Tillie’s Determination

Once upon a time in a bustling train yard, there lived a little blue steam engine named Tillie. Tillie wasn’t the biggest or the fastest, but she had a heart full of determination and a willingness to help others.

One sunny morning, a big red engine named Rusty arrived at the train yard. Rusty was carrying a heavy load of toys and goodies for the children in the nearby town. However, Rusty’s engine suddenly sputtered and stopped. “Oh no!” cried Rusty. “I can’t deliver these toys on time now.”

Tillie, overhearing Rusty’s distress, chugged over. “I may be small, but I can help,” she said with a determined smile.

Rusty was skeptical. “You’re too tiny, Tillie. You’ll never make it over the hill with all these toys.”

But Tillie was not discouraged. She hooked herself up to Rusty’s train and started uphill. The hill was steep, and the load was heavy, but Tillie kept repeating to herself, “I think I can, I think I can.”

As Tillie climbed higher and higher, her determination grew stronger. She refused to give up, even when her wheels spun and the strain was immense. With each puff of steam, Tillie pushed forward, encouraged by the thought of bringing joy to the children.

Finally, after a long and challenging journey, Tillie reached the top of the hill. The town was just ahead, and the children’s laughter could be heard in the distance.

Rusty, amazed by Tillie’s perseverance, exclaimed, “You did it, Tillie! You really could!”

Tillie smiled proudly. She had proven that size didn’t matter when you had a heart full of determination. And from that day on, Tillie became known as the little engine that could, inspiring others with her courage and willpower.