Once Upon a Steam Train

Once Upon a Steam Train

Once upon a Steam Train, there was an Engine Driver who was poor but honest. 

He was very proud of his train and oiled the wheels to make it go faster.  He shoveled coal into the furnace.  This made the train go faster too.  His train went so fast that everyone wanted to travel on it and he was very happy.  His train became famous throughout the land. 

One day the Prince heard about it and decided to go for a ride.

Instead of riding in a carriage like everyone else he said "Let me travel in the engine so I can see what you do to make it go so fast."

"All right your Majesty" said the Engine Driver, "you can travel on the engine with me".

But as soon as the Prince climbed up onto the engine he said rudely, "We cannot have that dirty coal truck right behind us, it will spoil our clothes.  Put it at the back of the train at once"

And of course, that's what they did, because the poor but honest Engine Driver was far too polite to say no to the Prince, even though he was a rather rude Prince.

Off they went, going faster and faster at first but then slower and slower and slower.  The little steam engine needed more coal. 

"Please pass the coal" said the passengers in the first carriage to the passengers in the second carriage.

"Please pass the coal" said the passengers in the second carriage to the Guard in the Guard's Van.

The Guard carefully chose the best lump of coal and wrapped it in a piece of newspaper to stop it making everyone dirty.

"With the compliments of the Guard" he said giving it to the

passengers in the second carriage. 

"With the compliments of the Guard" said the passengers in the second carriage giving it to the passengers in the first carriage. 

"With the compliments of the Guard", said the passengers in the first carriage, giving it to the Engine Driver. 

"Thank you" said the Engine Driver, "you are so kind", and he popped the piece of coal into the furnace. 

But it was too late.  The fire was out and the train stopped.

The Prince was very angry,

"This is certainly not the fastest train in the land, it is the slowest. I shall never travel on it again". 

And he walked all the way home.

The Engine Driver was happy to see him go because he was so rude.

The passengers were happy to see him go because they had to talk politely in front of the Prince.

The Guard was happy to see him go because he got his fingers dirty on the coal.

So, as soon as the Prince was out of sight they put the coal truck behind the engine again.

The Engine Driver lit the furnace and away they went as fast as ever. .

And every time the Prince heard someone say what a fast train it was, he would say "Pah!  I have been on that train.  It's not fast at all". 

Everyone would smile to themselves because they knew what really happened.

And we know too, don’t we?