A Big Day for Spike (with Ringo Starr)

A Big Day for Spike
Narrator: "Spike the Dragon was grumbling to the other animals."

Spike: "I spend my time pulling buffaloes about, ready for you to take out on journeys."

Narrator: "The other animals laughed."

Spike: "Why can't I take passengers, too?"

Chief Thunderhooves: "You're too impatient."

Narrator: "They said."

Chief Thunderhooves: "You'd be sure to leave something behind."

Spike: "Rubbish!"

Narrator: "Said Spike."

Spike: "I'll show you."

Narrator: "One night, he and Big Macintosh were alone. Big Mac was ill. The men worked hard, but he didn't get better.

He felt just as bad next morning. Big Mac usually took the first passengers, and Spike had to get his buffaloes ready."

Spike: "If Big Macintosh is ill,"

Narrator: "He thought."

Spike: Perhaps I shall take his buffaloes."

Narrator: "Spike ran to find the buffaloes."

Spike: "Come along, come along!"

Narrator: "He fussed."

Buffaloes: "There's plenty of time, there's plenty of time."

Narrator: "They grumbled.

Spike took them to the platform, and wanted to run around in front at once.

But his driver wouldn't let him."

Spike's Driver: "Don't be impatient, Spike!"

Narrator: "Spike waited and waited.

People got on board, the conductor and stationmaster walked up and down, the porter secured the buffaloes, and still, Big Macintosh didn't come. Spike got more and more excited.

Hoity Toity came to see what was the matter, and the conductor and the stationmaster told him about Big Mac."

Hoity Toity: "Find another animal."

Narrator: "He ordered."

Conductor and Stationmaster: "There's only Spike."

Narrator: "They said."

Hoity Toity: "You'll have to do it then, Spike. Be quick now."

Narrator: "So Spike ran round to the front and back down on the buffaloes ready to start."

Spike's Driver: "Let's not be impatient, Spike."

Narrator: "Said his driver."

Spike's Driver: "We'll wait till' everything is ready."

Narrator: "But Spike was too excited to listen.

What happened then, nobody knows. Perhaps the first buffaloe forgot to grab Spike, or perhaps Spike was given the signal by mistake. Anyhow, Spike started without his buffaloes. As they passed the first signal tower, men waved and shouted, but he didn't stop."

Spike: "They're waving because I'm such a splendid dragon.

Narrator: "He thought importantly."

Spike: "Big Macintosh says it's hard to pull buffaloes, but I think it's easy.

Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

Narrator: "He puffed, pretending to be like Chief Thunderhooves."

Spike: "People have never seen me taking passengers before. It's nice of them to wave."

Narrator: "And he whistled."

Spike: "Thank you."

Narrator: "Then he came to a signal at 'Danger'."

Spike: "Bother!"

Narrator: "He said."

Spike: "I must stop, and I was going so nicely, too! What a nuisance signals are."

Narrator: "He blew an angry whistle.

The signalman ran up."

Signalman: "Hello, Spike."

Narrator: "He said."

Signalman: "What are you doing here?"

Spike: "I'm pulling buffaloes."

Narrator: "Said Spike."

Spike: "Can't you see?"

Signalman: "Where are your buffaloes, then?"

Narrator: "Spike looked back."

Spike: "Why, bless me!"

Narrator: "He said."

Spike: "If we haven't left them behind!"

Signalman: "Yes."

Narrator: "Said the signalman."

Signalman: "You'd better go back quickly and fetch them."

Narrator: "Poor Spike was so sad, he nearly cried.

Spike's Driver: "Cheer up."

Narrator: "Said his driver."

Spike's Driver: "Let's go back quickly and try again."

Narrator: "At the station, all the passengers were talking at once. They were telling Hoity Toity what a bad place Ponyland was. But when Spike came back, they saw how sad he was, and couldn't be cross.

He held on to the buffaloes, and this time he really pulled them.

Afterwards, the other animals laughed at Spike and said,"

Big Macintosh and Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Look, there's Spike, who wanted to take some passengers, but forgot about the buffaloes!"

Narrator: "But Spike had already learned not to make the same mistake again."

Pipsqueak Runs Away
Narrator: "Big Macintosh, Cranky and Chief Thunderhooves were miserable. They had been shut up for several day for being naughty, and long to be let out again.

At last, Hoity Toity arrived."

