The Talking Horse

"Oooh, you pest!"

- Emily to Thomas

The Talking Horse is a magazine story.

Plot
Sir Topham Hatt is going to play a magician in the Sodor pantomime. Thomas and Gordon watch as he pulls a big bunch of flowers out of his hat. Thomas is puzzled and Gordon tells him that The Fat Controller has cast a magic spell, which Thomas believes.

Later, collecting passengers on his branch line, Thomas passes some horses. He whistles a friendly hello and the horses whinny back to him in reply.

At the next station, there is a horse on the platform. It is bright red with white spots. Thomas has never seen such a bizarre looking horse. When Thomas pulls up, the horse shouts out to a woman. Thomas is amazed as he's never met a talking horse before and he concludes that the Fat Controller must have cast a spell on it. Thomas speeds off; he has to find the Fat Controller to get him to reverse the spell. Thomas speeds straight past Emily who has just had a wash-down. Thomas sprays her with muddy water and she is not at all happy.

Thomas arrives at the Main Station and finds the Fat Controller who is not at all happy. Thomas has caused confusion and delay everywhere he's been. Thomas explains about the talking horse, but the Fat Controller tells him there are two men inside it - it's a pantomime horse. When Gordon hears about how his teasing had upset his little friend, he apologises to Thomas and decides to cheer him up. After asking the Fat Controller to do so later that evening, the cast perform their show in front of Thomas.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Gordon
 * Emily
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Annie and Clarabel

Goofs

 * Emily's face is oversized.
 * Emily's buffers are black.