Choo-Choo Pip waited on the tracks. His brass whistle gleamed in the morning light. The big station clock ticked above him.
A little girl ran along the platform. Her teddy bear tumbled into the gap between the train and the edge. She froze, tears filling her eyes.
Choo-Choo Pip leaned his boiler over the gap. But his nose stopped short of the teddy bear. He could not reach him.
Choo-Choo Pip straightened back with a sigh. White steam puffed across the platform. He thought, What can I do?
Choo-Choo Pip blew his whistle. A long mournful note echoed through the station. Pigeons fluttered from the roof.
The girl pointed at the bear. Choo-Choo Pip took a deep breath. His boiler shuddered with air.
CHOOOOO! A mighty blast shot from Choo-Choo Pip. The platform tiles rattled. The teddy bear hopped once, twice.
The teddy bear tumbled back onto the platform. It landed softly right at the girl's feet. She picked him up!
Choo-Choo Pip eased forward until the gap disappeared. The girl climbed aboard with her bear. She pressed her cheek against his warm metal side.
'Thank you, Choo-Choo Pip,' she whispered. His whistle gave a happy trill. Other engines answered with a chorus of horns.