"I spent Thanksgiving by stomping forthrightly down to Georgia and spending it with my college class," said Stegosaurus. We all agreed we should take on an extra credit assignment and identify and eat a couple of trees native to the State. First, one of my classmates found a nice grove of Acer negundo, commonly known as the Boxelder. In some circles they are considered invasive, as they grow very fast. Though originating in the deep South these hearty, resilient plants can grow in many other places. They have been introduced in South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Asia. Perhaps I will send a seedling to Wuerhosaurus for Christmas, to put outside his cave; he'd like that. And to my Canadian friend Styracosaurus, who would call it by its Canadian name, Manitoba Maple. They make better Christmas presents than a Chia Pet, though there are times that I've been known to eat those too. The first few plants of this type that my classmates found had Boisea trivittata on them, but that was of no real concern since they generally do no harm to the plant at all.



When we had eaten our fill of Acer negundo, and I had gathered that which I plan to give away as gifts to my friends, we all stomped around forthrightly until we found some wonderful specimens of Catalpa bignonioides. This tree is also a native of the Southern United States, but it too, can be introduced into Canada and other parts of the world and thrive. I learned in class that when a Ceratomia catalpae ate of its leaves, the leaves produced an excess of nectar, which attracted ants to defend it from Ceratomia catalpae. I was dared to test this theory on Stegosaurids by my classmates, my classmates knowing my distinct dislike of insects. For sure this was proven, and in very short time much to my irritation I had insects under my scales and trying to get into my eyes. This was of much amusement to my classmates, who are lucky I know how to endure a good joke from time to time. The Catalpa bignonioides is accordingly not my favorite tree to eat, but I will say that they are quite delicious, and also low fat. Something to keep in mind during the Holidays!"

One bright, clear Sunday morning at the Woolly Mammoth Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival Sister Quagga spoke with an excessively overjoyed Kentrosaurus.

"Why are you so happy today, Kentrosaurus?" asked Sister Quagga. "Today, Sister Quagga, is a very special day," he rejoined. "I have always been just the loyal God fearing groundskeeper here. But today because Woolly Mammoth is suffering from laryngitis and cannot deliver the Sunday sermon, the task falls to me."
"Good luck," said Sister Quagga. "What is your sermon going to be on this Sunday?"
"I have changed nothing from what Woolly Mammoth planned before his illness. Scheduled today is a sermon on Colossians 3:12 ~ 17."
"Where is Woolly Mammoth at the moment?"
"Resting in the prayer garden. He's also feeling kind of down because the mammal scientists have failed to revive his DNA in mouse eggs, which has been a real setback in his quest for de - extinction."

"Oh," said Sister Quagga sadly. "I hope he does not feel down too long. The mammals are smart, and they'll figure it all out eventually. Wait and see."

"I hope so."

"To change the topic, I have a question to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"I've met some nice friends on the African plains recently who have said they'd like to come to the Church for a sermon. Would you mind if my friends known as Ostriches come and visit for a sermon?"

"Of course they may come! All are welcome to hear the Word of the Lord."

"I shall gallop to the plains and bring them back here with me."

"Very well. I will make them welcome."

"You'll like them. The novel thing about Ostriches is, they are not yet extinct."

"Fascinating."

As Sister Quagga left, Kentrosaurus retrieved his Bible and opened it to the Epistle to the Colossians, in order to prepare for his sermon.

Then he received a visit from Western Black Rhino.

"Hello, Kentrosaurus," said Western Black Rhino.

"Why, hello, Western Black Rhino. What brings you to visit? I hope you will come to my sermon later today."

"I am indeed planning on it, friend. I have a question for you."

"What is it?"

"I have finally met an extinct friend with which I have much in common. I visited with Woolly Rhinoceros to see if he'd like to join the planned Cold Weather Disaster Relief Agency. Happily he agreed, and wants to speak with Woolly Mammoth about it. Is Woolly Mammoth available?"

"Woolly Mammoth is in the prayer garden but alas ! He is suffering from laryngitis and cannot speak at the moment, hence the reason why I am giving the sermon today at Church."

"Aha!" said Western Black Rhino. "Well, I have brought Woolly Rhino with me, perhaps he'd like to stay for the sermon."

"Of course Woolly Rhino is welcome. Bring him back in a week or so, when Woolly Mammoth has recovered. I am certain that Woolly Mammoth will want to speak to him."

"Thank you, Kentrosaurus, I look forward to your sermon later today."

"God bless," said Kentrosaurus. "Oh, and let me tell you that Sister Quagga was just here; she is bringing some Ostriches with whom she has made friends on the African plains. So he won't be the only new guest to the Church today."

