The Little Engine Becomes Famous

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Prices may vary by storic exions a price seey Home Depot com sl priceatch for details. My name's Otis Gray And you're listening. to sleepy podcast where I read old books to help me get to sleep tonight We are going to be reading The little engine that could which is Something I've been wanting to read for some time now and only recently entered the public domain. What a tree I think you're really, really going to like falling asleep to this very classic Children's story. But before we get to, our Bedtime reading. I just want to profoundly thank all of our brand new patrons on patreon dot com which is a website where you can pledge a couple bucks for an ad reversion of Sleepy So, this week's incredible new Patrons. Sherry Jill Jarvis Emily Jarmin And Lindsseay Phillips. Thank you all so so much for being a part of making this show. It really, really means a lot. So thank you. And u if you don't know what I'm talking about right now The names that I just read are brand new supporters of Sleepy on Patreon, which is a crowdfunding site that allows you to directly be a part of making the stuff that you enjoy So if you enjoy sleepy Maybe it's helped you get a better night's rest. Maybe you've shared it with a friend Who can't sleep so good? then you can be a part of making this show that you listen to by going to patreon dot com slash sleepy radio And There's different perks for donating. w dollars a month, like I said, gets you access to the ad free version of Sleepy. five dollars you get access to our poetry feed But even a dollar's what a lot of people give. and that means so much to me So no matter how much you donate Also happily read your name on the opening credits of our next Sunday show after you do. U And it's a great way to connect with me and other sleepy listeners on Patreon So if you want to do that You can byy going to patreon dot com slash sleepy radio Thank you And as always, the music you're hearing is by my good friend James Lpkowski, and the coverver for Sleepy is by Gracie Kana Tonight we have a very Special bedtime reading And that is the little engine that could Uh, you probably already know the title of this and the iconic line I think I can, I think I can This is the story that those illustrated kids' books derived from And originally, this is a nine chapter Short That was written. it was published in nineteen thirty Bye Wady Piper Waty Piper is It was a pseudonym for whoever wrote this. Still to this day, no one knows who actually wre the little engine that could We just know that it was written by one Watdy Piper. Who knows? Regardless, it is a fantastic story and So inspiring. in the most wonderful sincere, cheesy way He really makes me want to climb the hill that I don't think I can reallyally? Really amazing Tonight we're going do the opposite of that and go to sleep to it and be subconsciously inspired by it. in our wildest dreams. So happy fourourth of July. I hope you had a good, safe weekend. and I hope that This Bedtime story Get too nice and rested for the weekend. So thou further ado This is The Little Engine that C by Waddy Piper And now is the time for you to fluff up your pillow. justust how you like it Feel yourself melt into your bed G' real comfortable Cose your eye And let me read to you little engine that could The train chugged along the track steam puffing from its engine like a smoker's breath on a cold morning The Cars rolled in a straight line Their wheels clattering over the rails Among them was a small engine No bigger than a car But with a heart that beats strong It had a red and blue paint job faded from years of work still proud Big engines ahead were loud and proud. talalking to each other in deep, rumbling voices They bragged about how fast they were how much they could pull How they were the best of the best But the little engine just sat quietly It's smmokest stack puffing and steady rhythm Hey little enngine, One of the big ones called out You don't look like you could do much I don't know, the little engine replied I've done a lot of work. Yeah, right. Another one snortan You're not even big enough to pull a single car The little engine didn't say anything It just kept moving, steady and sure. It had a job to do. and had always done it. But today it was different The train had to go over a mountain Tracks were up there high and steep No one had yet managed to get the whole train over None of us can do it the big engine sound It's too hard T high The little engine heard them topop of the mountain. the way it rose from the earth like a wall of stone. It wasn't just high. It was a challenge A test of will. And something inside it said I can. The engineer stood at the front of the train Watching the big engines talk. He shook his head No one can get through He sir Not even the strongest The little engine step four H will It's a The engineer looked at it. D at the mound He said You think you can. I think I can It a little engance hu I think I can The engineer smiled. Well, then 's try train moved Big engines rolled along They didn't stop They just kept going each one giving the little engine a side glance Some shook their heads. Others just kept moving as they reach the base of the mountain The little engine slow cllimb was steep The wheels groan. The rails were rough The air was thin. But the little engine didn't stop going. One stop att a time Big engines watch from behind They couldn't help feel a little something Rpect, maybe Or maybe just curiosity I think it's going to make you one of them sad I don't know, another reply It's not as strong as us But the little engine didn't care It was focused had a job to do And it was doing it. slowly, steadily They climb The summit came into view