The Fat Controller's Bedtime Story

The Fat Controller's Bedtime Story is a segment in the UK Thomas and Friends magazines. Since early 2012, bedtime stories have been published without titles. For the first couple of months, the section featured previously released stories, but starting from April 25th, 2012, new stories featuring newer characters were featured.

Issue 639
This bedtime story was first published on April 25th, 2012.

Plot
At the Sodor Search and Rescue Centre, Flynn is feeling very story for himself. He tells Thomas that there haven't been any fires for days and if he doesn't have anything to do, he worries that the Fat Controller will send him away. Thomas assures him that it's not his fault that he is not busy all the time and the important thing is that he is there when he is needed. This cheers Flynn up.

Then, a siren wails and Belle rolls up. The Fat Controller emerges on the Search and Rescue Centre's balcony and tell the engines that there is a fire at Farmer Trotter's Pig Farm. Belle volunteer to go and races off before Flynn can speak. He inquires at to what he can do, but no-one is there to hear him. Then, the siren wails again and the Fat Controller reappears. He calls over to Harold and tells the helicopter that there's a fire on a hillside near Bluff's Cove. Flynn tries to inquire again, but everyone has gone again. Now Flynn is even more upset; there had been two fires in one day and he was still not needed!

Then, Bash and Dash came rushing up. They tell Flynn that there is a forest fire on Misty Island and that all the Jobi Wood will be lost if it is not stopped. Flynn thinks he should tell the Fat Controller, but Bash and Dash tell him there's not time. Flynn races through the Misty Island Tunnel and soon reaches the fire. He cannot put the fire out by himself, but he does manage to keep the fire at bay. After a while, he starts to get tired and his tanks start to run dry.

Then, Harold appears overhead with a big tank of water which he dumps on the fire. Behind Flynn, Belle appears as well. She adds her two powerful jets to the fire and soon the fire is out. The Fat Controller arrives on Thomas just in time to see the last swirls of black smoke raise into the sky. Bash and Dash tell the Fat Controller that Flynn has managed to keep the fire under control single-handedly. The Fat Controller tells him that he is a really useful engine and Flynn blushes with pride.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Bash and Dash
 * Flynn
 * Belle
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Harold (does not speak)