Life in the big city was in full swing. The sidewalks were bustling with people and streams of cars flowed through the streets. Taxicabs, buses, and trains ran from early morning until late at night delivering passengers to their destinations. They tried very hard to make sure everyone was on time.
The seats of all the buses were filled with people except for one little bus named Speedy. He always ran empty. Speedy was a very restless and self-centered bus. In the mornings, when people rushed to work, he carelessly sped through the streets, splashing through puddles, blowing hats off the heads of pedestrians, honking noisily at intersections, and never, ever stopping to pick up passengers.
"Where are you going?" people would shout after him, "Take us, we are in a hurry!"
"There is no time!" Speedy would answer. "I have an urgent matter to take care of."
However, there was nothing that Speedy needed to do. He was simply busy enjoying himself, looking in all directions, trying to see everything around him.
Large buses gave Speedy, the troublemaker, reproachful stares, and taxicabs often tried to find something useful for him to do.
"Look, there is an old man with a heavy bag sitting at the bus stop," they would point out. "Why don't you take him home?"
"I'm too busy," Speedy would answer. "I need to get to the city park. There is a holiday show starting soon."
Speedy never even opened his doors. That's how stubborn he was.
In the evenings, he continued making mischief by speeding along the highway weaving in and out of lanes.
And as the city fell asleep, Speedy would head to his garage.
"What did you see today?" the car washing machine asked him every night, as it tickled him with its furry brushes.
"I saw children going on a class trip to the movies," Speedy answered.
"Did you give them a ride?"
"No way! They leave behind so much trash!" Speedy would say, frowning.
One day during rush hour, impatient Speedy tried to sneak around a huge traffic jam by cutting through a narrow alley. All of a sudden, he saw a man rushing toward him. Annoyed, Speedy flashed his lights and blasted his horn, but the man stood firmly in place, blocking Speedy's path.
"Take me to the hospital," the man pleaded. "My son is very ill. Wait here, I'll be right back."
As the man disappeared into the building, it occurred to Speedy that he could leave. No one was there to stop him. But something forced him to stay. Soon, the man returned, carrying a little boy in his arms, and for the first time ever Speedy opened his door to let passengers in.
"It's all up to you now, little bus!" the man said. "Hurry, but please don't hurt anyone."
If there was one thing that Speedy could do well, it was hurry. And, he knew all the ins and outs of the city, so he took the shortest path to the hospital. In no time at all, they were at the emergency room entrance.
The man was amazed. "Thank you, little bus! You were a true help to us," he said as the hospital attendants placed the boy on a stretcher. As they rushed him away, the boy glanced at Speedy and gave him a weak smile.
Long after they vanished behind the hospital doors, Speedy stood there, thinking about what had just happened. He felt his little engine heart skipping beats. The sun set; the street lights came on, but Speedy stood still waiting by the hospital entrance.
Finally he saw the boy's father exiting through the doors.
"Hey, buddy!" the man called to Speedy with a broad smile on his face.
No one had ever called Speedy "buddy" before. It felt really nice.
"Were you worried?" the father asked. "Well, there is no need to be. Everything is fine now. You came just in time. The doctors are taking care of my son and he will be coming home in two days."
Speedy honked loudly with joy. He drove the man home, then headed to the garage, tired but happy.
Early the next morning, as the boy's parents walked out of their door to go to the hospital, Speedy was already waiting to take them. He had a present for the boy on the back seat. It was a new colorful map of the city, with all the different routes, parks, museums, movie theaters, and other attractions.
Speedy spent the whole day by the hospital. He did not leave even for a second because he was afraid to miss the boy's parents. Finally they appeared in the doorway and waved to him.
"Our son sends a big hello!" they yelled.
Speedy's face lit up, and his headlights began to emanate a warm glow.
They agreed to pick up the boy from the hospital, together, at nine in the morning. Speedy headed back to the garage. Filled with a new feeling of warmth, joy, and excitement, he decided to begin a new life.
In the morning, Speedy stood by the hospital doors, trembling with anticipation with his engine heart knocking louder than ever. Suddenly, the boy burst out from the doors and ran over to him, shrieking cheerfully. He treated Speedy like a friend he hadn't seen in ages.
"Hello!" the boy said. "I'm so glad you're here. I have so much to tell you!"
And this is how Speedy became friends with the boy. He became friends not only with the boy and his family, but Speedy also became friends with the whole city because he realized what a great benefit he can be to people and what a great joy that was.
Now Speedy is the first bus on the cool pavement of the early morning streets. He picks up the first passengers at the bus stops. He is always on time, and politely greets everyone who comes through his doors. Taxicabs wink at him playfully as they drive by, and large buses simply adore him.
"Enough work for you today, buddy?" the car washing machine asks him.
"One's strength never ceases when one helps others!" Speedy answers with a happy smile.