"That's wonderful," said Western Black Rhino.

When Western Black Rhino left, Kentrosaurus resumed the study of the scripture.

As the time approached for the sermon, Kentrosaurus was glad to see Sister Quagga returned with her Ostrich friends, Western Black Rhino with Woolly Rhinoceros, and even Smilodon and Dire Wolf, who had long ago promised to return after being rescued from the tar pits. Widow Ground Sloth and her son Junior were there as well as Woolly Mammoth, in spite of the fact that he could not speak at the moment.

"Welcome, Brothers and Sisters, began Kentrosaurus.

"Today I am honored to give you a sermon due to Woolly Mammoth being ill today. May God bless him with a speedy recovery. I never dreamed that one day I'd rise above groundskeeper to give a sermon of my own. Thank you, Lord Jesus and Woolly Mammoth for the opportunity."

Woolly Mammoth silently acknowledged Kentrosaurus, and then the sermon began.

" I want to speak today on St. Paul's Epistle to the Colossians. You, my friends, Brothers and Sisters, are the Chosen People of God. One of the many places that The Bible makes this clear is verses 12 through 17 of the Epistle to the Colossians. ' Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.' These are increasingly hard times in which we are living. Maybe not as bad as the time a meteor struck the Yucatán Peninsula, or a comet smashed into Greenland, but it is a time that increasingly tests the faith and endurance of those who call themselves Christian. But you must keep the faith and stay the course, at the end of the trial you will be worthy if you follow this advice. 'Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.' Life is too short. If you are a dinosaur, or megafauna, a meteor may come for you; if you are a mammal, as we know, your life is short so you must not bear any grudge with your neighbor; You do not know the number of your days, so things must be made right in case you face your final days. So you may leave in clear conscience without regrets of any kind. Forgive, for when you forgive there is peace; when you give you will receive the same. Several times over, these are the things you can take with you. As the possessions of the mortal coil must crumble and turn to dust, or fade away, but the feeling of your heart and soul remains. This will be counted for righteousness. Can I get an Amen, Brothers and Sisters? An Amen, please?"

"Amen!" said everyone. Everyone except Woolly Mammoth of course, but he had a good excuse !!!

Kentrosaurus continued, "There is an expression of unity! You will have perfect unity! For as the scripture says, ' ' And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity'.

"Bound in the Word and in the Love of our Lord God, and his Son, Jesus Christ! Love is eternal; for only that which is good can survive. Only love lasts. through all time."

"Verily, I say onto you, again from the Good Book, 'Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.'

"For this, my brothers and sisters, is the Grace of God. The Grace of the Lord is given to those who dwell with him in peace and unity. Be humble and supplicant in your entreaty, with prayer it will be granted unto you if you believe. Be thankful not just for the food you eat, not just for your scales or your fur, that there are no meteors in the sky, but for the love you have given and received. It is evidence of God, it is evidence of His manifestation; the manifestation of Jesus Christ. Jesus , God Himself calls upon you to be the Word manifest into the world"

"Now again, we return to the Epistle, and it says, 'Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.'

"So we shall sing today upon the conclusion of this sermon, as the Lord asks of us, as the Lord desires, that we, through him, may express appreciation and thanksgiving for all that we have and all that we are. Bring about Heaven, be the peace, be the love, be the example of your ideal, such a life honestly lived cannot fail your body or your soul. One last time we return to the Word in this sermon, and it says unto us, ' And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him'.

"The Lord is our example and our template. Let me give you an example of someone making God manifest to help their neighbor. Before I had the landscaping job here, I used to supplement my military pension by sending out emails from Nigerian "Princes", but it was Sister Quagga who was an instrument of the Lord in talking some common sense into me and convincing me that I should seek more honest employment. Before I even knew it, she was guiding my way, even if she knew it or not, to this Church, this land of Johannesburg, to my benefactor, Woolly Mammoth, who had faith in me and gave me a chance of redemption. Sister Quagga had made the Lord Jesus manifest through her actions towards me, and I try to return this same to everyone I meet. I hope I have not embarrassed you Sister Quagga, but I want you to know the impact you have had on my life and that I am thankful and gracious of your actions towards me in my time of need. "

Sister Quagga did not speak out, but her friends the Ostriches gathered around her and were speaking to her privately. Since she is a humble and unassuming creature she had not told them of her good deed.

"This concludes the sermon," said Kentrosaurus. "Now go forth in unity and brotherhood, to right the wrongs you can when you see them, to extend a hand to your friend or your enemy as well, in times of need be as one in unity, for this is the path to enlightenment. Thank you."