Thomas the Tank Engine's Counting Story


 * It was a bright new week and Thomas and his driver were calling at the Hatts mansion.
 * (Thomas' driver walks through the front door)
 * Thomas' driver: Good morning.
 * Stephen Hatt (offscreen): I can't, I cant!
 * Narrator: Was the first thing he heard. It was young Stephen Hatt's voice, and it sounded rather cross.
 * Thomas' fireman: What's all this? What is it that Stephen can't do?
 * Sir Topham Hatt: Oh hello fireman. It's this counting business. We've managed our ABC, now it's our 1 to 20 that's the bother. Stephen's teacher says he must know all his numbers up to 20 before Easter. Quite right too I'd say. How will he ever be a farmer if he can't count.
 * Thomas' driver: Hmm. I see what you mean. I'd be sunk if I couldn't count.
 * Thomas' fireman: Same here. Now let's see, how can we help young Stephen.
 * Bridget Hatt: I know, I know. We can make another book. We'll make the pictures and then you guys can put the words in for us.
 * Thomas' driver: What a good idea.
 * Thomas' fireman: We'll bring a new notebook on Thursday.
 * Narrator: Thomas' crew didn't forget. They bought a new blue notebook first thing Thursday morning. The fireman wrote on big words on the front cover with his felt pen, 'One to Twenty with Thomas the Tank Engine'. At the top of the first page, the driver wrote the number 1. Then he drew a picture of Thomas next to it, and wrote, Sir Topham Hatt has one beautiful cat named Figaro, one lovely long nose, and one shiny top hat that he once dropped down Cyril the Fogman's well when he was a little boy. He left a space after each sentence, and Bridget and Stephen drew the pictures.
 * Stephen Hatt: Hurrah!
 * Thomas' driver: Well, we must be on our way.
 * Narrator: The driver and fireman gave Stephen and Bridget a sweet each before they left.
 * Thomas' fireman: Cheerio!
 * Narrator: The next day, Friday, Thomas' crew called again. And the fireman wrote in the blue notebook, the number two. The driver drew a picture of Edward, and wrote Sir Topham Hatt has two sharp eyes for reading the newspapers and two big feet that once fell over Figaro. He even added that Thomas has two coaches called Annie and Clarabel. Saturday was a little harder. It was time for three, Henry's number.
 * Thomas' driver: Now what did I see yesterday. Ah yes, I remember. Three naughty hens who tried to steal the fireman's sandwiches, three of Farmer McColl's sheep climbing over a wall and three quarry men going up a hill.