When the Stegosaurus Disaster Relief Agency had secured safety for the distressed mammals in Texas, USA I took the Moa Birds up on their invitation and floated forthrightly on my raft to New Zealand where I spent the Thanksgiving holidays.

We spent much of our relaxing time on South Island, though we also spent some time grazing on Stewart Island as well. As their guest, I let them choose the place to graze. In my time there, it rained very much, but that isn't unusual in New Zealand; I like it because it makes the verdure grow. 80% of the flora is native. I love the mosses and lichen in New Zealand; it does not taste as good anywhere else.

Every now and again I stood on my hind legs to reach a branch or two from the abundant Fagaceae or Agathis australis trees. But for the most part, I was content with my low hanging vegetation as I remembered my vet's advice regarding large tree consumption. It was such a relaxing time, particularly after all our hard work in Texas.


And then, just when we were content along came a Haast's Eagle, I presume looking for dinner. I alerted my Moa friends to run and hide as quickly as they could; they fled for the safe cover of the deep forests but this left me alone on the plains, and suddenly the primary target of the Haast's Eagle, a determined and vicious hunter. It was a female, which was the largest of the species.

"Hello, dinner! Not only am I hungry, but I also have young to feed!" said the Haast's Eagle.

She latched one claw into one of my spiff, sexy plates, and the other into my right upper side. She was surprised, as she is used to dining on Moas which weigh much less than I do, and she could not carry me off.

"I know you've got to eat, but you're just going to have to find something else!" Stegosaurus said.

"Oh, please." said the Haast's Eagle.

"Don't make me whack you. Please let go!"

"No, you are mine!"

"All right then! You are warned! I don't really want to do this, but you have forced me to react in defense!"

As the eagle attempted to lift me, I swung my cool, spiky tail around aimed at her left wing.

"Oh no you don't!" Stegosaurus exclaimed. The Haast's Eagle is a bird of prey so she was very quick. Thus Stegosaurus missed both her wing and her side. In her surprise though she let his plate go.

"Good luck with your hunting, but you cannot eat me or any of my friends!"

"Not today," she agreed. "I had not anticipated a Stegosaurus here; you are not my normal prey."

"Hunt elsewhere. I will not let you eat my friends!" Stegosaurus declared.

"Very well!" said she, and the Haast's Eagle flew away. When she was gone, the Moas came out from their hiding places.

"It is such good fortune for us that you came to visit friend Stegosaurus!" said Moa.

"The Haast's Eagles have lost the hunt today. We are all lucky to have survived this day. That was a little more bird watching than I had planned, but it is a risk we take in this wonderful land; I
still consider them beautiful birds but I won't let them eat you. You will be safe while I am here." said Stegosaurus.

"You are a true friend, we are thankful for your loyalty to us. Come let us return to relaxing grazing on the plains."


We saw Haast's Eagles in the distance, but ever after they did not bother us, and at the behest of the Moas I remained in New Zealand longer than I had originally planned. I returned home in mid
December, as I was expecting my cousin Lexovissaurus and his wife for the Christmas holiday. But, I love to visit New Zealand. It is my second home. The verdure is great and the hospitality of the
Moas is second to none. I highly recommend it, but I advise you to keep the Haast's Eagles at a distance! They're beautiful but dangerous!