Pippin's Big Adventure

Pippin was a clever rat

He had a ragged ear

He lived inside a cosy house

And had no need to fear

As summer days grew long and hot

He wanted to explore

A trip away to somewhere cold

Or a visit to the shore

His big grey friend was not as keen

He wanted to remain

“I’ve seen the world out there,” he said

“But I’ll help you to the train.”

The train was huge and very loud

As it began to move

Pippin waved his friends goodbye

He had a lot to prove

The train rocked gently side to side

Pippin began to snooze

He didn’t feel the speed increase

As the engine blew a fuse

His ragged ear first heard the noise

Of panicked screams and cries

As he woke up and raised his head

He could not believe his eyes

Everyone was panicking

And trying to escape

The brake cord had been snapped in half

Pippin watched them all agape

The view outside was just a blur

A mass of blue and green

Pippin wondered what he’d say

When asked just where he’d been

Suddenly he thought ahead

To where the train would stop

If not slowed down they’d go straight through

And fly off the cliff top

Pippin couldn’t leave it there

The train needed to slow

As everyone else was panicking

He would have to go

There were three whole carriages

Between Pippin and his goal

He also didn’t know a thing

About the train’s controls

Pippin refused to think of that

He had to work it out

He made his way towards the door

Trying not to doubt

The aisle was very crowded

Nobody would move

Pippin wanted to scream out

Or give them all a shove

Eventually he wriggled through

But his progress was slow

Pippin knew he had to find

A better way to go

“Wren should have come,” he said aloud

“His wings would let him fly.”

The train lurched and Pippin fell

And gave a tiny cry.

“Are you okay?” a soft voice asked.

A paw was offered down

Pippin took it gratefully

Brushing himself down

The speaker was another rat

The prettiest he’d seen

Pippin had to fight the urge

To try to primp and preen

“Thank you,” he said finally

“I am fine for now.

“We have to reach the engine soon

“And stop the train somehow.”

“What can we do?” his new friend asked

“This train is going to crash.

“I’m going to enjoy the ride

“Right up to the smash.”

Pippin struggled to believe

That she would want to die

He stepped past her towards the door

“Well I am going to try.”

“What’s your name?” the new rat asked

“Emily is mine.

“A hero surely has a name.

“I’m sure it’s very fine.”

“Pippin,” said our hero

Trying not to blush

“I really have to go on now

I really have to rush.”

Emily followed him

He couldn’t guess just why

He didn’t want to ask her that

It risked making her cry

The middle carriage stood empty

Pippin ran right through

With Emily close behind

This luck felt overdue

“That was quick,” said Emily

“Are you always this fast?”

“Only when I need to be,”

Pippin gasped at last.

His heart was beating very hard

As he opened the door

He wanted just to get this done

He couldn’t take much more

He should have known much better,

He would later think

His luck had never been that good

Now all he could do was blink

The carriage was completely full

And luggage filled the aisle

Pippin fought the sting of tears

His stomach filled with bile

Emily caught up with him

Her eyes went very wide

Pippin took and squeezed her paw

“We’ll still get there,” he cried

Desperately he stared around

There had to be a way.

“We have to clear a path,” he said

“Then we will be okay.”

The nearest case was big and square

Pippin picked it up

He threw it back towards the door

As weakly as a pup.

A portly mouse got to his feet

“That isn’t yours!” he cried

Pippin just ignored his shout

And took it in his stride

Emily was not as calm

She rounded on the mouse

“You should help us,” she sternly said

“At least you shouldn’t grouse.”

With Emily right by his side

Pippin’s hope began to grow

Case by case they moved along

But it was really slow

A blast of noise made him jump

Just as they reached the end

The train’s horn was deafening

As it went around a bend

Emily closed her eyes

And sank onto the floor

“We’ve reached the town,” she softly said

“I can’t do any more.”

“Then you wait here,” said Pippin

“I will stop the train.

“Then we can go and get ice cream

And then head home again.”

The engine’s cap was full of noise

And it was very hot

The driver was a squirrel

With his tail trapped in a slot

Pippin ran to free the tail

But he was pushed away

“Just pull the brake!” the squirrel cried

“Stop this train today!”

Pippin quickly found the brake

And pulled it really hard

A sudden squeal cut through the air

As sharp as a glass shard

The train began to slow at once

And coasted to a stop

Pippin collapsed onto the floor

His ears trying to pop

The squirrel’s tail was soon freed

But it was torn and bent

The squirrel beamed and shook his paw

Saying he was heaven sent

Pippin gladly left the train

And went down to the beach

Emily soon found him there

With an ice cream for them each

They spent the day just having fun

Before heading home again

This time they both took a cab

And not aboard a train!