| This article is about the magazine story. You may be looking for the episode. |
- "Wahoo! Thanks, friends!"
- ― Thomas to the monkeys
Thomas and the Monkey Palace is a magazine story, illustrated using images from the television series. It was reprinted in 2024 as part of the "Classic Thomas Story Collection" series, with slight alterations to the images and text.
Plot[]
It is a hot day on the Indian Railway and Thomas has been sent to collect more coconuts for the passengers to drink. On his way, Thomas spots a sign with a monkey painted on it. At the shunting yard, Thomas asks Rajiv about the sign and the Indian engine tells him it's for the monkey palace and warns Thomas not to go near it.
Thomas is too curious and, after collecting the coconuts, he decides to go and have a look at the monkey palace. The palace is beautiful, but while the tank engine is admiring it, monkeys suddenly swarm all around him. One little monkey even hops aboard Thomas' truck of coconuts. Thomas leaves the palace and has not gone far when he has to stop suddenly. The monkey that had climbed into his truck clambers on top of him. Stopping so suddenly causes the coconuts to fall out of Thomas' truck, but Thomas doesn't realise. Thomas thinks the monkey wants to play with him, but Thomas tells him that he has coconuts to deliver and puffs away.
It isn't until Thomas reaches the station that he realises all the coconuts are gone. On his way back to the yard, Thomas spots the monkey sitting with the spilled coconuts. Thomas is annoyed, but then he realises that the little monkey is lost and needs help to find his way back home. The monkey is very happy to accept Thomas' offer of help and climbs back onto Thomas.
Back at the monkey palace, the other monkeys are delighted to be reunited with their friend again. Just as Thomas is about to depart, the monkeys jump up and down and start pointing upwards. Then, Thomas watches as the monkeys begin to climb the surrounding trees. They shake each tree, causing coconuts to fall into Thomas' empty truck. Thomas is overjoyed; with his truck full again, Thomas can now head back to the station and finish his important job.
Characters[]
Trivia[]
- This story is based on the twenty-second series episode of the same name.
- Unlike the episode:
- Rajiv is not seen.
- The Grey Tender Engine and Charubala do not appear, nor are they mentioned.
Goofs[]
- Throughout the story, Thomas is said to be pulling a truck until he heads back to the station at the end of the story when his trucks are said to be full.
Gallery[]
