Airdate: October 11, 2010 (UK); November 14, 2010 (US)
A new animal park is being built on Sodor and Thomas is called upon to deliver a giraffe to it as Percy delivers leaves, Edward delivers apples, and Gordon takes the Mayor and Sir Topham Hatt to open the park. Cranky tells Thomas to wait for the giraffe's keeper but Thomas wants to show the giraffe to the children and leaves without waiting for the giraffe's keeper. Thomas runs into trouble when the giraffe would not follow his orders and lie down to allow Thomas to go under a bridge. Gordon comes from behind with the Mayor and Sir Topham Hatt on his express. Seeing the giraffe blocking his way, Gordon tells Thomas to go back to the Docks for the keeper, but Thomas thinks the giraffe will do what he tells him and goes to a siding to allow Gordon to pass.
Edward arrives and Thomas asks him if the giraffe could eat some of his apples so he could lay down, but as soon as the giraffe eats all the apples, he still will not lie down. Edward is not happy about this and tells Thomas to go back to the Docks for the giraffe keeper, but Thomas still thinks the giraffe will do what he says and Edward leaves. Then Percy arrives and Thomas asks him if the giraffe could have some leaves and Percy is happy to help his best friend. After playing with the leaves and eating them, the giraffe finally lies down and Thomas and Percy chuff to the animal park.
But when they arrive, the Mayor and Sir Topham Hatt are cross after waiting a long time for the giraffe, who will not wake up. Thomas knows what must be done and goes back to the docks to collect the keeper. After taking him to the animal park, Thomas goes to get fresh leaves and apples to replace the ones the giraffe ate and returns to the Animal Park with them. The giraffe immediately follows its keeper's orders and even turns its attention to Thomas, who whistles with joy at seeing it awake. Thomas gets his photograph taken with his new tall friend.
Tropes:
- An Aesop: Animals will only listen to the person who trained them.
- Artistic License – Biology: The giraffe lies down to sleep so Thomas can pass the bridge; in reality, most giraffes sleep standing up.
- Group Picture Ending: The episode ends as Thomas gets his picture taken with the giraffe.
