Early Bird (2012)

"Have a rest, Thomas. You deserve it."

- Percy

Early Bird is a magazine story, it was illustrated by using photographs from the CGI television series.

Plot
Thomas finishes his work for the day and decides to find Percy, but the little green engine is nowhere to be seen. The Fat Controller tells Thomas that Percy is undergoing repairs and that Thomas will have to deliver the mail. James thinks that Thomas should ask for Percy's advice about how to deliver it, but Thomas does not agree.

Thomas' first stop is the quarry. He blows his whistle loudly to let everyone know he has arrived; he does not realise that Mavis is still asleep. At Brendam, Thomas peeps even louder to signal his arrival. This time he wakes up a rather unhappy Cranky. Later that day, Thomas returns to the quarry. He is surprised to see a workman shouting; Mavis had not lined up her trucks correctly under the hopper. Thomas is puzzled; Mavis never makes mistakes. This is because Mavis is so tired that she has fallen asleep. When Thomas arrives back at the sheds, the Fat Controller is waiting for him. He is cross because everyone has been too tired to work. Thomas concludes that it will be best to ask for Percy's advice after all.

The next morning, Thomas sets off early to complete his mail rounds. This time he is as quiet as a mouse and does not blow his whistle once. When Percy returns to the main station, he congratulates Thomas for a job well done. Thomas does not hear him for he is so tired from delivering the mail that he falls asleep.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Percy
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Mavis
 * Cranky
 * James

Locations

 * Ffarquhar Quarry
 * Mavis' Shed
 * Brendam Docks
 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Brendam Warehouse
 * Sodor Steamworks
 * Tower Windmill

Trivia

 * This story is based on the thirteenth series episode, The Early Bird.