Air date: October 14, 1996
Thomas Stories: Four Little Engines, Trouble for Thomas, Toad Stands By, Thomas Saves the Day, Rusty Helps Peter Sam
As the episode begins, Mr. Conductor is at the park struggling to keep a cookie from being snatched by a bird. The cookie is intended to be a gift to his neighbors, the squirrels. He berates the wild animals' bad manners as being comparable to those of coaches. The animals continue to pester Mr. Conductor for his cookie. He comments that freight cars are even more badly behaved than coaches. Back in the park, Mr. Conductor sits on a bench and waits for the squirrels to arrive. He complains that they are late as usual and aren't dependable creatures. He goes on to say that these particular squirrels are cheekier than most. Next, Mr. Conductor has to fend off a mouse's attempt to take the cookie. He calls mice, birds and squirrels pests who are nothing but trouble, just like freight cars in the story. A robin chirps at Mr. Conductor, who insists that the squirrels are indeed coming. Annoyed at their tardiness, Mr. Conductor ponders whether to instead give the cookie to Mr. Robin. He states that these squirrels are as thoughtless as freight cars. Mr. Conductor says goodbye to the squirrels after successfully delivering the cookie. He's very sorry to have called them pests, but still compares them to railroad cars; they're best once they've been trained, and laughs at the pun he just made.
Tropes featured in this episode:
- Bottle Episode: Exactly two backgrounds are used throughout the entire episode, and Mr. Conductor is the only character present.
- Laughing at Your Own Jokes: Mr. Conductor states that railroad cars are best once they've been trained. He then proceeds to laugh, realizing the pun he made.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: We see Mr. Conductor get really angry when animals try to take his cookie. He apologizes to them at the end of the episode.