Hoity Toity: "I hope you are sorry."

Narrator: "He said."

Hoity Toity: "And that you understand that every job in the town is important. We have a new filly called Pipsqueak, who helps pull buffaloes, and Spike and Shining Armor have worked the main path nicely. But I will let you out now if you promise to work hard."

Big Macintosh, Chief Thunderhooves and Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Yes, sir."

Narrator: "Said the three animals."

Big Macintosh, Chief Thunderhooves and Cranky Doodle Donkey: "We will."

Hoity Toity: "That's right, but please remember that this no arrange nonsense must stop."

Narrator: "He then told Pipsqueak, Shining Armor and Spike that they can go and play on the branch path for a few days. And they ran off happily to find Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle at the junction.

The two fillies were very pleased to see Spike again.

Shining Armor and Pipsqueak played with the changelings."

Changelings: "Stop, stop, stop!"

Narrator: "Screamed the changelings, as they were pushed into their proper sidings, but the two ponies laughed and went on arranging till the changelings were tightly arranged.

Next, Shining Armor took some empty changelings to the quarry. Pipsqueak was left alone. He didn't mind that a bit. He liked watching animals and being cheeky to them."

Pipsqueak: "Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

Narrator: "He would call, and they got very cross.

After a great deal of arranging, Pipsqueak was waiting for the signalman to set the path so that he can get back to the yard. He was eager, but was being rather careless and not paying attention. Shining Armor had warned Pipsqueak."

Shining Armor: "Be careful on the main path. Whistle to the signalman you are there."

Narrator: "But Pipsqueak didn't remember to whistle, so the busy signalman forgot him.

Pipsqueak waited and waited. The path was still against him so he couldn't move. Then he looked along the main path."

Pipsqueak: "Peep, peep!"

Narrator: "He whistled in horror, for rushing straight towards him was Chief Thunderhooves with the express."

Chief Thunderhooves: "Ohhh!"

Narrator: "Groaned Chief Thunderhooves."

Chief Thunderhooves: "Get out of my way!"

Narrator: "Pipsqueak opened his eyes. Chief Thunderhooves had stopped just a few inches from him. But Pipsqueak had began to move."

Pipsqueak: "I won't stay here. I'll run away!"

Narrator: "He puffed.

He ran straight through Shining Armor's station, and was so frightened that he ran right up Chief Thunderhooves' hill without stopping.

After that, he was tired, but he couldn't stop. He had no driver to stop him."

Pipsqueak: "I want to stop, I want to stop."

Narrator: "He puffed.

The man in the signalbox saw that Pipsqueak was in trouble. So he kindly set the path. Pipsqueak puffed wearily onto a nice empty siding, ending in a big bank of earth. He was too tired now to care where he want."

Pipsqueak: "I want to stop, I want to stop. I have stopped."

Narrator: "He puffed thankfully."

Workmen: "Never mind, Pipsqueak."

Narrator: "Said the workmen, as they dug him out."

Workmen: "You shall have a drink and a snack, and then you'll feel better."

Narrator: "Presently, Chief Thunderhooves arrived."

Chief Thunderhooves: "Well done, Pipsqueak. You started so quickly that you stopped a nasty accident."

Pipsqueak: "I'm sorry I was cheeky."

Narrator: "Said Pipsqueak."

Pipsqueak: "You were clever to stop."

Narrator: "Then Chief Thunderhooves helped pull Pipsqueak out from the bank.

The two animals are now good friends, but Pipsqueak is always most careful when he goes out on the main path."

Spike Breaks the Rules
Narrator: "There's a path to a quarry at the end of Spike's route. It goes for some distance along the road. Spike was very careful to whistle here in case anyone was coming.

Early one morning, a large policeman was standing close to the path. Spike liked policemen. He had been a great friend of the officer who had just retired."

Spike: "Peep, peep!"

Narrator: "He whistled."

Spike: "Good morning!"

Narrator: "Spike expected the new officer would be friendly too, but was sorry to see that he didn't looked friendly at all. He was red in the face and very cross."

Policeman: "Disgraceful!"

Narrator: "He spluttered."

Policeman: "I didn't sleep a wink last night. It was so quietly, and now dragons come whistling suddenly behind me."

Spike: "I'm sorry, sir."

Narrator: "Said Spike."

Spike: "I only said good morning."

Narrator: "The policeman pointed to Spike."