The little enges's wheels were tred It steamless thin. didnn't st They kept going Until suddenly it was over The train rolled to a stop at the top B engines rolled past their faces filled with surprise Do you believe it one ass I don't know. the other side I think it just did The little engine sat there panting It's smoked stack still puffing down the other side of the mountain The tracks stretched out, smooth and open It had done it Pulled the whole train over And as the sun setat behind the mountain little engine smiled It had proven something that day Now just to the big engines So It had shown that even the smallest among us and do greater things. The train goes over the mountain trarain sat on the tracks It's red and green paint, faded from years of use. It wasn't the largest engine in the arm Nor the fastest They had a job to do And it was determined to do it A heavy freight train was stuck on the other side of the mountain tracks were blocked and no other engine could make it through The freight train goodoods to deliver to reach and a schedule to keep But the mountain was too high. path too narrow and the weight too gray without help The train would be stuck for days Big engines passed by. theirir powerful growls echoing off the hills They had their own work to do. their own roots to finish It didn't stop They didn't even look back The little engine sat quietly watching It had heard the talk seen the worry in the eyes of the engineers They knew something was needed It wasn't the strongest But it had something else had hardart Maybe I can help s a little lunge inside It's voice A soft but steady hum The big engines lie You You can't pull that way once a try The little engine here The engineers looked at each other Some shook their heads that' just stared unsure what to think I can try. little engine repeated Gy can The engineers didn't say much They didn't have to They just turned and left going about their business. The little engine didn't wait for permission It moved forward downown the tracks toward the mountain It didn't go fast They didn't go slowly just went Each mile was a battle Each curve was a challenge The weight of the freight train pressed down on it tryrying to slow it down to stop it But the little engine kept going. Didn't stop giveive up It just kept moving. Mile after mile until they reached the base of the mountain. climb a steep The tracks twisted and turned The little engine had to push to pull push again It wasn't easy. It wasn't fun But it didn't matter It was doing what I had to do att the top The little engine stood still. Exhausting. The freight train was on the other side. safe and free The people who needed it were waiting The journey was over Big engines came back curious Looked at the little engine surprised. They had laughed before Now they were quiet You did it once own I tried it. The little engine time And that was all that it needed to say Chapter three a little engine gets an idea The little engine tugged along the tracks It brass valves hissing with every breath of steam It was small but sturdy and had a reputation for getting things done evenven when the odds were stacked against it But today, something felt different The engine wasasn't just moving forward It was thinking It had been a long day on the railroad The train had carried passengers and cargo all the way from the east in a little engine had worked hard pulling the whole line through hills and tunnels Now as it approached a stretch of track that had been blocked by a massive landslide Stop sure and let out a deep Rhythmic whistle He The engine call out Its voice a low rumble What's going on here The conductor riding on the front of the train, looked back There's a huge pile of rocks in the way No way through We stuck little engine tilted its head Glowing eyes, narrowing It had never seen a problem it couldn't solve. Not yet Why don't we just move the rocks? it asked conductor lab It's a lot of rocks You can't move a mountain with one push The engine wasn't discouraged It had worked hard before could work hard again thought about the mountain The rocks, the track, the train and the people waiting behind it It wasn't just about moving the rocks It was about getting the train the other side The little engine did something They'd never done before stepped forward Paul, not to push They rolled up to the base of the mountain of rocks and let out a mighty hisess pushed The rocks didn't move Not right away The engine pushed harder. Pistons pumping faster It's wheels gripping the tracks It was a slow, steady effort But it was deliberate It wasn't just moving the rocks. It was moving something inside itself too Come on, little engine You can do it The engine didn't answer It just pushed and pushed. And first. The rocks started to shift Not much, but enough The engine kept going. It voice a low, steady hum. It's like a heartbe It didn't stop then't give her It just kept moving One small push at a time afterfter what felt like forever The rocks gave way The path was clear The little engine stepped back letting out a deep, satisfied whistle You did it. Dr Sada You actually did it The little engine looked around its face glowing with quiet pride. I guess I did from the back of the train mother and child class businessman smile Even the other engines, bigger and more experienced, gave the little engine a nod of respect The little engine didn't say much. It just rolled forward Ready for the next challenge because that's what it did. It didn't just move things They moved mountains. One push att a time. A four the little engine It was a cold morning when the little engines st at the edge of the tracks lookingooking up at the mountain She wasn't big. She wasn't fast She didn't have a lot of power. she had a dream And she believed she