Whistles and Sneezes

S1 Ep. 20

Whistles And Sneezes

Summary: Gordon rants on about Henry being rebuilt and says he whistles too much. Henry becomes sad, but the tables turn when Gordon’s whistle suddenly whistles loudly and out of control. Henry has the last laugh, but the following day while pulling a passenger train, a group of boys throw stones at him from an overhead bridge, breaking his coaches windows. Henry passes the same bridge later that afternoon, this time sneezing at the naughty boys by blowing thick black smoke high above to them. Once again, Henry has the last laugh and goes home happy.

Script

Narrator: One day Gordon was cross.

Gordon: Why should Henry have a new shape? A shape good enough for me is good shape enough for him. He goes gallivanting off leaving us to do his work and comes back saying how happy he feels. It’s disgraceful. And there’s another thing, Henry whistles too much. No respectable engine ever whistles loudly at stations. It isn’t wrong but we just don’t do it.

Narrator: Poor Henry didn’t feel happy anymore.

Percy: Never mind.

Narrator: Whispered Percy.

Percy: I’m glad you’re home again. I like your whistling.

Gordon: Goodbye, Henry.

Narrator: Called Gordon.

Gordon: We’re glad to have you with us again. But remember what I said.

Narrator: Later Henry stopped at Edward Station.

Edward: Hello, Henry.

Narrator: Said Edward.

Edward: You look splendid. I was pleased to hear you’re happy whistle yesterday.

Henry: Thank you, Edward.

Narrator: Smiled Henry.

Henry: Shhhh! Do you hear something?

Edward: It sounds like Gordon. And it ought to be Gordon. But Gordon never whistles like that.

Narrator: It was Gordon. He came rushing down the hill at a tremendous rate. He didn’t look at Henry and he didn’t look at Edward. He screamed straight to Edward Station and disappeared.

Edward: Well.

Narrator: Said Edward.

Henry: It isn’t wrong. But we just don’t do it.

Narrator: And he told Edward what had Gordon had said. Meanwhile Gordon screeched along the line. The noise was awful. At the station everyone covered their ears. Sir Topham Hatt covered his ears too.

Sir Topham Hatt: Take him away! And stop that noise!

Narrator: Gordon puffed sadly away. But he wouldn’t stop whistling until two fitters climbed up and knocked his whistle valve in place.

(The awful whistle stops whistling)

Narrator: That night Gordon slunked into the shed. He was glad it was empty.

Henry: It isn’t wrong. But we just don’t do it.

Narrator: No one mentioned whistles. The next morning Henry was enjoying himself enormously.

Henry: I feel so well! I feel so well!

Narrator: He sang.

The coaches: Tickety Tock Tickety Tock.

Narrator: Hummed the coaches. Then he saw some boys on a bridge.

Henry: Peep. Peep. Hello!

Narrator: He whistled.

(The boys throw stones on Henry’s coaches)

Henry: Oh!

Narrator: He called. The boys didn’t wave and take his number they thought it fun to drop stones on him instead.

The coaches: They’ve broken our glass! They’ve broken our glass!

Narrator: Cried the coaches. The passengers weren’t hurt. But they were cross.

The passengers: Call the police!!

Henry’s driver: No!

Narrator: Said the driver.

Henry’s driver: Leave it to Henry!

The passengers: What would you do? Can you keep a secret? Yes! Yes!

Henry’s driver: Well then Henry is going to sneeze at those boys.

(Henry puffs on)

Narrator: Lots of people were waiting at the station just before the bridge. They wanted to see what would happen.

Henry’s driver: Henry has plenty of ashes. Please keep all windows shut till we’ve passed the bridge. Henry’s as excited as we are. Aren’t you old fellow?

Narrator: Henry felt more stuffed up than excited. Soon they can see the boys and they all had stones.

Henry’s driver: Are you ready Henry? Sneeze hard when I tell you… now!!

Henry: Aachoo!!

(The boys are covered in ashes)

Henry’s driver: Well done Henry!

Narrator: Laughed his driver. Henry went home hoping that the next he saw Gordon and the boys they would’ve learned not to be so mean…….