In the same time period that Lexovissaurus and Loricatosaurus were on vacation in Marseille, and while Stegosaurus and Kentrosaurus were in China visiting Wuerhosaurus and a number of other cousins native to that country, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Junior Ground Sloth and his mother were in their beloved avocado grove eating their lunch.
"Do you know what I read in the science papers today, mama ? I discovered something very interesting," said Junior.
"What did you discover, son? The matter of mammal science fascinates me." rejoined his mother, Widow Ground Sloth.
"Well, wait til you hear this. I mean, I do like avocados and all, I appreciate our avocado grove, I think I always will."
"Where is this conversation headed?" asked Widow Ground Sloth. "Are you, like Brontosaurus, having a midlife crisis and considering changing your name?"
"Actually mama, I am proud of my name; I'm not changing it. What has me intrigued is the science papers now speculate that we Giant Ground Sloths, ( someday I will BE Giant ), were not just avocado eaters, but that we also eat meat from time to time."
"Very interesting," said Widow Ground Sloth.
"My question is, the next time that the mammal who helped us to replant our Avocado Grove .... Steve Beaver visits, can we eat him ? I want to know what meat tastes like!"
"You must be kidding, Junior ! No, you may not eat Mr. Beaver. Giant Ground Sloths are civilized and do not eat our friends !! Where would we be if we didn't have this Avocado Grove? If we didn't have this nice grove, we'd have to stomp forthrightly all the way into Egypt to get decent avocados !! Oh dear, oh dear !! I have always been worried ever since your father became extinct in the tar pit that you would become a juvenile delinquent !! Oh dear !! oh dear !! Whatever shall I do with you ?!? Is this the way you treat your long suffering mother in her old age ? I'm a little over 11 thousand years old, and I never imagined in all my 11 thousand years that I would live to see the day that any son of mine would be so dreadfully uncivilized as to consider becoming a meat eater !! Why, its so low that it is just like what a meat eater would do !! Let me make this clear, so very clear that even our friend Stegosaurus with his walnut brain could understand it ! YOU, YOUNG SLOTH, ARE GROUNDED!!"
"But, but, mama, " Protested Junior Ground Sloth, "It's science !! Don't you believe in science? I read it in the science papers, I'm not making it up!"
"Go eat Avocados and tree leaves until you get this idea of meat eating out of your mind ! Furthermore, the next time Steve Beaver visits you must mind your manners and apologize !"
"Oh but mama, he doesn't know !! That's not fair!"
"If I ever catch you eating Steve Beaver or anything else other than our usual diet, there's going to be trouble!"
"Didn't you just say that the article was very interesting?!"
"Do as you are told, Junior Ground Sloth !" commanded Widow Ground Sloth to her son.
Thus, Junior Ground Sloth, dejected, went into the Avocado grove and began to eat leaves as he was told.
After a good couple of days in the corner of the Avocado Grove, Widow Ground Sloth spoke to her son.
"Junior, I'm sorry for what I did; I know I told you eating meat was interesting. I just want to be sure you know that if you start eating meat, that we really should not eat our friends. I want you to be a good Sloth; it would honor the memory of your dearly departed father."
"I know, mama, I know.I promise to be a good Sloth from now on. I will be a plant eater."
So it was that Junior Ground Sloth left the Avocado grove in search of some animal that would allow itself to be eaten in order to satiate his curiosity.
First he arrives at the African plains and finds Sister Quagga in her usual spot trimming the plains.
"Hello, Sister Quagga," said Junior Ground Sloth.
"Hello, Junior Ground Sloth," said Sister Quagga. "What brings you away from your Avocado Grove to the African Plains?"
"Sister Quagga, I know you are wise, and maybe you can help me. I read in the science papers recently that Ground Sloths are omnivores; and I am now obsessed with the idea of being a meat eater. The problem is that I have disturbed my poor mother who grounded me for a few days, and I can't think of anyone I could ask about how to hunt for meat because any meat eaters I could think of would also eat me. I only know plant eaters because I've only ever eaten plants."
"I understand," said Sister Quagga. "Even I, myself, tend to know mostly plant eaters. But I do have one suggestion. I would still advise caution, but consider speaking to Spinosaurus. Spinosaurus has a reputation of restraint due to his work with Stegosaurus Claus at Christmastide. Maybe he will help you."
"What a great idea !!" exclaimed Junior Ground Sloth. "Thank you Sister Quagga. "Let me ask you, do you, yourself ever have any curiosity about eating meat?"
"I cannot say that I have," said Sister Quagga honestly, "Though I do try to help my friends in whatever way I can so I directed you to Spinosaurus. Again, I caution you to be careful. Forgive your mother, and proceed with caution; you don't want to give her the experience of losing her son so soon after losing her husband."
"Don't worry, Sister Quagga," said Junior Ground Sloth. "My mama and I are on good terms. I understand her concerns. Thank you for your help."
Thus, Junior Ground Sloth departed the African Plains for the Niger river. He saw Nigersaurus there, but did not speak to him, as he saw the sauropod was napping in the river with the shade of a nearby tree covering his head. When he had crossed the section of the river in which Nigersaurus lived, he quickened his pace, knowing that anon he would see the pool where Spinosaurus lived ever since science told him he could swim.
He waited patiently for Spinosaurus to emerge, which he did after about a half an hour to 45 minutes.
"Oh, look !" Spinosaurus said. Here's my morning snack, right on schedule!"
"Wait, please, Spinosaurus," pleaded Junior Ground Sloth. "I need your advice, and was directed to you by Sister Quagga."
"Make it good, little Ground Sloth; I'm hungry !" replied Spinosaurus.
"Spinosaurus, I have a favor to ask of you. I've read in the science papers recently that we Ground Sloths are omnivores. After a lifetime of eating plants, and avocados, I'm really curious to know what meat tastes like. Can you catch something for me to try? I don't know how. If i really like meat, I'll learn how to catch it on my own."
"Very well, I will catch a fish for you from pool I live in. When you come recommended by Sister Quagga, I must use my manners and not eat you. But I must also be honest in that for the future you should be careful around my pool since I do consider Ground Sloth one of the great delicacies."
"Wonderful, thank you, Spinosaurus," said Junior Ground Sloth. "Your warning is well noted."
Shortly, Spinosaurus returned with a mouthful of Tilapia for Junior Ground Sloth to try, which he did, quickly. In part, because of his zeal over eating meat, but also a sudden fear for his life.
"Thank you once again, Spinosaurus. May I take a few fishes home to our avocado grove for my mama ??"
"Yes," said Spinosaurus, licking his lips.
Junior Ground Sloth, realizing that it was still quite some time before Spinosaurus would be bound by his Christmastime promises of good behavior decided not to test the patient generosity of the hungry dinosaur before him. He took the remaining Tilapia and returned to his mother and their grove of avocados as quickly as he could.