could do it. Can you pull the train over the mountain? A voice asked She turned her head It was a big red engine standing beside her. Loo down. with a skeptical expression. I don't know She said but I think I can try Big red engine, Chuckle. You. Pull a train over a mountain That's not for little engines for big ones The little engine didn't say anything She just looked up at the mountain loomed high covered in snow and ice It seemed impossible. Come on The big red engine sent You're not going to make it She watched the other engines roll past. Their wheels spinning Their voiceices booming They didn't even stop to look at her. They were too busy too sure of themselves But the little engine stayed where she was It didn't run She didn't have it She just stood there Whi and still waiting for something to happen trarain came. A long line of cars heavy and fall they needed to get to the other side of the mountain But the big engines couldn't do it They were too tired. to warn now They had run too far Can you help us? the conductor asked stepping down from this trarain The little engine nodded I think I can. She moved forward. Her wheels turning slowly but steadily She didn't look back. She didn't hesitate She just kept going pushing the train of the mountain It was hard The wheel sllepped The track was icy The air was thin she kept going Can you do it The conductor asked I think so She said Can you do it The engineer asked I think I can. She said again And with each word, she felt stronger The mountain was still there But she wasn't afraid of it anymore. She climbed higher The snow got deeper. The wind got louder But she didn't stop She kept pushing She kept moving. She didn't think about how far she had to go She just thought about how far she had already come Finally, she reached the top The train rolled over the mountain and the little engine. Let out a deep stududy, Brah She had done it She had pulled the train over the mountain And as you roll down the other side She smiled Can you do it? someomeone asked I think I can, she said. I think I can re fine The little engine keeps going The train had been running for hours aong winding route through the mountains carrying passengers and cargo alike The engine was old but I had a strong heart and never gave up. It just kept moving. the other engines had stopped They had failed. train was stuck passengers were restless The conductor was worried The engine knew It had to do something Can you get us through conductor asked standing beside the engine I think I can. The engineide Are you sure? The conductor asked I'll try The engine said try, the conductor said We can't stay here The engine gave a deep, steady breath that had done this before that it climbed hills cross bridges and move through bad weather It was strong It was determined The train was heavy tracks were steep The engine felt the way, pressing down on it. But it didn't st It just kept moving Come on little engine passenger sat. You can do it The engine didn't answer It just kept going It climbed It's struggled pushed Each step was harder than the last The wheels grown. The steam hist. The engine's body was hot. But it didn't slow down Come on, little engine, the conductor urged You're doing great The engine didn't respond It just kept moving A last top of the hill came into view The engine pushed with all its strength The train inched forward with a final, powerful boost They clear the top The passengers cheer The conductor smiled The engine let out a low, satisfied whistle I did it, the engine said You did, the conductor s You really did. The engine didn't say much after that. It just kept rolling steady and strong headading toward the next challenge It had already proven itself. Now. It just needed to keep going Chapter six The little engine does it The train rolled into the station with a whistle that echoed through the valley The sky was a deep blue And the air smelled like the rain had fallen the night before. The steam engine was the last one that it wasn't looking good B big engines had already lefted. heading toward the city Well this one was left behind alone with a broken wheel heart The train conductor stood beside the engine wiping sweat from his brow He looked at the tiny engine It's metal frame worn and its wheels creaking We can't make it, he said More to himself than anyone else There's no way we're getting over the mountain The little engine have been sitting there all day Waiting They had no passengers No cargo, no destination Just a job to do. that it wasn't working The other engines had already moved on. Leaving it behind like an old toy no one want it anymore Maybe we can try The little engine s. It's voice steady, calm somehow hopeful It wasn't just talking to the conductor. It was talking to itself to the mountain. to the sky Maybe I can do it The conductor looked down at him You're too small You don't have the power I may be small, the little engine replied But I think I can try think I can conductor shook his hand No one's going to ride with you. They're not even running They're just sitting there. I don't need passengers The little engine set I just need to go. care about the track or the distance or the hell I just want to try The conductor looked at the mountain. It was high. But it was steep But the little engine had something. the others didn't Determination and had a heart. Okay, the conductor said finally Let's try The little engine let out a soft low chuff Like a sigh of relief It had been waiting for this moment It didn't feel the weight of the mountain or the fear of failure. It just felt the pull of the task. need to move forward The conductor climbed aboard And the little engine roared to life. big engines had already leftaped This one was different It wasn't built for speed It wasn't