"I got communication from my cousin Wuerhosaurus in Tibet very recently," said Stegosaurus. "The missive was longer than his usual as he excitedly suggested to me a family reunion in Tibet. He also hinted that he had a grand surprise, and could I be sure to invite Kentrosaurus, Lexovissaurus and Loricatosaurus ? They must, ideally be present," he insisted.
Subsequently, I sent my own communication to Kentrosaurus, and though he expressed some confusion about Wuerhosaurus' uncharacteristic evasiveness, he told me that he had received permission from Woolly Mammoth for time off from his groundskeeper duties at the Church, and he said he'd see me in Tibet. Unfortunately, Lexovissaurus responded to me that he and his wife would not be able to make it as they were shortly to go on vacation in Marseille and regretfully declined. I wished them well, and promised to visit them soon. It has been a while since I, myself, have been to France.
I managed to construct a raft, ( having eaten the one I used on my last rafting trip, ) and set off for Tibet from Colorado on the Summer Solstice. I had a long but uneventful trip, all the while my curiosity grew about Wuerhosaurus' surprise and the reason he requested his cousins to visit him at this time. He's usually so busy meditating and contemplating that he does not make plans for all his cousins to be in one place for a reunion so large. I was surprised he wanted it in Tibet, but I have enjoyed my visits to that country, and had no objection to returning. I just remained curious about the surprise.
When I reached the Pearl River Delta and the port at Macau, my claws were weary and ready to once again feel the Earth I was going to go in search of some good roots to dig up, but before I could commence I heard Kentrosaurus calling to me. I was surprised and delighted that he was here; I had expected him to take longer to arrive.
"Cousin Stegosaurus !!" He said, "The Lord be praised for granting you safe arrival in Tibet !!"
Yes, it definitely was Cousin Kentrosaurus, and there was Wuerhosaurus with him !!
"Hail, Cousins Kentrosaurus and Wuerhosaurus !! Delighted to see you both!" said Stegosaurus.
"I am sure you are hungry," said Wuerhosaurus.
"Indeed I am, and I was just thinking of digging up some roots to eat, I also need to sharpen my claws a little bit." Stegosaurus rejoined.
"We need not dig here," said Wuerhosaurus. "Recall that in this area grows Nelumbo nucifera, the official flower of the city of Macau, but I have stored some roots in my cave that I would gladly share with you, or we can dig for roots in another place where the Nelumbo nucifera does not grow."
"Very well, cousin," said Stegosaurus. "I meant no disrespect. Now can you tell me what the surprise is? Why is it so important that we be here right now?"
"It is regrettable that our cousin Lexovissaurus and his wife Loricatosaurus cannot be here with us. I am sure there will be another time that they can come. But, I am so delighted that you both are here and have taken the arduous journey to my beloved Land. Come with me back to my cave in Tibet. You will discover there what my reason is for asking you to visit. "
Kentrosaurus and I looked at each other and sighed. If we waited this long, we can wait a little longer !!
When we got to Wuerhosaurus' cave in Xinjiang, he dug up roots for Stegosaurus to eat, for which Stegosaurus thanked him profusely; he gave some to Kentrosaurus as well, who was also thankful. So much so, that with permission he gave grace, which his cousins tolerated and participated in politely. Then Wuerhosaurus presented bowls of rice and the popular dish Buddah's Delight, with the Ginkgo nuts were not used as before and replaced with Chinese celery.
"Won't you tell us what the surprise is?" asked Stegosaurus.
"All will be revealed when we get to my home cave in Tibet, cousin Stegosaurus," assured Wuerhosaurus. "I am teaching you patience. All will be revealed, and be worth the wait. I am now planning to meditate for some time, before we proceed to Tibet. Should you like to join me, there is room for all of us just outside my cave."
Kentrosaurus was skeptical of the necessity of this, being sure that it wasn't Christian; then he recalled the times that Woolly Mammoth went into the Church prayer garden to pray; or the time that Mammoth stomped all the way to Zion in Egypt and he agreed to participate. Stegosaurus was glad; he did not wish to see Wuerhosaurus offended.
In due time, in total of several hours, Wuerhosaurus ended his meditation, by announcing: "The time has come. Let us go to Tibet at once."
Stegosaurus and Kentrosaurus got up and followed. They both remembered the mountain terrain from their first visit in 2016; it was strenuous, but the dinosaurs were in good health. It was certainly an area that Wuerhosaurus knew well and had traveled often. Then, he abruptly commented to his cousins,
"Actually, I rarely leave my cave. I am usually content to stay there and meditate upon my existence; everything I could want or need can be found within. This is only the second time I have left it since your last visit; the other time was when Loricatosaurus came here looking for herself."
"Such calm demeanor reminds me of how I feel while I eat the Prayer Garden at the Church," observed Kentrosaurus.
