Stegosaurus returned to Boulder, Colorado and his cave on the 9th of January, and though he was glad to have enjoyed the holidays with so many friends, he was also glad to be at rest.
After several days of resting his weary claws, on January 13th he received a visit from his loyal accountant Corythosaurus.
"Is it time to file my taxes already, or have you come just to eat trees with me?" asked Stegosaurus as he saw Corythosaurus approach.
"We can do both, my friend," said Corythosaurus. "It is good to see you; how did your Holidays go?"
"Wonderful I was in California with Triceratops and Dimetrodon, and then went to West Virginia to spend time with the Giant Ground Sloth family."
"That sounds delightful. I had a nice holiday season myself." rejoined the loyal hadrosaur.
"Let us dine first before we look at my taxes," said Stegosaurus.
"As you wish," said Corythosaurus. "Where do you suggest we eat? What kind of tree is on the menu today? I'm up for anything," he continued.
"Oh, I don't know. How about we start with one of my favorites, the Picea pungens, and then stomp out forthrightly to a beautiful grove of Acer negundo that I know of," suggested Stegosaurus.
"I will gladly take your recommendation." said Corythosaurus.
The two friends first consumed a pair of Picea pungens, and then climbed a hill and then down again until they reached a marshy floodplain. Here was found a wonderful grove of Acer negundo, where Stegosaurus observed, "This is my favorite spot to eat the Acer negundo in peace. These trees grow well in urban areas, but eating in front of the mammals can sometimes be distracting because they are so surprised to see a Dinosaur. Even here, where I am the State Fossil."
"These are delicious," said Corythosaurus. "A meal this delicious for some reason I can't quite fathom, makes me feel like relating my life's story."
"Well, I will be delighted to hear what you have to share," said Stegosaurus.
"Let me drink some Diet Cola to start with," said Corythosaurus. "Would you like any?"
"No thank you," said Stegosaurus.
"Well, now, " said Corythosaurus, my life story starts a lot like yours, Stegosaurus."
"How so?" asked Stegosaurus.
"Well, one day a Mommy Corythosaurus met a Daddy Corythosaurus, and they liked each other very much. Then, one day they got together and wiggled a little bit, then I was born.
I lived 75 to 77 million years ago, a very long time, and then, one day I went down to the Red Deer River in Alberta BC, and became extinct. In was there, in 1911, that a Mr. Barnum Brown, who was also known as Mr. Bones, ( 1873 ~ 1963 ) discovered me. The name he gave me is from the Greek language, κόρυθος,(korythos), after a Corinthian Helmet, and my name literally means Helmeted Lizard. Charles Sternberg ( 1885 ~ 1981 ) discovered my two best fossils in 1912. Unfortunately Because a British paleontologist had asked for the two fossils in order to study them, he sent them to Arthur S. Woodward ( 1864 ~ 1944 ) so I took a seafaring trip on a mammal ship called The SS Mount Temple. Unfortunately the mammals were at war with each other in a war called The Great War, or World War I. On December 6th, 1916, an enemy ship fired upon us, and the SS Mount Temple was sunk; my fossils were lost.
"How unfortunate !!! I'm so sorry, " said Stegosaurus.
"No worries but thank you," said Corythosaurus. "In spite of being a mild mannered vegetarian, I am an experienced war veteran."
"You and I, we have something in common, " said Corythosaurus.
"And that is?" asked Stegosaurus.
"Like you, I am bird hipped, an Ornithischian."
"Well, welcome to the family," said Stegosaurus.
"I am directly related to other Hadrosaurs such as Lambeosaurus, and Hypacrosaurus, we have a similar skull structure and crests on our heads."
"It is a very distinctive crest," said Stegosaurus.
"Why, thank you," said Corythosaurus. "With our crests, we can call for a mate, or make other noises, such as warnings, for example if we are ever visited by your brother Allosaurus."
"How useful," observed Stegosaurus.
"The sound is similar to a brass instrument, such as a trombone. So, if I wanted I could join a jazz band."
"You live a fascinating life," said Stegosaurus.
"A fascinating life browsing for soft vegetation, drinking Diet Cola and sounding like a trumpet."
"No wonder we're such good friends," said Stegosaurus.
"Yes, friend Stegosaurus. Shall we take a break from eating, file your taxes, and then we'll gather trees I can use in my woodworking business."
"Sounds like a great idea, Corythosaurus. I remember my promise not to eat your stock."
Corythosaurus visited Stegosaurus through most of the 2nd half of January. He returned to Canada on the 26th of January.