built for power for purpose as it began to climb. The wheels screeched against the track The mountain was tall And the climb was hard The little engine didn't stop It didn't slow down It just kept going One step at a time at a time The conductor watched as the little engine struggled But it never gave up It was like watching someone walk along painful road N once turning back just as the top of the mountain came into view a little engine butout a long, powerful chuff It had done it climbed the mountain conductor smile You did it The little engine didn't say anything just let out another soft chop. a sound of pride. of relief. Tumph. and as it rolled past the mountain. The sun broke through the clouds. casting golden light over the track. little engine had done what others thought impossible. in that moment It wasn't just a train promise. Promise that even the smallest of vengeance could move mountains chapter seven The little engine is happy The train tugged along the track It wheels humming with the rhythm of the journey It had been a long day And the engine was exhausted The cars behind it were heavy. filled with boxes and barrels climb ahead was steep The engine's firebox sputter And it's pressure gauge flickked red It wasn't going to make it A big engine the kind they usually took the lead looked back and said I can't do it I'm too tired. the little engine which have been quietly following beh him Turn to ten It had always stayed in the background Never the center of attention But something in the big engine's voice made it step forward. I think I can. it said too loudly. Quiet certainty The big engine sneered You. You're just a small engine. You can pull a single car up this hill. The little engine didn't flinch. I think I can think I can The big engine rolled its eyes You really believe that. You're just a toy. You don't belong here. I don't care what you think, the little engine said tryry. The big engine shrugged and kept moving. leaving the little engine behind The little engine stood alone It's fire burning low wheels spinning in place It took a deep breath Then it started moving sllowly at first then with more determination They pushed against the weight of the train It steamed hissing as it worked harder ever had before. cars groaned under the strain A few boxes tipped over But the little train kept going I could feel the pressure rising The heat building But it didn't stop The hill was steep Climb was hard The little engines's pistons grown And its wheels squeaked with every effort But it didn't give up. It just kept moving One step at a time. as it climbed higher The world around it began to change The trees grew thinner the air cooler And the sun peeped through the clouds. The little engine was gaining on the big engine But it still had a long way to go just as the little engine reached the top bigig engine turned around. It saw the little engine strruggling still pushing forward and its expression changed They looks surprised You did it The big engine s almost in disbelief. The little engine stopped. It's breath heavy It's firebox still smoldering I thought I couldn't It's a Ia big engine stared at it for a moment thenen turned away You're now what I thought It said quietly The little engine didn't respond It just stood there. lookingooking down the other side of the hill where the track stretched out into the distance It wasn't sure what came next But for the first time It felt something it had never felt before. They fell proud and happy notot because it had one but because it a tried that it had kept going The little engine is praised. the little blue engine chargalon It's wheels spinning with determination The train had been stuck for hours The mountain was too steep. The other engines had given up They had rolled back down the track. muttering about their limits We can't do one of them said We're not built for this The little blue engine wasn't built for it either. But I had a job to do that it wasn't ready to quit They looked up at the mountain Its face lit by the glow of the train's light. It wasn't afraid. It didn't have the strength of the bigger engines But I had something else I think I can It said quietly The train crew didn't hear at first They were too busy arguing But the little engine repeated itself Louder this time I think I can I think I can conductor turned and ook at the small engine You're too small. You've never done something like this before Right now The engineer but I want to try The conductor shook his head. You're not billt for this You'll just fall apart. I'll try the engine to I'll try the conductor side Okay But if you fail They'll be stuck here for good I know, the engines are I'll try Push forward. The weight of the train pressing down on its tiny frame The wheels grown Boiler hisist the engine didn't stop They moved. sllowly at first then faster as of something inside of had finally clicked into place. The other engines watched ome with curiosity some with down The little engine cllimbed higher. One foot at a time. Inch by endch It was hard The climb was steeper than I had imagined. The engine steam started to sputter The train groaned under the strain The little engine felt like it was going to break Ging Then suddenly It reached the top. The train rolled forward. And the little engine stopped Its wheels spinning in place It was panting Exhausting But I had done it conductor stepped forward H expression stunned You did it The little engine looked up at him breathing heavily think I can The other engines stared in silence One by one They started to cheer Wow, said one That was amazing said another He really did it The little engine smilile. tired, but proud climb the mountain notot because it was strong. because it believed it could. the world had finally seen it chapter