It was another great day on the Island of Sodor. The engines were working hard to be Really Useful. Even the narrow gauge railways have to work hard. But no matter the size of any engine, big or small, the island always keep going. One morning, Adagio was at Arlesburgh West, waiting for one of 3 small engines to deliver wool to her so she can take it to Vicarstown.
"Come on, you three slow coaches. You're all worse than my sisters!" Adagio boomed with impatience.
Then, Rex, the Small Green Engine, came up to the platform that transfers stuff between the Arlesdale Railway and the NWR, pulling the wool.
"There you go, Adagio. Next time, can you be more patient?," said Rex.
But Adagio didn't answer. After her trucks are loaded, she blew her whistle and chuffed off with the wool to Vicarstown.
"Big engines. When will they learn?"
complained Rex.
That night, Adagio was at Timouth Sheds.
"Tiny toy trains. They are never on time," muttered Adagio.
"What now, Adagio?" yawned Aria, awakened by her comment. "It's the middle of the night."
"Aria, go back to sleep. There is nothing to worry about," Adagio replied.
"You should get some sleep, too, boss," said Aria as she closed her eyes.
"Ugh, fine," wheesed Adagio.
The next morning, Adagio chuffed to Arlesburgh West to collect more wool to take to Vicarstown.
"Those toy trains will learn that they should be on time," said Adagio.
Soon, Adagio arrived at Arlesburgh West. Bert The Small Blue Engine arrived with the wool, just on time.
"You're late," said Adagio, refusing to believe that small engines can do anything.
"What? But I'm on time," protested Bert.
But Adagio didn't answer. She chuffed off with more wool to Vicarstown, leaving Bert to wonder about her behavior.
That night, at Arlesburgh West Sheds, Bert, Rex, and Mike were talking to each other.
"Adagio is too bossy," said Rex.
"She didn't believe that I was on time. I think she only cares about herself and her red shiny gem," huffed Bert, referring to Adagio's pendant.
"Guys, do you remember the time when Thomas visited us, that he got overlooked by that big engine named Gordon?" chimed Mike, referring to the time they helped Thomas slow the stolen pirate ship down.
"Yes, why?" asked Bert and Rex.
"Maybe she is overlooking us the whole time," replied Mike. "We're little engines, and she is a big engine, that's all."
"Maybe we will teach her a lesson tommorow," said Bert.
"Agreed," said all 3 engines.
So the next morning, all three engines made a plan. They were going to teach Adagio a lesson.
Adagio then arrived at Arlesburgh West to collect the wool.
"Little toy trains, where are my wool trucks?" she asked with impatience.
"They're under that chute, already loaded. So you may want to collect them before it's too late," replied Mike.
"Oh, dear," said Adagio as she hurried to collect the trucks.
Mike then winked to Bert, who was pushing two small trucks full of ballast. Bert got the signal and pushed the trucks up to the top of the chute. By that time, Adagio had already went under the chute to collect the trucks. Then there was trouble. Mike saw that Adagio was now coupling up to the trucks.
"Bert, now!" shouted Mike.
"What does he mean by now? I'm confused," said Adagio to herself. It was at this moment she knew.....she messed up.
Bert then dumped the ballast all over Adagio.
"Ugh! My beautiful paint!" Adagio snapped.
"That'll teach you to not overlook little engines," yelled Rex.
Just then, both the Fat and Small Controller arrived onboard Hiro. They were both shocked to see what had happened to Adagio. The Small Controller was cross with Bert, Rex, and Mike.
"The three of you! What is the meaning of this?!" he bellowed to the three engines.
"Adagio was treating us badly," Bert replied.
"She was bossing us around the whole time," chimed Rex.
"So that's why we dumped ballast all over her to teach her a lesson," said Mike sadly.
The Fat and Small Controller were surprised. Then Sir Topham Hatt turned to Adagio. He was cross.
"Adagio, you have caused confusion and delay. Your teasing and rushing of the small engines have caused them to commit confusion and delay, too," said the Fat Controller. "Apologize at once."
"Sir Topham Hatt's right, Adagio. Being impatient can lead to confusion and delay," explained Hiro. "That's why you have to wait patiently."
"I'm sorry, Bert, Rex, and Mike. I didn't mean to be bossy to you," Adagio said with sadness. "I'm also sorry for denying the fact that you were on time."
"And we're sorry for dumping ballast all over you," replied the three small engines.
"That's great. Now Adagio, you will go to the wash down to get cleaned," said the Fat Controller. "Hiro will take the wool to Vicarstown."
All of the engines smiled. Soon, Adagio was at the wash down. Aria was there, also getting a wash down.
"Hey, Adagio, what's with the messy face and paint?" Aria asked.
"It's a long story, Aria," replied Adagio. "Why you are here?"
"I have to take the Earl of Sodor to the Duke And Duchess' summer house," explained Aria.
So the two engines had a good time talking at the wash down. The end.