James Learns a Lesson

Ringo Starr: James was enjoying his life on the Island of Sodor, but he still had a lot to learn.

Sir Topham Hatt: You’re a special mixed-traffic engine.

Ringo Starr: Said Sir Topham Hatt.

Sir Topham Hatt: You can pull coaches or freight cars quite easily, but you must learn by your mistakes.

Ringo Starr: James knew what Sir Topham Hatt meant. He could well remember that dreadful accident on his first day.

Edward: Be careful with the coaches, James.

Ringo Starr: Said kind little Edward.

Edward: They don’t like being bumped.

Ringo Starr: Everyone came to admire James.

James: I’m a really splendid engine.

Ringo Starr: He thought, and suddenly let off steam. A shower of water fell on Sir Topham’s nice new top hat. Just then the conductor blew his whistle and James thought they had better go.

James: Go on, go on.

Ringo Starr: He puffed to Edward.

Edward: Don’t push, don’t push.

Ringo Starr: Replied Edward. The coaches were grumbling too.

Coaches: Don’t go so fast, don’t go so fast.

Ringo Starr: But James didn’t listen. When at last they stopped at the next station, two coaches were beyond the platform. They had to go back to let the passengers out, but no one seemed to know about Sir Topham’s new hat, so James felt happier. Presently they came to the station where Thomas was waiting with his two coaches.

Thomas: Hello, James!

Ringo Starr: Said Thomas.

Thomas: Feeling better? That’s right. Ah! That’s my conductor’s whistle. I must go. I don’t know what Sir Topham Hatt would do without me to run this branch line.

Ringo Starr: And he puffed off importantly. Edward and James passed the field where James had had his accident. The fence was mended and the cows were back again. They ended their journey and rested before setting off for home. James was still wondering what Sir Topham would have to say about his new hat. Next morning, he spoke severely to James.

Sir Topham Hatt: If you can’t behave, I shall take away your red coat and have you painted blue.

Ringo Starr: James didn’t like that at all. He was very rough with the grumbling coaches as he brought them to the platform.

James: Don’t talk, come on!

Ringo Starr: He called to them.

James: Gordon never has to fetch his own coaches.

Ringo Starr: He thought to himself.

James: And he’s only painted blue.

Ringo Starr: To make James even more cross, this time no one came near him.

James: I’ll show them!

Ringo Starr: He thought.

James: They think Gordon is the only engine who can pull coaches.

James: Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Ringo Starr: Puffed James.

Coaches: You’re going too fast, you’re going too fast.

Ringo Starr: Replied the coaches. James laughed and tried to go faster, but the coaches wouldn’t let him.

Coaches: We’re going to stop.

Ringo Starr: They said.

Coaches: We’re going to stop.

James: What’s the matter?

Ringo Starr: James asked his driver.

James’ Driver: The brakes are hard on, leak in the pipe most likely. You’ve banged the coaches enough to make a leak in anything.

Conductor: How shall we mend it?

Ringo Starr: Said the Conductor.

James’ Driver: We’ll do it with a newspaper and a leather bootlace.

Ringo Starr: Replied the driver.

Conductor: Well, where’s the bootlace coming from?

Ringo Starr: Asked the Conductor.

James’ Driver: Ask the passengers.

Ringo Starr: Said the driver.

Conductor: You have a leather bootlace there I see, sir.

Ringo Starr: Said the Conductor to a smartly dressed man.

Conductor: Please give it to me.

Jeremiah Jobling: I won’t.

Ringo Starr: Said the man.

Conductor: Then.

Ringo Starr: Said the Conductor.

Conductor: I’m afraid the train will just stop where it is.

Ringo Starr: The passengers all said what a bad railway it was. Then they told the man how bad he was instead. Everyone was very cross. At last he handed his laces over. The driver tied a pad of newspaper tightly round the hole in the brake pipe, and James was able to pull the train. But he was a sadder and wiser James and took care never to bump coaches again.