Thomas and Friends Storytime.
A cranky Christmas.
A podcast story for kids.
Starring Cranky the Crane and Thomas the Tank Engine.
Based on the railway series by the Reverend W. Audrey.
Created by Brit Allcroft.
Read by Mark Moraghan and friends.
This story is about Cranky the Crane.
Cranky is a very tall green crane who works at Brendam Docks.
He has a long crane arm with a hook at the end, which he uses to lift and load all kinds of cargo.
When Cranky moves, he sounds like this.
So let's begin our story.
A CRANKY CHRISTMAS
It was a bright and frosty winter morning just before Christmas.
Snow covered the island of Sodor and the tracks and pathways sparkled and glistened with ice.
Thomas was delivering salt to Tidmouth Town Square.
The salt would be scattered on the ground to melt the ice away so that people didn't slip over.
As Thomas pulled into the station, his wheels began to slide on the icy rails.
Whoa!
Edward the Wise Engine was waiting on the other platform.
Careful, Thomas!
Bust my buffers!
This ice is really slippery.
I know, but that's what the sand in your sandbox is for.
It helps you grip the rails.
A workman began shoveling sand into a box attached to Thomas' buffer.
I know, Edward.
That's why I'm getting my sandbox filled up.
Sir Topham Hatt came slipping and sliding along the platform, trying hard not to fall over on the ice.
Ah, Thomas.
Thank you for delivering the salt.
Good.
But I have another, even more important job for you.
What is it, sir?
There's a special delivery arriving at the docks.
A Christmas crate with red straps that needs to be delivered here to the Town Hall.
It's going to kick off our Christmas celebrations in style.
Hurry Thomas and careful how you go!
Said Sir Topham Hatt as he nearly slipped over on the icy ground.
Meanwhile at Brendam Docks Cranky, the Crane was busy unloading crates from a big ship.
Lift and load, lift and load.
I don't know, all this extra cargo at Christmas.
Cranky lifted a crate with bright red straps from the ship.
This was the special Christmas crate that Thomas was on his way to collect.
Ah, what's this?
But then there was trouble.
A loud ship's horn startled Cranky and he dropped the crate.
As the crate crashed to the ground, something inside made a loud clattering sound.
Oh no!
That doesn't sound right.
I must have broken it.
Cranky looked around.
No one had seen him drop the crate.
So while no one was watching...
Cranky hid the broken crate behind some big wooden boxes.
Then Thomas arrived at the docks.
Morning, Cranky.
I have an important delivery to pick up.
Oh, hello, Thomas.
What is it?
A Christmas crate with big red straps around it.
Have you seen it?
Well, let me think.
I've unloaded so many crates today, you see.
Cranky was too scared to tell Thomas that he'd dropped the special Christmas crate and thought he'd broken it.
Must be around here somewhere.
Thomas looked at all the cargo piled high on the dockside, but he couldn't see the Christmas crate anywhere.
Thomas was worried.
Oh, cinders and ashes.
Thomas headed back to Tidmouth to tell Sir Topham Hatt that he couldn't find the Christmas crate.
The tracks along the way were icy, but Thomas sprinkled sand from his sandbox onto the rails so his wheels didn't slip.
At Tidmouth Town Square, Sir Topham Hatt, the Mayor and a crowd of people were waiting for Thomas.
They all looked very pleased to see him.
Here he is!
I told you he'd be here soon!
Here he is!
Hooray!
Sir Topham Hatt looked at Thomas' empty flatbeds.
But where's the crate I sent you to collect, Thomas?
I looked for it everywhere, sir.
But Cranky said no Christmas crate has arrived.
Oh.
Now then, where's this big Christmas surprise you've been promising us?
Ask the mayor.
Ah, yes, well, Mr. Mayor, it seems there's been a delay with that.
Thomas could see how disappointed everyone looked.
Don't worry, sir.
I'll find it.
I'll search the docks from top to bottom if I have to.
As Thomas puffed away, Edward called after him.
Thomas, you haven't refilled your sandbox.
But Thomas was in such a rush to get back to the docks, he didn't hear Edward.
We wish you a merry Christmas.
We wish you a merry Christmas.
At the docks, Salty was happily singing Christmas songs as he shunted cars.
But Cranky wasn't very happy.
He was still feeling bad about dropping the Christmas crate.
Then Thomas arrived and began looking for the missing crate.
Thomas searched and searched.
Then Salty spotted something hidden behind some boxes.
It was the Christmas crate with the red straps.
Oh!
Ahoy, matey!
Is this the crate you're looking for?
Well done, Salty!
You found it!
Yes!
Well done, Salty!
So Cranky loaded the crate onto Thomas' flatbed.
And Thomas hurried back to Tidmouth as fast as he could.
As Thomas arrived at Tidmouth Town Square, he tried to slow down, but his wheels began to slip on the icy tracks.
Thomas tried to drop more sand under his wheels, but his sandbox was empty.
Oh no!
I forgot to fill my sandbox!
Sir Topham Hatt and the mayor were waiting for Thomas to arrive with the Christmas crate.
Ah, here comes Thomas now!
Is he meant to be going that fast?
I can't stop!
I can't stop!
Help!
But Edward knew why Thomas wasn't slowing down.
Oh no, he's out of sand!
Edward quickly sprinkled sand on the track in front of Thomas.
Break, Thomas!
Break!
As Thomas reached the part of the track covered with sand, his wheels gripped the rails and he stopped.
So suddenly the crate flew off, Thomas' flatbed and landed on the platform with a crash.
Oh no!
It sounds like I've broken the Christmas surprise!
Now poor Thomas thought he had broken the crate.
So Topham Hatt lifted the lid and looked inside.
Don't worry, Thomas.
Nothing's broken.
Look!
The crate was full of ice skates and everything that was needed to set up an ice skating rink in front of the town hall.
Woohoo!
Yay!
Soon the new ice rink was built and everyone loved skating on it, even Sir Topham Hatt.
What do you think of my special Christmas surprise, Thomas?
I like it, sir.
Maybe ice can be fun after all.
That night at Brendam Docks Thomas was telling Cranky and Salty all about his accident with the Christmas crate.
So when the crate fell off my flatbed I thought what was inside had broken.
But it turned out it was just all the ice skates rattling about.
Cranky was very pleased that nothing in the crate was broken.
That's what I thought when I dropped it.
When you dropped it?
Thomas realized that Cranky had dropped the Christmas crate too.
Why do you think I kept hiding it?
You were hiding it?
Yeah, okay, I'm sorry, very sorry But can't we just let it go?
After all, it is Christmas.
Thomas and Salty agreed, Nothing had been broken and everyone at Tidmouth could enjoy skating on the new ice rink.
Cranky's right who fancies a sing song?
We wish you a merry Christmas.
We wish you a merry Christmas.
We wish you a merry Christmas.
And a cranky new year.
The end.
Tell your friends too.
Thomas and Friends is a registered trademark of Galane Thomas Limited.
