The Little Engine That Could
Quick Answer
A small engine takes on a big hill to deliver toys and food when stronger engines refuse. With the steady mantra “I think I can,” it models perseverance in a gentle, hopeful way—perfect for bedtime confidence.
Why This Story Works for Bedtime
The repetition is soothing, and the emotional tone stays encouraging rather than intense. Kids fall asleep with a simple inner message: trying matters, and small helpers can do brave things.
Story at a Glance
RECOMMENDED AGES
5-9 years
READING TIME
9 min
Story Synopsis
A train carrying wonderful things for children—teddy bears, dolls, and good food—breaks down before it can cross a tall mountain. One by one, larger engines pass by and refuse to help. The toys and treats wait, worried they won’t arrive in time. Then a little blue engine comes along. She isn’t the biggest or the strongest, but she agrees to try. As she pulls the heavy cars up the steep hill, she repeats a brave, steady phrase: “I think I can… I think I can…” Slowly, the little engine climbs higher. Near the top, she’s tired, but she keeps going. At last she reaches the other side and delivers everything safely. The story leaves children with quiet courage: effort plus hope can move us forward, even when a task feels too big.
Story Excerpt
Chug chug chug Puff puff puff Ding dong ding dong A little train rumbled along the tracks feeling happy and proud She had such a jolly load to carry cars filled with good things for boys and girls on the other side of the mountain There were toy animals giraffes with long necks Teddy bears with almost no necks at all and even a baby elephant There were dolls too dolls with blue eyes and yellow curls dolls with brown eyes and neat brown bobs and the gayest little toy clown you ever did see And there were cars full of toy engines aeroplanes tops jack knives picture puzzles books and every kind of thing a boy or girl might wish for But that was not all Some cars carried good things to eat big golden oranges red cheeked apples bottles of creamy milk for breakfast fresh spinach for dinner peppermint drops and lollypops for after meal treats The little train puffed along thinking of the children waiting beyond the mountain Then all of a sudden she stopped with a jerk She tried to go on She tried and tried But her wheels would not turn How were the good little boys and girls on the other side of the mountain going to manage without the jolly toys to play with and the wholesome food to eat Here comes…
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In One Glance
In The Little Engine That Could, a train of toys and food needs help crossing a mountain after its engine breaks. Bigger engines refuse, but a small blue engine agrees to try. Repeating “I think I can,” she pulls the load up the hill and succeeds. The tale emphasizes perseverance and gentle confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
A small engine helps deliver toys and food over a mountain when other engines refuse.
No—there’s a challenge and some worry, but the tone stays hopeful and the ending is safe and happy.
Trying matters. A small helper can do big things with patience and confidence.
Repeat the mantra softly together and connect it to a small “tomorrow” challenge—like tying shoes or starting a new day.