TEDDY MAC AND THE SPORTS DAY IN THE SECRET GARDEN

Early one morning, the Railway Bears crept into Grandad’s Bag. “Ssh,” said Teddy Mac, You‘ll have to be quiet. We don’t want Grandad to notice you‘re there.” and he smiled to himself. Today was going to be special. It was the Sports Day for The Railway Bears in the Secret Garden. “Gosh, this is heavy this morning!” complained Grandad as he carried his bulging Railway Bag towards the Engine Shed.

   While Grandad was busy putting Teddy Mac in Otter’s tender,  the Railway Bears popped out of the bag one by one and headed off in the direction of the Secret Garden.

   Teddy Mac waited patiently for his first train ride. Today there were three engines in steam. Two of the them were to be double headed. That meant that they had to run one in front of the other to help pull a long set of carriages.

Claudine and Dickie were chosen to run together. At first, they both blew their whistles loudly, but  Station Master Rod had to decide which one should be the lead engine. He chose Claudine for the first run. Dickie wasn’t at all pleased. He blew a huge cloud of smoky steam, in disgust, but it was too late to argue. The signal changed, the green flag waved and the double headed train set off from the station. 

    Humphrey’s hard yellow hat popped out of the nearest molehill. “Come on! You’ll be late for the races?” he said to Teddy Mac. But before Teddy Mac could answer, Grandad’s radio crackled. It was Driver Barry asking for help. The double headed train set was stuck at Wildway Down. Teddy Mac hopped into Otter’s tender as Grandad  steamed off to the rescue.

   At Wildway Down, Claudine was blowing steam everywhere. She looked very hot, but Teddy Mac guessed what was wrong. “Dickie’s refusing to take his brakes off!” he said to himself. “And all because he wanted to be the leader!” The passengers were very excited to see  another engine arrive. Grandad linked Otter up to the back of the carriages to help push them back to Much Natter Station.

   Back at the Engine Shed,  John Mac examined Dickie. “I can’t see anything wrong with him. We’ll give him some time out and then try him again later.”

It was time for lunch. While Grandad was eating his sandwiches, Teddy Mac popped down into the nearest molehill, taking the first pump trolley to the Secret Garden. The races had nearly finished but Teddy Mac was just in time for the last one, which happened to be The Three Legged Race.

   By now, all the Bears had partners. The only bear without one was little Mai Won Too. “We DO look an odd couple!” said Teddy Mac as they tied a small spotted scarf around their legs. Jean Claude blew his whistle to start the race. David and  James, were first off followed by  Dai and Owen  but Teddy Mac and Mai Won Too could barely stagger. Their legs were not at all the same size. It was impossible to run. Teddy Mac stopped to let Mai Won Too catch up with him. He sighed. “We aren’t going to win,” he said. “But we ARE a good team!” shouted Mai Won Too as he puffed along trying to keep up with Teddy Mac‘s slow trot. It made Teddy Mac laugh to see Mai Won Too so happy. He stopped wishing that he had another partner and he did his best not to fall over. The Bunny Brothers jumped up and down, waving at them as they struggled by. At last they reached the Finishing Line where there were lots of moles cheering loudly. “Yes, it IS fun being a team!” said Teddy Mac and a huge smile spread across his face. Jean Claude gave them each a purple marble for trying so hard.

Back at Much Natter Station,  Dickie was already back on the track. He had one more chance to run with Claudine. Teddy Mac popped out of the nearest molehill and whispered to him “Remember, you’re part of a team!” And, to everyone’s relief, Dickie didn’t have any more trouble with his brakes. Teddy Mac smiled to himself. Now everyone was happy .What a wonderful day it had been.

Margaret Edmonds © 2010