The Little Engine That Could

In the original story, a little railroad engine was employed at a station yard for pulling a few cars on and off the switches. One morning it was waiting for the next call when a long train of freight-cars asked a large engine in the roundhouse to take it over the hill. "I can't; that is too much a pull for me", said the great engine built for hard work. Then the train asked another engine, and another, only to hear excuses and be refused. In desperation, the train asked the little switch engine to draw it up the grade and down on the other side. "I think I can", puffed the little locomotive, and put itself in front of the great heavy train. As it went on the little engine kept bravely puffing faster and faster, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."

As it neared the top of the grade, which had so discouraged the larger engines, it went more slowly. However, it still kept saying, "I—think—I—can, I—think—I—can." It reached the top by drawing on bravery and then went on down the grade, congratulating itself by saying, "I thought I could, I thought I could."

Or the adult version, “Mind over Matter, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”  My old boss J. Pauper used to tell me during training in New York Center when the odds were against me.

“Are you taking a picture of my green weenie?”

Today’s challenge is both physical and mental.  Larry’s obstacles are two enormous mountain passes, over 100 miles of road to cover, and fatigue from yesterday’s mountain pass.  He began questioning his ability last night, in all manners of negative possibilities.  

Putting on the shoes.

Dogs are watching.

The sympathetic coach that I am not, said, “Nobody’s making you do this.  You wanted to do this.  Remember the little engine that could?  Just remember, ‘I think I can.  I think I can.’”

Puppies ready for another day of travel.

And Larry’s off, day three.