"When you find peace within, only then, can you give it to others. You cannot give what you do not have yourself. Such a gift, given honestly, will be replenished and never extinguished," said Wuerhosaurus.
"Don't you agree, cousin Stegosaurus?" Wuerhosaurus asked.
"Oh, yes, yes I do," replied Stegosaurus. For his part, Stegosaurus often chose to remain silent on the matter of religious faith; rather than express it outwardly and impose, he chose to let the example he set speak for him. In his conduct with others, in his calm demeanor, unwillingness to use his cool, spiky tail except in circumstances where it was used to protect his life or the lives of his friends. He let each find their path on their own, but always hoped they'd follow, for he was certain of his own salvation, and knew the best way to help his friends and loved ones was to set an example consistent with his ideal, which when it was all said and done, was not far off the mark of his cousins'.
Finally the Stegosaurids arrived at Wuerhosaurus' Tibetan cave, and Stegosaurus and Kentrosaurus both were genuinely surprised to see 5 Stegosaurids they had never met before grazing just outside Wuerhosaurus' cave.
"I told you I had a surprise," said Wuerhosaurus. "Stegosaurus, Kentrosaurus, please welcome your Chinese cousins, Tuojiangosaurus, Huayangosaurus, Chungkingosaurus, Miragaia, and the newly discovered Bashanosaurus. He's our elder Statesman."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Stegosaurus, Kentrosaurus," said Bashanosuarus. As Wuerhosaurus has told you I am indeed your oldest cousin. I lived here in China 168 million years ago 168 to 174 million years ago."
"That makes you 28 million years old or a little more than Stegosaurus and myself," said Kentrosaurus.
"Yes, indeed it does. I was discovered in the Shaximiao Formation in the Chongqing municipality of China in the year 2016, and I have some distinctive features that differentiate me from other members of the Stegosaur family. For example, as I'm sure you've noticed already, I was blessed with longer tail vertebrae and narrower shoulder blades that flared out. In addition, the base of my spiff, sexy plates flare outwards as well. I measure in at a respectable 9 feet, and I like to eat the same kind of verdure that you and your cousins do. My plates are not large, nor do they extend all the way across my back, In that respect I am like you, cousin Kentrosaurus."
"Interesting," said Stegosaurus. "Prior to your discovery, my oldest cousin was Lexovissaurus, discovered in France in 1954, who had his fossil remains reassigned to Loricatosaurus in 2008. They are a lovely couple, you'd like them. It was once believed that Loricatosaurus had shoulder spines as you do, and she attended a class on their proper usage in finishing school, but as it turns out, the scientists tell us the spikes belonged on her tail. She is really very intelligent, and has a paleontology degree from Oxford, England."
"I am impressed, and hope to make the acquaintance of Loricatosaurus and her husband soon," said Bashanosaurus.
"I must know," said Kentrosaurus, "If I may ask, do you know Jesus?"
"I know of Jesus, yes, a fine teacher. But, I am not a Christian. Like Wuerhosaurus, here, and your Chinese cousins Chungkingosaurus, Tuojiangosaurus, and Huayangosaurus, I am Buddhist. I understand that you mean well, my dear cousin, and hope there will be time in the future for us to discuss matters of religion."
"I am pleased to meet you," said Kentrosaurus contented for the time being with the response.
Then, Miragaia spoke up. "I was discovered in Portugal in 2009, named after the parish where I was found: Miragaia. I am roughly 150 million years old and I weigh about 2 tons, and I'm 18 to 20 feet long!"
"Pleased to meet you, Miragaia; I recall when the mammal news initially reported your discovery as a Stegosaurus stenops, like myself,"said Stegosaurus.
" ..... Yes, and you had a branch of your School of Dance placed in Portugal that year which I really appreciate. As it turns out I like dancing too!" said Miragaia.
"Delightful!" said Stegosaurus. "We'll have to spend some time dancing during this visit!"
"I would like that, said Miragaia. "I will also speak more about my characteristics, of which I am proud. I have been discovered to have the longest neck of any previously known Stegosaurid; I have seventeen vertebrae which is even more than your average sauropod."
"I am impressed," admitted Stegosaurus I only have twelve or thirteen. I must say though that I do like my neck the way it is. I don't mean to complain."
"You should be proud of who you are, I don't mean to demean anyone I am just describing myself by what mammals know about me," said Miragaia.
"I must know," said Kentrosaurus again, "Do you know Jesus?"
"Yes, friend Kentrosaurus," said Miragaia. "I am Catholic."
"Woolly Mammoth's Church in South Africa where I am groundskeeper is not Catholic, but it is Pentecostal; despite the differences I invite you to visit us at any time you please."
"Thank you," said Miragaia.