Policeman: "Where's your cow catcher?"

Narrator: "He asked."

Spike: "But I don't catch cows, sir."

Policeman: "Don't be funny!"

Narrator: "Snapped the policeman. He looked at Spike's chest."

Policeman: "No vest either!"

Narrator: "And he wrote in his notebook."

Policeman: "Animals going on public roads must wear a vest and have a lasso, but stop cows if they escape.

You haven't so you are dangerous!"

Spike's Driver: "Rubbish!"

Narrator: "Said Spike's driver."

Spike's Driver: "We've been along here hundreds of times and never had an accident."

Policeman: "That makes it worst!"

Narrator: "The policeman answered. He wrote 'Regular Law Breaker' in his book. Spike puffed sadly away.

Hoity Toity was having breakfast. He was eating toast and marmalade. The butler came in."

Butler: "Excuse me, sir. You are wanted on the telephone."

Hoity Toity: "Bother that telephone!"

Narrator: "Said Hoity Toity."

(Phone chattering)

Hoity Toity: "I'm sorry, my dear."

Narrator: "He said to Princess Celestia."

Hoity Toity: "Spike is in trouble with the police and I must go at once."

Narrator: "As the station, Spike's driver told Hoity Toity what had happened."

Hoity Toity: "Dangerous to the public indeed? We'll see about that."

Narrator: "Hoity Toity spoke to the policeman, but however much he argued with him, it was no good."

Policeman: "The law is the law!"

Narrator: "He said."

Policeman: "And we can't change it!"

Narrator: "Hoity Toity felt exhausted."

Hoity Toity: "I'm sorry, driver."

Narrator: "He said."

Hoity Toity: "It's no use arguing with policemen. We will have to make that vest thing for Spike I suppose."

Spike: "Everyone will laugh, sir."

Narrator: "Said Spike."

Spike: "They'll say I look like an earth pony."

Narrator: "Hoity Toity stared, then he laughed."

Hoity Toity: "Well done, Spike! Why didn't I think of it before? We want an earth pony. When I was on my holiday, I met a nice little earth pony called Braeburn. He takes changelings from the farms, but the trucks are taking over most of his work and he needs a change. He has a vest and a lasso. I'll write to his superintendent at once."

Narrator: "A few days later, Braeburn arrived."

Hoity Toity: "That's a good pony."

Narrator: "Said Hoity Toity."

Hoity Toity: "I see you brought your filly, Scootaloo."

Braeburn: "You don't mind, do you, sir?"

Narrator: "Asked Braeburn."

Braeburn: "The stationmaster wanted to use her as a hen house, and that would never do."

Hoity Toity: "No, indeed."

Narrator: "Said Hoity Toity."

Hoity Toity: "We couldn't allow that."

Narrator: "Braeburn made the silly changelings behave even better than Spike did."

(Braeburn rings his bell)

Policeman: "Oy you!"

Narrator: "At first, Spike was jealous. But he was so pleased when Braeburn ranged his bell and frightened the policeman, they've been firmed friends ever since."

Big Macintosh's Special Medicine
Narrator: "One morning, Big Macintosh was feeling very sorry for himself. Sometimes he could work, but sometimes he had no strength at all."

Big Macintosh: "I suffer dreadfully and no one cares."

Cranky Doodle Donkey: "Rubbish, Big Mac!"

Narrator: "Snorted Cranky."

Cranky Doodle Donkey: "You don't work hard enough!"

Narrator: "Hoity Toity spoke to him too."

Hoity Toity: "What's wrong with you, Big Mac? You've had lots of new parts and new fur too, but they've done you no good. If we can't make you better, we must get another horse instead of you to do the work."

Narrator: "This made Big Mac, his driver and his fireman very sad.

Hoity Toity was waiting when Big Mac came to the platform. He had taken off his coat and put on overalls.

Big Mac managed to start, but his fireman was not satisfied."

Big Macintosh's Fireman: "Big Mac is a bad puller."

Narrator: "He said to Hoity Toity."

Big Macintosh's Fireman: "I gave him his food, but it doesn't give enough strength."

Narrator: "Big Macintosh tried very hard, but it was no good. He didn't have enough strength, and came to a stop right outside Shining Armor's station."

Big Macintosh: "Oh dear!"

Narrator: "Thought Big Mac."

Big Macintosh: "I shall have to go away. Oh dear, oh dear!"

