Cranky Gets a New Coat

Cranky Gets a New Coat is the fifth episode of the eighth season of Spike the Dragon and Friends, and the one hundred and eighty-seventh episode overall. It is a parody of the Thomas and Friends episode, James Gets a New Coat.

Characters

 * Spike as Thomas
 * Cranky Doodle Donkey as James
 * Pipsqueak as Percy
 * Hoity Toity as Sir Topham Hatt
 * Changelings as The Troublesome Trucks
 * Shining Armor as Edward (does not speak)
 * Big Macintosh as Gordon (does not speak)
 * Rarity as Emily (does not speak)
 * Filthy Rich as Henry (cameo)
 * Apple Bloom as Annie (cameo)
 * Sweetie Belle as Clarabel (cameo)
 * Gustave Le Grand as Cranky (cameo)

Transcript
Narrator: "All Hoity Toity's animals like to look clean, bright and shiny. They love being washed down and having their body polished until it gleams.

Cranky was in the workshop being given some new fur. He was beside himself with joy. Cranky thought being given new fur meant he was special. The workmen polished for hour upon hour.

Then, with new fur shining, wig twinkling and blacking black, Cranky returned to the library."

Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Look! Aren't I a beautiful brown?"

Narrator: "He asked the others."

Cranky Doodle Donkey: "No wonder Hoity Toity thinks I'm special."

Narrator: "But Pipsqueak was worried. He wasn't being given new fur. And he wasn't all brown."

Pipsqueak: "Does this mean Hoity Toity doesn't think I'm special?"

Narrator: "He asked."

Spike: "Looking splendid is not the same as being really useful."

Narrator: "Said Spike firmly."

Cranky Doodle Donkey: "But best of all is being really useful and looking splendid, like me."

Narrator: "Said Cranky cheerfully. Before Spike could say anything else, Cranky closed his eyes and fell happily asleep.

The next morning, all the animals were very busy. Pipsqueak was working at the coal plant. Spike and Rarity were taking passengers up and down the the branch route. Big Macintosh was pulling the express.

Hoity Toity came to see Cranky. He told him to join Pipsqueak at the coal plant at once."

Hoity Toity: "The coal changelings must reach Ponyville Docks before the boat sails. So no dillydallying."

Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Yes, sir."

Narrator: "Said Cranky. And he set off at once.

But Cranky didn't go straight to the coal plant. He decided to go by the canal instead. Then he could see himself in the water for yard after yard after yard."

Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Magnificent!"

Narrator: "He puffed. Cranky had forgotten what Hoity Toity had said.

At the coal yard, Pipsqueak was working as hard has he could. But he was falling behind. The line of changelings was getting longer and longer, and the yard manager was getting crosser and crosser. Where could Cranky be?

Cranky was still enjoying himself. But there was no one around the share his fun, so he headed for the train station.

But as Cranky arrived at the station, Big Mac and the express buffaloes were leaving. The passengers had gone."

Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Bother!"

Narrator: "Said Cranky. He was disappointed. And he left the station.

Cranky headed straight for the branch route. Cranky say Spike."

Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Look at me!"

Narrator: "He puffed."

Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Don't I look fine?"

Spike: "You should be at work."

Narrator: "Called Spike. But Cranky didn't listen to Spike.

Cranky was enjoying being Cranky.

But Pipsqueak wasn't enjoying being Pipsqueak. He was trying his hardest, but the changelings were being very naughty."

Changelings: (Laugh)

Narrator: "Poor Pipsqueak was almost worn out."

Yard Manager: "What will happen to the order now?"

Narrator: "Cried the yard manager.

When Cranky rolled into the coal plant, it was late in the afternoon. Pipsqueak was cross. So was the yard manager."

Yard Manager: "Too make up for lost time,"

Narrator: "He said."

Yard Manager: "You must take an extra long line of changelings to the docks."

Narrator: "Cranky was delighted. The docks were always bustling with animals and people."

Cranky Doodle Donkey: "It's the place to be seen."

Narrator: "He said."

Pipsqueak: "The changelings are being very naughty."

Narrator: "Warned Pipsqueak, but Cranky still wasn't listening.

Cranky puffed along, looking forward to being seen, but the changelings were naughtier than ever. They rocked and rolled and crashed and bashed. Cranky's face was soon covered in soot.

Going downhill, the changelings wiggled and giggled. Cranky had to stop with a jolt. Coal tumbled from the changelings, landing on Cranky. Cranky was cross and biffed the changelings as hard as he could. More coal flew out!

Now Cranky didn't want to be seen. He was as dirty as he had ever been. But on his way to the docks, he kept passing his friends. He passed Rarity,

and Shining Armor,

and Spike. Spike thought the only red thing on Cranky was his face.

Cranky trundled into the docks. He hoped no one would see him. But Big Mac was at the docks with the express buffaloes. He could not believe his eyes. He thought Cranky was the grubbiest, grimiest, dustiest, dirtiest donkey he had ever seen.

Pipsqueak arrived safely with the last of the changelings."

Pipsqueak: "I like your new fur."

Narrator: "He puffed cheekily."

Pipsqueak: "He do look splendid."

Narrator: "Cranky knew he should have listened. He didn't feel splendid anymore. But for the first time all day, Cranky could hear clearly. He could hear the sound of the changelings giggling at him. And, despite feeling foolish, even Cranky had to smile."