nine The little engine becomes famous The little engine and never felt so small It sat on the tracks It's metal frame rusted Its wheels barely turning It was just one of many engines that have been left behind when the big ones went to the other side of the mountain. No one remembered its name No one cared. It had spent years waiting for a chance to do something anythingything prove it was more than just a forgotten toy One morning a group of toys gathered around the tracks A train of dolls cars and a long line of boxes stood in the line waiting for someone to pull them B engines that usually did the job had all gone to the other side. Toy train wasn't moving. I think we can do it. One of the dolls, I Her voice was weak We don't have any choice etcet if we don't get moving We'll be stuck here forever. The little engine looked up. small frame, trembling. It had never been asked to do anything like this before The big engines had always taken the work But now they were gone in the little engine was all there was left. I'll do it. It's on It voice barely above a whisper The other toys turn to look at it A few of them laugh You one of the boxes out You can't even move I can the little engine one. I just have to try It backed up. gathered at strength and pushed forward The wheels clanked The gearars grown and the little engine felt every bit of the weight pressing down on it It wasn't easy It wasn't even close to easy But it kept going One of the toys tried to help pussing from the back doll's chair boxes clink together like they were excited The little engine. didn' stop didn't even slow down Climb the first hill. Then the second and the third. The tracks were rough cllimb a step And the little engine fllt like it would break apart But he kept going. When I reached the top The other side of the mountain was just ahead. The big engines had left the tracks empty the little engine wasn't alone anymore Tys that follow They were all watching They were all believing The little engine looked back at the line of toys and boxes took a deep breath pushed with everything at It didn't stop It didn't falter didnn't even look back And then J just as it reached the other side A shot went up You did it Dell's cry You're the best. booxes, chair The little engine turned around and saw the line of toys behind it All moving forward It had done what no one thought it could. Fr that day on The little engine was famous. Not because it was big or strong but because it had never stopped believing it could And when the time came It had done what the others couldn't The little engine had become something more It wasn't just a toy anymore It was a legend And the was the most powerful thing of all Chapter ten. The little engine helps again The train had been moving for hours cars clanking and groaning as they rattled along the tracks The little blue engine was tired. Not just physically, but mentally The work was hard. The day is long And the climb ahead was steeper than usual The other engines had gone ahead leeave inin the little one behind stranded and out of fuel. The little engine stood at the base of a long hill It's wheels spinning in place smoke curling from its stack They looked up at the incline then down at the line of cars waiting behind you. Cars were're all tired too They had no energy lap No steam No hope. I think I can The little engine set It's a voice quiet Almost do itself I think I can. It said again, louder this time. as of saying it out loud I make it real The cars looked at it waiting for something Maybe a miracle Maybe a solution with the little engine just shook its head. then a voice spoke It wasn't loud I had a calm, steady sound to it I think I can I think I can think I can The little engine turned A small voice a small car Maybe even a small train was standing there It was a simple looking engine. All blue and silver with a friendly face and a determined look in its eyes I can help you. The engine set The little engine looked surprised. You You don't even have enough steam to move yourself I don't small engine so But I do have a lot of heart And I think I can. The cars watched in silent No one said anything. No one moved They just stared at the small engine waiting for it to do something. I think I can The small engine set again. and this time started to move They rolled forward slowly, carefully testing the weight of the world on its back The little engine watched. Unsure Cars watch too Some of them didn't believe it Others didn't know what to think The small engine pushed and the line of cars started to move just a little much But enough to show that it was possible I think I can. The small engine said again. pushed harder. The little engine looked back at the small engine. And then at the line of cars And then back at the small engine took a deep breath I think I can. It's an and it started to move to together they climb Not fast, not easy. declimb The little engine was tired And the small engine was worn down They kept going I think I can The small enginine s Its voice growing weaker I think I can the little engine s H voice growing stronger They reach the time. The line of cars crested the hill and the little engine Let out a big deep breath The small engine stopped and looked at the little engine I think I can. It's a collapsed into a heap of steam exhausted metal. little engine Look at the small engine Th at the cars behind it I think I can. It's a And it started moving again. This time alone The cars follow And a little engine new. Even though it was tire. evenven though it had been pushed to its limits could do it It had done it before And they would do it again because that's what engines do And that's what Hope does It gets you up and over Even when you're not sure, you can. Thank you for listening to Sleepy. Gy