Narrator: "All he could do was move slowly into a corner and Shining Armor took charge of the buffaloes.

Hoity Toity and the fireman went on discussing Big Mac's troubles."

Hoity Toity: "What do you think is wrong, fireman?"

Narrator: "Asked Hoity Toity."

Big Macintosh's Fireman: "Excuse me, sir."

Narrator: "He said."

Big Macintosh's Fireman: "But the fact is the medicine is wrong. We've had a poor lot lately, and today it's worst. The other animals can manage. They have big stomachs. Big Mac's is small and can't make the strength. With Welsh medicine, he'd be a different horse."

Hoity Toity: "It's expensive."

Narrator: "Said Hoity Toity."

Hoity Toity: "But Big Mac must have a fair chance. Cranky shall go and fetch some."

Narrator: "When the Welsh medicine arrived, Big Mac's driver and fireman were excited."

Big Macintosh's Driver: "Now we'll show them, Big Mac old fellow!"

Narrator: "They carefully gave him his medicine giving him small bits at a time."

Big Macintosh: "You're spoiling my body!"

Narrator: "Moaned Big Mac."

Big Macintosh's Fireman: "Wait and see."

Narrator: "Said the fireman."

Big Macintosh's Fireman: "You'll have a roaring body just when we want it."

Narrator: "The fireman was right. When Big Macintosh reached the platform, his body was good and healthy, and he had to cheer out loud."

Hoity Toity: "How are you, Big Mac."

Big Macintosh: "Peep, peep!"

Narrator: "Whistled Big Mac."

Big Macintosh: "I feel fine!"

Hoity Toity: "Have you a good body, driver?"

Big Macintosh: "Never better, sir, and plenty of strength."

Hoity Toity: "No record breaking."

Narrator: "Warned Hoity Toity."

Hoity Toity: "Don't push him too hard."

Big Macintosh's Driver: "Big Mac won't need pushing, sir. I'll have to hold him back."

Narrator: "Big Mac had a lovely day. He had never felt so well in his life. He wanted to go fast, but his driver wouldn't let him."

Big Macintosh's Driver: "Steady, old fellow."

Narrator: "He would say."

Big Macintosh's Driver: "There's plenty of time."

Narrator: "They arrived early at the station. Spike came in."

Big Macintosh: "Where have you been, lazybones?"

Narrator: "Asked Big Mac."

Big Macintosh: "Oh, I can't wait for dawdling dragons, like you. Goodbye!"

Spike: "Whoosh!"

Narrator: "Said Spike to the fillies."

Spike: "Have you ever seen anything like it?"

Narrator: "Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle agreed that they never had."

The Flying Kipper
Narrator: "One winter evening, Big Macintosh's driver said."

Big Macintosh's Driver: "We'll be out early tomorrow. We've got to take the Flying Kipper. Don't tell Chief Thunderhooves, but I think if we pull the kipper nicely, Hoity Toity will let us take the express buffaloes. The special medicine they gave you is working well."

Big Macintosh: "Hurrah!"

Narrator: "Cried Big Mac."

Big Macintosh: "That will be lovely."

Narrator: "All kinds of ships use the harbor at the big station by the sea. There are passenger ships, cargo ships and fishing boats also come here They unload their fish on the key. Some of it goes to shops in the town, and the rest are given to special changelings to other places faraway. This is the line of changelings that the men call 'The Flying Kipper'.

Big Macintosh was ready at 5'o clock. There was snow and frost. Men hustled and shouted giving the changelings the crates of fish. The last door banged, the guard showed his green lamp, the Flying Kipper was ready to go."

Big Macintosh: "Come on, come on! Don't be silly, don't be silly!"

Narrator: "Huffed Big Mac to the changelings. The changelings shuttered and groaned."

Changelings: "Trock-trick, trock-trick! Alright, alright!"

Big Macintosh: "That is better, that is better!"

Narrator: "Puffed Big Mac.

Clouds of smoke and steam poured into the cold air, and the lamp shown brightly."

Big Macintosh: "Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

Narrator: "Panted Big Mac.

They were going well. The light grew better, signal lights showed green as they past.

Then, a yellow signal appeared ahead. His driver prepared to stop, but the home signal was down."

Big Macintosh's Driver: "All clear, Big Mac. Away we go."

Narrator: "They couldn't know that the switches from the main line to a siding were frozen. And the home signal should've been set at danger. But snow had forced it down.

