Tubby Tug

Tubby lived on a river

He was a small fat tug with very strong engines

He was painted black all over

With a red funnel and a thick red line all round his sides

His job was to move large ships around the docks

He had to push and pull them into place

Sometimes he had to tow barges of goods

Or ships and boat with broken engines

 

He had to go where they were sent by the harbour master

The harbour master Mr Makepeace was in charge of all the boats and ships on the river

Mr Makepeace would tell Tubby's driver Mr Goodman where they were needed

And what they had to do

Today a big ship had become stuck across the river

Its captain "Captain Longboat" had measured incorrectly

The ship was longer then the river width

Now it was unable to move

No other boats could move up or down

 

Mr Makepeace collected some strong cables to pull the boat with and placed them on Tubby's deck

Then the set off up the river to find out what had happened and how to get the boat free

They passed all the boats waiting to get on with their journeys

"Come on slow coach"

"What has been holding you"

"We need to get on - I have work to do"

Tubby just ignored them

He didn't have time for their comments and jibes

 

When they got to the ship It was really stuck

Right across the river

The front against a wall

The rear stuck in a muddy bank

You cant do this titch the boat said

Your to small. It needs a big strong boat

Tubby just said "Wait and see - I could just leave you stuck here forever"

 

The heavy strong cable was made fast to the front of the ship and

                           on to the towing point at the back of Tubby

Tubby slowly moved back to make the cable tight

The big boat said "Told you - you couldn't do it"

Tubby set his strong engine to full power

The river churned as he applied full force

At first the big ship didn't move

It said "Told you - go and bring a bigger ship"

 

Slowly the ship began to move away from the wall

Tubby pulled until the ship was in the centre of the river

Pointing towards the sea

"Who said I couldn't do it" Tubby asked the big ship

"I new I could do it"

 

Now the river was clear for all the other boats to get on with their journeys

"Good job Tubby" "Thanks Tubby" They called as they went on their way

Mr Goodman Collected the strong cable and they set off for home

When they arrived Mr Makepeace was waiting for them

"Thank you Tubby!

That was a good job done

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

This would make a good story for children in a book with illustrations. Remember Thomas the Tank Engine? Well you could have Tubby the Tug. I can picture it now. Tubby the Tug with a nice friendly face, and Mr Makepeace and Mr Goodman. Have you always been a storyteller?

Chris

[Wild Rose]

Thank you Chris
No I haven't been a story teller
I was an engineering lecturer Had to teach how industrial control instruments worked - smoke detectors, instruments to measure water flow and levels - This was intended as a childrens story > Think Thomas is great
How is it for length would it be ok for children

[sette]

and it is a good story for the children

[Wild Rose]

Thanks > It was aimed at Children and grown ups who like short easy to read stories

[Laurierose]

I did enjoy reading this. I like how cohesive the story was and how easy it was to follow along. It makes me want to close my eyes and imagine such characters. Very interesting. Very unique. Great read.

[Wild Rose]

Thank you for a very encouraging review
I have ideas for more adventures
Oh and as I type this how about "Colin the camper van" >> he could go on our travels

[Laurierose]

Sounds great; I'd love to hear about his tale.