Stegosaurus built a raft and left Colorado, USA on November 1st, with a plan to float forthrightly to New Zealand to spend time watching his friends, the Moa Birds. He was a little bit concerned, because he knew his good friends were among those who usually took part in his Stegosaurus Disaster Relief Agency, and yet they did not answer the call at all this summer, for the trips that the Agency took to Pennsylvania, OR Texas. With deep concern, and yet hoping for the best, he floated as fast as he could ( that is, forthrightly ), to the land of New Zealand.
When he arrived in the steep, mountainous upland hills of one of his favorite bird watching spot, he did not see the usual herd of Moas in their accustomed spot; he did observe a Haast's Eagle circling the sky above, but it was too far away to notice him and engage in conversation. He paused to eat two or three Podocarpus totara which hit the spot as he had not eaten since leaving Colorado, and in his concern for his friends he'd left abruptly, not bringing any food for travel. The totara were delicious, he had to admit, even though his mind was occupied with concern for his friends. He began to search up and down, far and wide calling out for the Moas, and it was not until he returned the upland hills in which he'd started and first arrived late on the 4th day, when he found the usual herd of upland Moas in their usual grazing spot, and he called out a hearty greeting in relief at the sight of his friends.
“Hail! My friends, the Moa Birds!” Stegosaurus called. I am so glad to see you!”
“Stegosaurus! Nice to see you again! Come graze with us, upon the upland hills!” the Moa called back heartily.
Stegosaurus stomped closer so that he didn’t have to shout, and asked the leader of the Moa herd.
“I was worried about you this summer. You did not answer the call when the Stegosaurus Disaster Relief Agency went into action in Pennsylvania and Texas."
“Yes, I know, Stegosaurus, “ said Moa,
“I am so sorry, but we had some important business to attend to with the mammals at Colossal Biosciences. As you are aware, we Moa have been extinct for 600 or so years, somewhere around 1445 AD and when we heard that Colossal Biosciences was planning to de-extinct us, we thought it best to contact them and offer some fresh DNA to bring their project some success. We are really excited about the prospect of becoming de-extinct.”
“I am not upset, but just concerned,” assured Stegosaurus. “What delightful news, I’ve heard how well De-extinction went for Dire Wolf.”
“I am glad you are not upset,” said Moa.
“Now please, come graze with us, you can watch us as you usually do, we will have a grand time, looking all bucolic, and all that.”
So Stegosaurus grazed together with his friends, sometimes stomping back to a distance, to watch his friends enjoy their meals and dream of day when he too, would be a bird, and even though the Moa could not fly, that he would someday soar among the Heavens, as he had seen birds do in the modern times. Oh, how he wished evolution would hurry up and make his dreams come true.
Stegosaurus followed as the Moa herd migrated to a slightly lower, swampy area. And he struck up a conversation, curious as to know the mammals’ motives for wanting to de-extinct the Moas.
“Can you tell me, if you know, what are the motives of the mammals who want to help you become de-extinct? Is there a specific reason that you have been chosen now, or is the decision entirely random?”
“The mammals want not only to help us, Dire Wolves and Mammoths, but they also have big grandiose plans for preserving the environment of the planet,” explained Moa. The details are rather involved and confusing to us, but we have our own reasons for wanting to be de-extinct; as you know being extinct is a real drag, and collectively we had the idea to help the mammals by giving them some of our DNA directly, rather than having them use one of our fossils, or mummies of our extinct brothers and sisters which may be found here in New Zealand caves and marshes which used to exist here like we did.” explained Moa.
“It is not just because of what health we might return to the planet’s ecosystem, repopulating the highlands and marshes here, not just what the return of the Dire Wolves and Mammoths might do, but also how existing endangered species of animals might be saved the indignity of extinction as the earth’s natural spaces are restored to their full, wild, natural glory and we thrive accordingly.”
“It is a bold effort,” observed Stegosaurus. “The mammals always have grandiose plans, and I admit many of them sound worthy and good. The things one can do with a larger brain!”
“The mammals have a lot of dreams and ambitions, and these ambitions can be easily distorted, and lead them astray if they are not careful. I know there are terrible consequences if this effort is derailed, but it also has so much potential for good, for us, for all animals and the Earth itself. We are all hopeful of the future, and know that you, as our friend, share this hope, that the plans these mammals plan, and the dreams these mammals dream come true just as they were concieved.” Rejoined Moa.
Stegosaurus relaxed and watched his Moa friends for a while, and then joined them in grazing on marsh grasses and they also ate more Podocarpus totara. Stegosaurus then brought the Moa Birds some aloe plants which he had stored on his raft for travel, which the grateful Moa Birds had never tried. They were delighted and thankful. After a restful few weeks with his friends in the beautiful country of New Zealand, Stegosaurus bid farewell to his friends who promised not to abandon the Stegosaurus Disaster Relief Agency when he called again. Stegosaurus wished them luck in their de-extinction efforts with Colossal Bio sciences, and then, slowly but surely floated forthrightly home. He was back at his cave in Colorado by November 16th.
