A Surprise for Chuffy

Chuffy was a steam engine that had drawn carriages for many years along the railway track. He enjoyed the thrill of rattling along on the metal rails, the noise, the smoke and the countryside. The stations made him so happy with the people getting off and on and all the bustle, till the guard waved a flag and he could whistle at the top of his lungs before taking off for the next station.
One day as he was standing in a station, three men came out on to the platform. They were the technicians who had come to examine Chuffy. They came up to where Chuffy was standing. One of them climbed in and examined Chuffy all over.
“I think this one is ready for retirement,” said the man.
Chuffy was horrified. “Retirement? Who? Me? No, no, no, no, no!” thought Chuffy, “How can they manage without me? What will happen to the rails and the carriages and the stations? And the passengers?”

The three men continued to talk for a while. Then Chuffy heard one of them say, “It will take three months to switch over to the new engine on this route.”
“You’re right,” said another, “By then we’ll decide what to do with this old engine too. Perhaps it’ll have to be sold as junk.”
Chuffy was so shocked and upset that he felt large tear-drops sliding down its face. When the guard waved the green flag, he forgot to whistle as he started for the next station in haste.
It seemed to Chuffy that everyone was talking about the new engine. They didn’t seem to want Chuffy any more. It made him more and more miserable every day.
One day, Chuffy saw those three men again at the station. His heart sank. Then on the track next to his, he saw a gleaming new engine. It shone like silver. It had no chimney and was sleek and stylish to look at.
Chuffy felt very small and miserable. The three men came inside his cabin. They looked around.
“Nothing that can’t be cleaned and repaired with a coat of paint,” said one of them.
“What are they talking of?” wondered Chuffy, “This will be the star attraction of the Museum. Children will love it!” said the third one.

Chuffy couldn’t believe it! And so Chuffy found himself standing proudly with a fresh coat of paint on a high platform in the Museum. And he loved all the attention he got, especially from children!

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