Percy and Spike were working in the coal mines.They felt lonely with only the troublesome trucks to tease them.

“Cheer up,Percy and Spike.“Said the yard manager.”Sir Tophom Hatt wants us to be here tomorrow and then.You’ll get a good rest at the sheds.“

“We’ll try our best.”Said Spike.But the next day,The trucks teased Percy and Spike even more.

“Percy.Spike.They’re so small.They’re no use to us at all.Around the yards,They’ll puff and blow.But on the hills,They’re way too slow.”They sang.

“Be quiet!”Scolded Percy.Later,Percy pulled the trucks up the hill and came back down to collect the last load.Not even the smiles of Cheeilee and Bertie can cheer them up.

“What’s the matter?”Bertie asked.

“Nothing exciting.Thats what.Its just coal,coal,coal and trucks,trucks,trucks.We’re bored,bored,bored.”Moaned Percy.

“Why can’t you just tak a few spins on the turntable.Engines like that.”Said Cheerilee.

“I think it’ll just make me dizzy.”Said Spike.

“Excitement is surprisment.It would be exciting if something surprising happens.Other wise,It wouldn’t be exciting.”Said Bertie as he and Cheerilee left.

“It would be surprising is something surprising happens.”Said Percy.”But,What?”Their answer came sooner than expected as they went back to the mines to get more coal trucks.They were still grumbling and there were more than before.

“Your so slow!We want another engine.So,we wouldn’t wait all night!”Grumbled a truck.

“All night!All night!You can puff and blow!But,On the hills,You’re still too slow!”Sang the rest.

“S-S-S-Slow yourself!”Scolded Percy.

“Temper temper.”Giggled the trucks.Percy and Spike ignored them as they pulled the trucks up the hill.The trucks were still grumbling.

“Too slow!More power!Here all night!Tomorrow,Too!”

“Be quiet!”Scolded Spike.Then,There was trouble.Percys coupling snapped!

“Surprise surprise!Catch us if you can!”They giggled.

“Oh no!”Cried Percy and Spike.The troublesome trucks raced down the hill and onto the main line.Percy rushed into the town.The station master told Spike and Percy.

“They’re heading for another hill.It will slow them down.But,They’ll slide back down right into the village.”

“We better do something and quick!”Cried Spike.

“Spike,Listen!i got an idea.”Said Percy as he told Spike his plan.Soon,The chase was on.Percy and Spike raced down the line where the trucks rolled on.

“Are you sure your crazy plan will work?”Spike asked.

“My crazy plans always work.All we gotta do if find those trucks.”Said Percy.Suddenly,They heard a bunch of laughter from the distance.”Thats probably them,Now!”And he was right the trucks to started to roll up the hill.As Percy and Spike started to climb the hill,They over took the trucks.Then,Screeched to a halt as the trucks rolled past.Spike quickly placed a wooden board on the tracks hoping it would stop the trucks.

“That should do it.”Said Spike.But,He was wrong.The trucks broke the board in two and they rolled back down the hill.

“So much for that.”Moaned Percy as he and Spike raced after them again.

“Now,What are we gonna do?”Spike asked.

“There’s only one thing we can do!”Said Percy.

“Oh!I know what you mean!”Said Spike as he climbed on side Percy’s boiler and stood still at the front.Percy started to go faster.Spike was trying to couple Percy to the trucks with chain.”Just a little bit more!”Percy raced faster.At last,Spike coupled the chain to the trucks.”Now!”Percy applied his brakes.But,It wasn’t enough.They were getting closer to the village.

“So much for a plan B.”Said Percy.

“So,Is there a plan C?”Spike asked.His answer came sooner than expected.The signalman changed the points.Percy and the trucks raced into a siding and crashed off the tracks.Coal dust flew everywhere.But,The village was safe.Bertie and Cheerilee arrived at the scene of rescue.

“A chase sounds surprisingly.Dont you think?”Bertie asked.