Then spoke up Chungkingosaurus. "I am the smallest known Stegosaurid, but I am not intimidated by that fact. I was discovered in the Shaximiao Formation in China in 1977 and classified by 1983. I was only partially discovered, but it is assumed that I have double rows of plates and spikes along my back like our African cousin Kentrosaurus. In 2010 it was suggested that I am a juvenile to our cousin Tuojiangosaurus; and this is possible. He and I were discovered in the same formation, but the mammals have still not reached a conclusion on this matter so at present, I am my own, short, and mighty determined species."
"Pleased to meet you," said Stegosaurus; I like determination and I am sure we will be great friends."
"Thank you Stegosaurus, I am also glad to make your acquaintance. And to you the same, Kentrosaurus. I look forward to grazing together soon. Do you enjoy bird watching?"
"Yes, by coincidence, I do!" exclaimed Stegosaurus.
"And do you enjoy maintaining your garden?"
"It is one of my favorite hobbies !!" exclaimed Kentrosaurus.
"Well then, I can see we have much in common! declared Chungkingosaurus.
Then, Huayangosaurus spoke up, saying, "Like Chungkingosaurus I am relatively small; a whole foot smaller indeed but we were discovered in the same province, and I was discovered around 1980, and classified in 1982. I am roughly 20 million years older than you, Stegosaurus. My name is derived from an older name used for China's Sichuan province. I will note that the mammals generally will place me in my own taxon; but I have no formal definition, and I am its only member. But, I do have some distinctive features that later Stegosaurids do not have. My skull in much broader, and look at my smile ! I have teeth in the front of my mouth, whereas later Stegosaurids did not. Later species have rows of teeth beginning in the back of their mouths. I have smaller plates than Stegosaurus does, which for the scientific mammals throws some doubt onto the idea of the spiff, sexy plates' thermoregulatory function. I will say that I also have really spiff shoulder spikes like Kentrosaurus, which helps me in defense if any meat eaters try to eat me".
"Do not let being small deter either of you, Huayangosaurus, Chungkingosaurus." said Kentrosaurus gently. "The Lord Jesus loves all his creations equally".
The two Buddhist dinosaurs accepted Kentrosaurus' words kindly, as they knew he meant well.
"Peace be upon you, dear cousin," they told him.
"Thank you," Kentrosaurus rejoined.
And, at last, Tuojiangosaurus spoke. "I am the most like Stegosaurus stenops here; but I yet have my own distinctive features. I was discovered in 1974, during the building of Wujiaba dam in Zigong, Sichuan; I was properly classified in 1977, 100 years since our cousin Stegosaurus was himself classified. My given name is derived from the nearby river Tuo, and includes the latin multus spina, which means in English, "many spine" At the time of 1977, I was the most complete Stegosaurid fossil found in China. Whereas Stegosaurus has 64 teeth, I have 25. My spiff, sexy plates are in double rows, but they are not wide, instead being triangular in shape towards my lower back and on my tail; but on my neck and upper back they are pear shaped. I am over 6 feet tall and weigh about 2.8 tons and I am roughly 20 million years older than cousin Stegosaurus. As you can guess by my name and where I was discovered, I really enjoy being near bodies of water. I like to hang out with the sauropods a lot. I am particularly fond of our cousin Chungkingosaurus, since the scientists say we might be directly related ... He might be my young. So I look out for my smaller cousin especially.
"We are all so pleased to make the acquaintance of you all," said Wuerhosaurus, who through most of the introductions had remained silent. "I felt it was at last important to all of us that there be a family reunion here and that it should last for several pleasant weeks. We can discuss much and graze often. I have asked that the mammal who discovered me, and at least two of you who are partially discovered, Dong Zhiming visit with us, and he has agreed to spend some time with us, though it will take him some time to arrive yet".
"Before we head to the meadow for dinner I would like Bashanosaurus to deliver some important news to us all regarding the entire species of Stegosaurus."
"Thank you, Wuerhosaurus," said Bashanosaurus.
"As I noted in my own introduction to you all, I am as science tells us, the oldest known of the Stegosaurus family, being 174 million years old. And being that there are now so many of us from China, even if some of us in time turn out to the juvenile fossils of other species of Stegosaurus, that the science mammals tell us that odds are very likely that the very genesis of the Stegosaurus species was not in Colorado, USA, not in South Africa, not the Lexovii, at the mouth of the Seine river, but instead right here in the country of China."
"This is indeed great cause for celebration!" exclaimed Stegosaurus. "Let us go at once, as a herd to graze together in celebration of this discovery. Though I am very fond of Morrison and Boulder, Colorado, USA, I am glad to embrace the theory proposed here this day and gladly take my place in the long, rich history of the country of China. It is a delight to see you and meet you all!"
