Thomas and Friends Storytime.
The Perfect Gift, a podcast story for kids.
Starring Percy the Small Engine and Reg the Scrapyard Crane.
Based on the Railway series by the Reverend W. Audrey.
Created by Britt Allcroft.
Read by Mark Moraghan and friends.
This is a story about Reg.
Reg is a cheerful yellow crane who works at the Sodor scrapyard.
When Reg picks up the scrap with his big metal claw, it sounds like this.
So let's begin our story.
The Perfect Gift It was just before Christmas and the island of Sodor was looking magical.
A dusting of sparkly white snow covered the rooftops and fields and there were Christmas trees and decorations everywhere.
At this time of year, Percy was always extra busy delivering Christmas trees and lots of Christmas mail.
But this morning Percy was doing one of his regular jobs taking scrap to the scrapyard.
When Percy arrived Reg, the Scrapyard Crane, was busy sorting through piles of old metal and wood.
Hello, Reg.
Hello Percy!
Brought me some lovely scrap, have you?
I certainly have Aren't I the lucky one then?
Reg loved his work.
As Reg unloaded Percy's cars, Percy looked around.
The yard was full of broken rusty machinery, old furniture and scrap metal.
But there wasn't a single Christmas decoration anywhere.
It's a bit dark and gloomy around here, isn't it, Reg?
Not really, Percy.
It's no different from usual.
Exactly.
And this is a special time of year when the rest of the island does look different from usual.
Oh, twinkles.
And lovely and... Magical Reg looked around.
He was very proud of the scrapyard I love it here.
I'm very happy.
Don't you worry about me But Percy couldn't stop worrying.
He was worried that Reg was missing out on the magic of Christmas.
Tidmouth sheds had been covered with twinkling lights.
Workmen were busy hanging shiny decorations.
Thomas was in his shed when Percy arrived.
I think the sheds are going to look great.
Don't you, Percy?
In the middle of the yard was the biggest, most splendid-looking Christmas tree covered with sparkling decorations.
Especially that Christmas tree, said Percy excitedly.
I think Christmas trees are my favorite Christmas thing of all.
Then Percy spotted another smaller Christmas tree standing next to the sheds.
Thomas, we do have an awful lot of decorations here at Tidmouth Sheds, don't we?
Yes, Percy.
So, do you think anyone would mind?
If I took that Christmas tree over there and gave it to someone else, someone who really, really needed it because he didn't have any Christmas decorations at all.
Thomas was shocked.
No decorations at all?
Not even a bauble.
Then you should definitely take that tree and give it to your poor friend.
So the next day, when Percy took the scrap to the scrapyard, he also took along the little Christmas tree as a special gift.
Good morning, Reg.
You're early today Percy, I know because as well as all this scrap, I've brought you a special gift.
Reg lifted the little Christmas tree from Percy's car, But Reg didn't realise the little tree he was holding was a gift.
Reg thought the tree was for recycling, so he fed the tree into the wood chipper.
Sorry, what were you saying?
Something about a special gift?
Reg, what happened to the tree?
The little tree had been turned into a pile of wood chips.
Oh, old trees like that show up at the scrapyard all the time, especially at this time of year.
But that was a Christmas tree.
Well, soon it will be something else.
Nothing goes to waste at the scrapyard, so I'd better get on with it.
Percy was determined to bring Christmas to the scrapyard.
He just wasn't sure how.
Later at Knapford Station, Sir Topham Hatt asked Percy to take a group of carol singers to the town square for a Christmas singalong.
And that gave Percy an idea.
On the way to the town square, Percy took the carol singers to see Reg at the scrapyard.
Hello again, Percy.
I wasn't expecting to see you here again so soon.
Not that I mind, if you've brought me some lovely scrap.
I've brought you something better than that, Reg.
A one, a two, a one, two, three.
As the carol singer sang, Reg listened for a while.
But he had lots of work to do.
So Reg soon went back to sorting scrap, which made a lot of noise What was that?
You were supposed to be listening.
I was trying to cheer you up.
I'm sorry Percy, but I'm not sure I need cheering up And well, to be honest, I'm really rather busy.
Okay sorry Reg, Percy puffed away.
He felt sad that Reg didn't like the Christmas singing.
But Percy wasn't a giving up kind of engine.
He was still determined to make Reg's scrapyard come alive with Christmas cheer.
Then Percy had another idea.
That's it!
I need to give Reg a Christmas present.
Something he really loves.
But...
What?
Percy searched all over the island of Sodor looking for the perfect gift for Reg.
But no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't think of anything.
The next evening Percy puffed slowly into the scrapyard with his cars full of scrap metal.
Reg could see that Percy was looking sad.
Evening Percy.
Deary me, what's the matter?
A bit down in the dumps are you?
Oh Reg, Tidmouth Sheds is all decorated and the whole island looks lovely and special, But you're stuck here in the Sodor scrapyard and I couldn't even think of a present to give to you.
Reg smiled.
He had seen something amongst the scrap in one of Percy's cars.
But Percy, you've brought me exactly what I wanted More lovely scrap.
Yes, more lovely scrap.
And most particularly, Reg picked up a door from an old motor car.
This is just what I need.
Reg placed the car door at the bottom of a huge Christmas tree shaped pile of scrap he had built.
Then suddenly, the big scrap pile tree lit up with hundreds of sparkling fairy lights.
Reg, your Christmas tree looks fantastic.
I'm not done yet Then Reg lifted a big metal star he'd made onto the top of his scrap pile tree.
Now the scrap yard looked twinkly and lovely and magical for Christmas.
Oh, Reg, that is amazing.
I told you, nothing round here goes to waste.
Now, before you go, you said something about gifts?
Percy felt a little embarrassed.
He didn't have a gift for Reg Oh yes, that.
I'm so sorry but I didn't get you No, no!
I have a gift for you!
Reg had made another big metal star especially for Percy.
He carefully put the star into one of Percy's cars.
Thanks, Reg.
Well, after seeing my Christmas decorations, I thought you might feel rather left out.
Merry Christmas, Percy.
Thanks, Reg!
Merry Christmas to you too!
Thomas was waiting as Percy arrived back at Tidmouth Sheds.
Thomas and Percy both smiled as they looked at Reg's big metal star shining high up on the roof of Tidmouth Sheds.
It looked very magical indeed.
Merry Christmas, Percy.
Merry Christmas, Thomas.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
The End Listen out for other adventures with Thomas and Friends Storytime.
Parents.
If you like what you heard, please leave us a review and subscribe.
Wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Tell your friends too.
Thomas and Friends is a registered trademark of Galane Thomas Limited.