A freight animal was waiting in the siding to let the Flying Kipper past. And the driver and the fireman were drinking cocoa in the cart."

Conductor: "The kipper is due."

Narrator: "Said the conductor."

Fireman: "Who cares?"

Narrator: "Said the fireman."

Fireman: "This is good cocoa!"

Narrator: "The driver got up."

Driver: "Come on, fireman. Back to our animal."

Narrator: "They got out just in time."

(CRASH!)

Narrator: "Big Mac's driver and fireman had jumped clear before the crash. But Big Mac lay dazed and surprised.

Hoity Toity came to see him."

Big Macintosh: "The signal was down, sir."

Narrator: "Said Big Mac."

Hoity Toity: "Cheer up, Big Mac. It wasn't your fault. Ice and snow caused the accident. I'm sending you to Crewe, a fine place for sick animals. They'll give you a new shape and a larger stomach. You'll feel a different horse and you won't need special medicine anymore. Won't that be nice?"

Big Macintosh: "Yes, sir."

Narrator: "Said Big Mac doubtfully.

Big Macintosh liked being at Crewe, but was glad to come home.

A crowd of people waited to see him arrive in his new shape. He looked so splendid and strong that they gave him three cheers."

Big Macintosh: "Peep, peep!"

Narrator: "He whistled."

Big Macintosh: "Thank you very much."

Narrator: "I'm sorry to say that a lot of little children are often late for school because they wait to see Big Mac go by. They often see him pulling the express buffaloes. He does it so well that Chief Thunderhooves is jealous. But that's another story."

Trouble for Spike
Narrator: "Spike the Dragon wouldn't stop being a nuisance. Night after night, he kept the other animals awake."

Spike: "I'm tired of pushing buffaloes. I want to see the world."

Narrator: "The other animals didn't take much notice, for Spike was a little dragon with a long tongue.

But one night, Shining Armor came to the library. He was a kind unicorn and felt sorry for Spike."

Shining Armor: "I've got some changelings to take home tomorrow. If you take them instead of me, I'll push buffaloes in Ponyville."

Spike: "Thank you."

Narrator: "Said Spike."

Spike: "That will be nice."

Narrator: "Next morning, Shining Armor and Spike asked their drivers, and when they said "Yes", Spike ran off happily to find changelings.

Now, the changelings are silly and noisy. They talk a lot and don't attend to what they are doing. And I'm sorry to say, they play tricks on an animal who is not used to them. Shining Armor know all about changelings. He warned Spike to be careful, but Spike was too excited to listen.

The shunter fastened the arms, and when the light changed, Spike was ready. The conductor blew his whistle."

Spike: "Peep! Peep!"

Narrator: "Answered Spike, and started off. But the changelings weren't ready."

Changelings: "Oh, oh, oh!"

Narrator: "They screamed."

Changelings: "Wait, Spike, wait."

Narrator: "But Spike wouldn't wait."

Spike: "Come on, come on."

Narrator: "He puffed."

Changelings: "All right, all right, don't fuss, all right, don't fuss."

Narrator: "Grumbled the changelings.

Spike began going faster and faster."

Spike: "Wheeeee!"

Narrator: "He whistled as he rushed through Big Macintosh's tunnel."

Spike: "Hurry, hurry!"

Narrator: "Called Spike. He was feeling very proud of himself. But the changelings grew crosser and crosser. At last Spike slowed down as he came to Chief Thunderhooves' hill."

Spike's Driver: "Steady now, steady."

Narrator: "Warned the driver as they reached the top. He began to put on the brakes."

Spike: "We're stopping, we're stopping."

Narrator: "Called Spike."

Changelings: "No, no, no!"

Narrator: "Answered the changelings, bumping into each other."

Changelings: "Go on, go on!"

Narrator: "Before the driver could stop them, they had pushed Spike down the hill and were rattling and laughing behind him.

Poor Spike tried hard to stop them from making him go too fast."

Spike: "Stop pushing, stop pushing!"

Narrator: "He hissed. But the changelings took no notice."

Changelings: "Go on, go on!"

Narrator: "They giggled in their silly way."

Spike: "There's the station. Oh dear, what shall I do?"

Narrator: "He cried. They rattled straight through and swerved into the goods yard. Spike shut his eyes."

Spike: "I must stop!"

