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Smudger the Free Engine

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Once, a long time ago, there were three little engines, who lived in their own little shed, on their own little railway. Of the three of them, Duke was the oldest and wisest, and he liked to keep the little engines in order. Duke also helped new engines and taught them what to do. Many engines came and went on the little railway, but Duke outlasted them all. One day, a big gray tank engine had arrived. Duke had told him to take some trucks to the slate mines. “Don't be late,” Duke had warned him, “That would never suit His Grace!” The engine just laughed, and puffed away with his trucks.

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Once, a long time ago, there were three little engines, who lived in their own little shed, on their own little railway. Of the three of them, Duke was the oldest and wisest, and he liked to keep the little engines in order. Duke also helped new engines and taught them what to do. Many engines came and went on the little railway, but Duke outlasted them all. One day, a big gray tank engine had arrived. Duke had told him to take some trucks to the slate mines. “Don't be late,” Duke had warned him, “That would never suit His Grace!” The engine just laughed, and puffed away with his trucks. After his hard work, he had stopped in a siding to rest. Next to him was a big shed. He could just barely see a green boiler and a long funnel. “It must be an engine,” he thought to himself. “Hullo!” he called to the shed, “Is there anybody in there?” “Are you one of the new engines?” came a voice. “I might be,” the engine said suspiciously, “My name is Fredrick.” “My name's Smudger. I used to work on this railway too.” “What happened?” asked Fredrick. “I came here several years ago,” said Smudger, “but I wasn't used to the line, and I had a bad attitude. On my first day, Duke warned me that this railway puts up with no nonsense, and that I needed to be on my best behavior. “'I'll be fine!,' I insisted, 'I can handle myself!' But that was easier said than done, as I soon found out. I often rode too roughly down the line, and often derailed. Duke got really tired of me constantly coming off. “One day, I myself had finally got tired of his nagging. “Listen, Dukie,' I said to him, 'Who worries about a few spills?' “'We do here,' he said, but I just laughed.” “Why did you laugh?” asked Fredrick. “I don't remember anymore,” Smudger said sadly, “I must have found it funny, or else I laughed to hide my own shame.” Smudger coughed, and then he continued. “Then one day, manager took away my wheels, and told me he was going to make me 'useful at last'.” “So what do you do now?” “He made me into a pumping engine, to pump water out of a mine for some town. Then I broke down, and I was moved here behind the shed. Driver says all I need is a good pair of wheels, and I'll be running as good as new.” Smudger sighed sadly. “It would be so nice,” he said thoughtfully, “if I could go out and see the world again.” “Well,” Fredrick said with a grin, “if it's freedom you want, you should leave as quickly as possible.” “Why is that?” asked Smudger. “This railway's on the verge of closing,” said Fredrick, “Mines and routes are slowly going away. I'd say in a good year or two, the engines will be up for sale.” Smudger gulped. “Then what should I do?” he asked. “There's an important man coming to visit tomorrow,” said Fredrick, “representing a far-away railway. He's looking for engines ready to work as soon as possible.” “How far away?” asked Smudger. “Far enough that you won't see me again!” laughed Fredrick, “On the other side of the world, it seems! Driver says that tomorrow's his last day on Sodor, so if you want to get a new home, you'd better make sure to grab his attention.” “I'll try,” said Smudger, growing excited, “Thank you, Fredrick.” “Please,” replied Fredrick, “My friends call me Freddie.” And with that, Freddie chuffed off back to work.