"On January 4th I was visited by Congresssaurus Triceratops, lately retired from Congress, who related to me that he was glad to have left Washington, DC and the title of Congresssaurus behind him," said Stegosaurus. "He stomped from Washington, DC to Colorado right away, and was enthusiastic to tell me of his retirement plans and reason for his visit."
"I too, have read the book Gulliver's Travels and like you am fascinated by the idea of extracting sunlight from cucumbers," said Triceratops. "I came here because I thought I might spend my retirement years in the tranquil pursuits of science. After 70 million years of public service, I have left the Nation's Capitol and the work of a public servant behind. The time has come; my monument is no longer in danger, so I will be remembered when I am nothing but a fossil memory and Capitolsaurus has been appointed to replace me as the Spokes dinosaur for the Dinosaur Congressional Caucus. I have no fear for the future but whatever time is left to me in the world I want to spend it at peace, and though at present I feel as healthy as the day I left my shell, I know the motion of my blood no longer keeps pace with the rigors of political life. "
"I am glad to see you and glad to have you here," said Stegosaurus. "Indeed you can help me extract sunlight from cucumbers; perhaps with your brain being larger than mine you will be able to make advancements in this endeavor that are beyond my capacity."
"My life has been politics, not science," said Triceratops. But I am glad to try. I really want to make science the great hobby of my elder years. Not too many dinosaurs are interested in science, unfortunately. I have ever found science to be the province of mammals for the most part and would like to use my fame as a Congressaurus, and as one of the most classic of dinosaurs to encourage the study of science in our younger generations. Would it not be something special if it were a dinosaur to discover how sunlight may be extracted from cucumbers? An endeavor begun by mammals who have larger brains that you and I? I have my heart set on that."
"A worthy effort and a good use of your fame," said Stegosaurus. "Now may you enjoy studying my science books while I myself study a copy of Gulliver's Travels. Johnathan Swift was, it appears among the smartest and fastest of all in the history of mammals. Do you think that we have to go into a floating city like the mammal in the book, or not? Because I sure do dream of flying, and there was even one time I thought I had evolved feathers, but alas, it was but a cruel dream. Because I'd like to fly, or at least glide, as Edgar Rice Burroughs has let me do from time to time in one of his books."
"I have my doubts about our ability to fly. And we might get some one to take us into a flying city but then, how to we get down? The sky is not meant for us. It is meant for Pteranodon and other pterosaurs,"
"You are very wise," said Stegosaurus. "There is truth to what you say. I am glad you will help me with this endeavor."
As the afternoon went on Triceratops and I did not speak, as we were engaged in reading and learning the ways of science. Finally late in the afternoon, I spoke up and asked a question.
"What do you find in the science books? Does it make more sense using your larger brain?"
"Give me some time yet; I have encountered this thing mammals call physics in this book and am still trying to figure out how mammals smart enough to know this act so silly in Washington. I will let you know when I know," said Triceratops.
"Such things are a mystery known only to the mammals," observed Stegosaurus. "I will let you think on what you have learned, and will prepare for you, my guest, a nice meal of regular, non - diet Pteridophytes that were left to me as a gift from Stegosaurus Claus himself,"
said Stegosaurus.
"Thank you. How very kind." said Triceratops.
"So it was, that Triceratops spent the winter months with me in Colorado; and now I had a fellow scientist, a lab assistant to help me decipher that most interesting of mammal texts; perhaps with the help of my old friend Triceratops, 2019 will be the year that I am successful in my efforts to extract sunlight from cucumbers and we'll both be rich and famous, beyond anything we both could dream of. "
"Are we not already famous, as classic dinosaurs?" asked Triceratops. "I, who served Government in many forms over 70 million years; meeting Tyrannosaurus Rex for tea on every third Thursday. Beloved in cartoons, movies, and numerous scientific documentaries over the years, almost as famous as you yourself."
"Indeed, I suppose we are," conceded Stegosaurus. "And yet you are humble because it is mostly the small children who love me, for some reason. You have most of your fame among grown mammals as well."
"Let us work together," said Triceratops. If we put our heads together eventually we are bound to succeed!"
