Air date: February 3rd, 2010 (UK), September 25th, 2010 (US)
Farmer Trotter asks Thomas to collect some straw for the piglets, which are soon to be born. But on the way, Thomas sees other things he thinks the piglets will like, so he collects milk from Percy, apples from James and chestnuts from the children, completely filling his flatbed. When Thomas gets to Mc Coll Farm, Farmer Mc Coll tells Thomas that there is no room for the straw. So, Thomas takes the unusual cargo to Farmer Trotter, who tells Thomas that piglets do not like apples, chestnuts and milk as the straw is the main priority as soon as they are born. Farmer Trotter tells Thomas to empty his flatbed and collect the straw. On the way, Percy and James try to tell Thomas their ideas about what the piglets would like, but Thomas has no time to listen to them as he is running late. Finally, Thomas collects the straw from Farmer Mc Coll and rushes back to the pig farm. Thomas cannot see the pigs, thinking he is too late, but Farmer Trotter tells him that he is just in time. One of the piglets takes a shine to Thomas, so Farmer Trotter names the piglet Thomas.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- An Aesop: Always get whatever someone asked you to and nothing else.
- Luminescent Blush: Thomas after realizing his mistake and when Farmer Trotter names one of his piglets after him.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Thomas feels this way after learning from Farmer Trotter that the soon-to-be-born pigs won't like what he brought back and they need their straw as they will be born any minute.
- One-Steve Limit: Defied; Farmer Trotter names one of the piglets after Thomas in honor of the events of the day.
- Rhymes on a Dime: Thomas repeatedly as he tries to do his job right and get the straw.
- Rule of Three: Thomas winds up collecting milk, apples and chestnuts. Those are things pigs like, but newborn pigs need their straw.
- Unwitting Instigator of Doom: A visit from Percy who's delivering milk is what causes Thomas to stray away from what he's supposed to do.