Narrator: "When he opened his eyes, he saw he had stopped just in front of the buffers. There watching him was Hoity Toity."

Hoity Toity: "What are you doing here, Spike?"

Narrator: "He asked."

Spike: "I've brought Shining Armor's changelings."

Narrator: "Spike answered."

Hoity Toity: "Why did you come so fast?"

Spike: "I didn't mean to. I was pushed."

Narrator: "Said Spike."

Hoity Toity: "You've got a lot to learn about changelings, Spike. After pushing them about here for a few weeks, you'll know almost as much about them as Shining Armor. Then you'll be a Really Useful Dragon."

Braeburn the Pony
Narrator: "Braeburn is a pony. He wears a hat and a vest, and doesn't look like a dragon at all. He takes changelings from farms and villages to the main path, and is cheerful to everyone he meets.

He has a filly called Scootaloo, who has seen better days."

Scootaloo: "It's not fair at all!"

Narrator: "She grumbles, remembering that she used to be full and nine changelings would rattle behind her.

Now, there are only three or four, for the farms and factories send their goods mostly by truck.

Braeburn is always careful. The cars, buses and trucks often have accidents. Braeburn hasn't have an accident in years, but the buses are crowded and Scootaloo is empty.

A princess and a stout gentleman stood on Braeburn's platform. He was, of course, Hoity Toity, but Braeburn didn't know this yet."

Stephen and Bridget Hatt: "Come on, grandfather!"

Narrator: "Cried the children."

Stephen and Bridget Hatt: "Do look at this animal."

Hoity Toity: "That's an earth pony, Stephen."

Narrator: "Said Hoity Toity."

Bridget Hatt: "Is it electric?"

Narrator: "Asked Bridget."

Braeburn: "Whoosh!"

Narrator: "Hissed Braeburn."

Stephen Hatt: "Sh, sh."

Narrator: "Said her brother."

Stephen Hatt: "You've offended him."

Bridget Hatt: "But earth ponies are electric, aren't they?"

Hoity Toity: "They are mostly, but this is an Apple family earth pony."

Stephen Hatt and Bridget Hatt: "May we go with him, grandfather, please?"

Hoity Toity: "Stop!"

Narrator: "Said Hoity Toity to the conductor, they all gathered with Scootaloo."

Scootaloo: "Hip, hip hooray!"

Narrator: "Chanted Scootaloo, but Braeburn didn't sing."

Braeburn: "Electric indeed, electric indeed!"

Narrator: "He snorted. He was proud of being an Apple family earth pony."

Hoity Toity: "What is your name?"

Narrator: "Asked Hoity Toity."

Braeburn: "Braeburn, sir."

Hoity Toity: "Thank you, Braeburn for a very nice walk."

Braeburn: "Thank you, sir."

Narrator: "Said Braeburn. He felt better now."

Braeburn: "This gentleman,"

Narrator: "He thought."

Braeburn: "Is a gentleman who knows how to speak to ponies."

Narrator: "The children came everyday for two weeks. Sometimes they walked with the conductor, sometimes with empty changelings. On the last day of all, the driver invited them up front.

All were sorry when they had to go away. And Hoity Toity and his family thanked everyone."

Braeburn: "Come again soon."

Narrator: "Replied Braeburn."

Stephen and Bridget Hatt: "We will, will."

Narrator: "Called the children. And they waved till Braeburn was out of sight.

The months past, Braeburn had few changelings and fewer passengers."

Braeburn's Driver: "Our last day, Braeburn."

Narrator: "Said his driver one morning."

Braeburn's Driver: "The manager says we must close tomorrow."

Narrator: "That day, everyone wanted a chance of a last walk. The passengers joked and sang, but Braeburn and his driver wished they wouldn't."

Passengers: "Goodbye, Braeburn."

Narrator: "Said the passengers afterwards."

Passengers: "We are sorry your path is closing down."

Braeburn: "So am I."

Narrator: "Sighed Braeburn."

Braeburn: "Nobody wants me."

Narrator: "Braeburn thought, and went unhappily to sleep.

Next morning, the door was flung open and old Braeburn woke with a start to see his driver waving a piece of paper at him."

Braeburn's Driver: "Wake up, Braeburn!"

Narrator: "He shouted excitedly."

Braeburn's Driver: "The mail has just arrived and there's a letter for us from the stout gentleman. Maybe it's good news."