Percy's Predicament (magazine story)

"My engines must work hard. I send lazy engines away."

- The Fat Controller

Percy's Predicament is a magazine story.

Plot
One day Percy grumbles about as he works hard shunting in the station, when Toby arrives. Percy tells his friend that he have nothing else to do other than to take the Milk tank where Daisy has left, and Toby decides to switch places as he will take the Milk and Percy will fetch his trucks for him. The drivers and the stationmaster agreed with the idea, and Percy puffs off happily to the quarry where he begins ordering the trucks about as he shunts them into place. The trucks gets fed up of having Percy around and decides to pay him out - without him knowing.

Percy thinks the trucks were under control as he puffs along, until they come to the notice which reads "ALL TRAINS STOP TO PIN DOWN BRAKES." which prompts him to slow down. However the trucks surge forward and pushing him along, going much too fast for him to stop! Even for the man tries to warn traffic with a red flag, but is too late to send Percy to a runaway siding. Soon Percy slide into the yard, while whistling for warning - until the runaway ends when he crashes into some trucks!

Although his crew jumped clear and unharmed, Percy was stranded as he remains on his perch of trucks. The following day Toby and Daisy helps clearing the wreckage, and the Fat Controller severely tells Percy off that Toby and Daisy must do his work as well as their own. He also tells him that he can stay on the trucks until they were ready to rescue, hoping that it will teach him to be careful with the Troublesome Trucks. Percy understands his "awkward predicaments".

Soon the Fat Controller speaks to Daisy severely that he must send lazy engines away, thus making her feels ashamed. But he also tells her that Toby says that she has worked hard after Percy's accident, and gives her a second chance - now making her happier than ever. She promises that she will work hard, and Toby will also help her. The following day after, Thomas comes back and Percy is sent to be mended. They were now friends and Toby has taught Daisy a great deal as she often takes the milk for Thomas, and when Toby is busy, she takes Henrietta too.

Characters

 * Percy
 * Toby
 * Daisy
 * The Fat Controller
 * Thomas (mentioned)
 * Henrietta (mentioned)

Trivia

 * This story is based on the second season episode of the same name.