all over Henry. Poor Henry! The elephant and his keeper was so reunited, but Henry was most upset.

Henry: An elephant pushed me! An elephant hoosed me!

Narrator: That night, he told the other engines all about it. Gordon and James felt sorry for Henry, but still teased him.

Gordon: First the rain, then an elephant. Whatever will you be afraid of next?

Thomas: Never mind, Henry.

Narrator: Murmured Thomas.

Thomas: I think you are brave today, and really reliable too.