Sprocket the Little Racing Car

In Grandad's old barn, where the sweet hay lay, The dust danced in sunbeams that brightened the day. Tucked in a corner, beneath a sheet, Slept a little green car on four dusty feet. Alfie pulled off the sheet. WHOOSH! There he was! A little green racer, all covered in dust. Alfie looked at his headlamps. One gave a blink. Then Sprocket went quiet. "I think... I think..."

"Ah-CHOO!" went the car, and the cat shot away! A cloud of dust floated up into the day. "I'm Sprocket! I'm speedy, I'm little, I'm green! The fastest small racer you've ever seen!" Alfie laughed. "Bless you! It's lovely to meet you. Let's get you all clean. There's a racer beneath you!"

Out came a bucket, a sponge and a cloth. They scrubbed at the dirt and they washed it all off. They splashed and they swished till the bubbles took flight, And Sprocket shone green in the warm golden light. His wheels gave a wiggle. His engine went putt! "I'm ready to race! Come on, let's get up!" Alfie grinned. "Look at you! You're ready to race!" And Sprocket's two headlamps lit up his face.

Next morning, a poster was there for all to see: THE GREAT HILL RACE! COME AND RACE WITH ME! There'd be a big trophy for whoever won, And a cheering crowd when the race was done. Sprocket looked up at the long, winding hill. His engine went quiet. His wheels stood still. "I used to be fastest, the best of them all. But I'm little and old. What if I fall?" "Little is clever," said Alfie with a grin. "And rattly's your song. Come on, let's begin!"

They practised at sunset, around the farm track, Then whizzed round the barn and came racing right back. "Putt-putt-putt, and off we dart! A little old car with a great big heart!" They zipped past the hay bales and raced past the sheep. They practised and practised, then fell fast asleep. Alfie wiped Sprocket and patted his side. "Tomorrow's the big day. I'll be right by your side!"

Race day arrived, and the crowd gathered round. Big cars revved their engines with a loud, rumbly sound. The big red car shouted, "Make way! Make way! A rattly old car won't win here today!" Sprocket's wheels trembled. His engine felt small. The other cars looked like giants and all. Alfie leaned close. "Remember our song. We've practised together. Now let's race along!" "Ready... steady..." the starter cried out. GO! shouted the crowd with a great big shout!

Up the hill, round the bends, little Sprocket flew, While the big cars went wide and he zipped right through. He passed the yellow one, then number two, Then zoomed past the blue with a "Putt-putt-WHEW!" The leaves spun around like confetti in flight. Sprocket was racing with all of his might! "Small IS clever!" cried Alfie. "We're catching them all!" And Sprocket felt ten feet tall!

But the big red car skidded. SPLASH! In the mud! His wheels spun and spun, but he stayed in the sludge. The blue car raced past, then the silver one too, While the red driver groaned, "What am I going to do?" Sprocket looked back. The finish was near. He'd practised for weeks. He'd wanted this all year. Then he saw the red driver's sad, muddy face. "Alfie," he said, "we can't leave him in this place."

"But he laughed at you!" Alfie said with a frown. "He said you were too old to race round this town!" Sprocket looked back at the mud and the mess. He remembered the years he'd spent all alone. "I know how it feels when you're stuck on your own. Let's help him get out. He shouldn't be left alone." "Fetch me a rope! We'll give him a pull. I'm little and old, but I've still got some puff!"

Alfie tied the rope tight, then gave Sprocket a nod. Sprocket dug in his wheels and gave all he had got. Putt-putt-PULL! But the red car stayed stuck. Putt-putt-PULL! Still stuck in the muck! He puffed and he puffed, and his little wheels spun. Then SPLOOOOSH! Out popped the red car. They'd done it! They'd won! The red driver climbed out, all muddy and red. "Thank you!" he cried. "I'm sorry," he said. "You could have raced on, but you stopped to help me. Now let's race together! Come on, one, two, three!"

So up the hill went the red car and green, With the happiest crowd that the hill had seen. They rumbled and rattled, side by side, With Alfie cheering and beaming with pride. The red car slowed down as they neared the line. "Go on, little Sprocket! It's your turn to shine!" The crowd gave a cheer that rang through the air, And they sang Sprocket's song for all to share. "Putt-putt-putt, and off we dart! A little old car with a great big heart!"

Now, who won the trophy? Who took home the cup? The crowd gathered round as the judge held it up. "This cup is for kindness, for helping a friend, For being a helper right to the end!" And Sprocket rolled forward, all muddy and green, The kindest small racer the hill had seen. He gazed at the trophy, all golden and bright. "Fifty years in the dark, and what a day! I've raced, made a friend, and helped someone too. There's nothing better a little car can do!" Alfie held up the cup. "Same time next year?" Putt-putt-putt. That meant yes.