Sunday, September 23, 2018




"J'enlèverais mon chapeau pour pleurer l'extinction d'un si grand mammifère comme l'était Steve Brown, mais, hélas, je suis un Stégosaure et les Stégosaures ne portent pas de chapeaux,"

dit tristement Lexovissaurus.


Sunday, August 19, 2018

Stegosaurus returned home to Colorado in August and was glad to rest his weary claws after such a long journey from South Africa and Cuba.

"I was so hungry and was too weary to graze so I just ate my raft," said Stegosaurus. "I can always build another one when I need to travel. As a result, I was home a lot in the month of August, with a lot of time to relax. This is fine; Colorado is a delightful place. I would not have minded visitors, but I didn't actively seek any out, either. Being at home I determined that I should declare Square Dancing the dance of the month at My School of Dance. I'd just danced a lot of Square Dancing with Nigersaurus and Rhedosaurus in Cuba, but Square Dancing is my State's official dance."
"After a while however I figured out that it is really difficult to Square Dance by yourself, but while I was doing it I speculated on what it would be like to evolve into a homely Turkey in the Straw. When I stopped dancing it occurred to me to eat dinner so I ate a few Picea pungens, and while doing so was visited by one of the few insects that does not irritate me, The Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly (Hypaurotis crysalus). This is because it is the official State insect of Colorado. I let those few who visited settle on my spiff, sexy plates for a bit, and was delighted to note it made them even more attractive."

"Then, when I had done with eating, I climbed into the mountains for some exercise, but found the air at the higher elevations just a bit thin. Obviously I am not designed for the higher elevations like our official State animal of Colorado the Bighorn Sheep. (Ovis canadensis) perhaps someday I shall evolve, but I would prefer not to be a sheep, instead a type of aviary creature someday. I long to fly with the birds ever since Edgar Rice Burroughs let me glide on my spiff, sexy plates last week, or sometime back in 1929."

"Returning to flat land, I rebuilt my raft with Picea pungens I hadn't eaten for dinner, and will soon travel again. I am too much of a social creature to enjoy isolation for long."

Sunday, July 15, 2018

"When it became July my friend Nigersaurus and I left South Africa together for the island Nation of Cuba. As we had agreed earlier, I was going to teach him some dancing lessons in order to limber up his tail for maximum whacking, should he ever have to defend Ms. Giraffe, African Ground Pangolin, Chinese Pangolin, or anyone else in need", said Stegosaurus.

"I followed and floated forthrightly on my raft, but as Nigersaurus is a Sauropod he simply swam or floated most of the way, much more accustomed to water than I. Along the way we discussed the kind of dances he wanted to learn; I also made suggestions as to those which would make him the most limber. He really wanted to learn square dancing, the official dance of my native land, Colorado so we started there once we settled in the city of Havana.

"What a great joy it is to visit Cuba," said Nigersaurus to me. "I am enjoying myself so much, I am surprised that I never visited before. I must return and return often."

"I am glad you enjoy it," said Stegosaurus. "Like nearby Florida, the climate is quite agreeable."

"I have enjoyed the Square dance lessons, and I thank you immensely but somehow Square dancing does not seem appropriate for the culture here. What dance is it that you feel most exemplifies the best of Cuba?"

"That would be Salsa dancing, friend Nigersaurus. You'll have to let me introduce you to the lovely Madame Lazonga's Latin daughter. Ms. Lazonga was a wonderful mammal who gave me my first lessons in 1940, and she had six daughters, of which one is still living. As with most mammals they don't live very long but she is a delight to know and you'll be pleased to make her acquaintance. She'll help develop your hips and your knees."

"Why, thank you," began Nigersaurus. "After dinner we ...." then we were interrupted by an unexpected visitor.

"Greetings!" said Rhedosaurus.

"What a surprise! Welcome!" said Stegosaurus. "What brings you to Cuba? Is your lovely wife with you today?"

"Lady Rhedosaurus is not here she is home in New York. I came down here because I got a craving for Cuban policemen; they have Caribbean Seasoning and I stopped by your School of Dance here on a lark, just to see if you happened to be in town and you are! How nice to see you!" said Rhedosaurus. "What brings Nigersaurus to Cuba?"

"I am interested in learning some dance moves in order to become more limber and protect endangered species like Ms. Giraffe. So I have come here with Stegosaurus to learn."

"How very nice. I learned the waltz from Stegosaurus. It helped me meet my wife. Would you be interested in learning the waltz? I could use some brush up lessons, and we could learn together."

"I will not refuse it," said Nigersaurus. I'd like to find something else to do with my time besides lounge around the Niger river."

"I think you'd also like Salsa dancing," said Stegosaurus, "..... and while I could teach you I really would like to introduce you to Madame Lazonga's daughter who taught me."

"I'd be delighted," said Nigersaurus.

"Incidentally, hello, Rhedosaurus! Nice to see you. Welcome to my school of dance again!" said Stegosaurus.

"Do you mind if I come with you to meet Madame Lazonga's daughter?" asked Rhedosaurus.

"Of course you may come along," said Stegosaurus.

And so it was that the three dinosaurs stomped forthrightly from The Stegosaurus School of Dance to the small, humble home of the last living daughter of Madame Lazonga, Hermosa Lazonga.

The elder woman was sitting outside on her porch in a rocking chair and saw the dinosaurs approaching.

"Hello Stegosaurus! I am delighted to see you come for a visit! What friends do you bring with you from out of town?"

"Greetings, Madame, I delight to see you well. These are my friends Nigersaurus and Rhedosaurus. I was teaching Nigersaurus a few dance moves in dances other than ones native to Cuba when I thought I would take him to visit you so that you could teach him Salsa like you did for me last week."

"Oh but Stegosaurus," said Ms. Hermosa, I am now 95 and not as young as I was. It wasn't last week that I taught you but 1940. I am now aged 95 and afraid I am not quite the dancer I was then."

"I do understand Ms. Lazonga," said Stegosaurus. "Time gets away from me sometimes."

"I would be glad to teach them what you taught me, Ms. Hermosa, will you still have us for a visit?"

"Of course, Stegosaurus," said Ms. Hermosa. "I am sure you can teach your friends how to develop their hips and their knees. I will be glad to tell you the great things about my homeland of Havana."

"We have a festival coming up on July 18th which is one of our most popular. Perhaps you'd all like to attend the Carnival of Santiago de Cuba it is a great deal of fun for everyone. We will have Latin rhythms that will help develop your hips and your knees, we have the best Carribean and tropical foods, a great deal of alcohol is consumed, there are parades and street performers I am sure that a few dinosaurs would be welcome and the stars of the evening. I know Stegosaurus is not a seafaring animal, but Nigersaurus may enjoy our sea sports; it being summer all seven or our ports are open, we have coral reefs and an abundance of sea life that you can eat or talk to as you choose. A lot of the mammals enjoy diving, and for that I should recommend the Marlin Marina Hemingway Nautical, one of our most popular spots for underwater activity; I am sure divers would enjoy riding upon your back while underwater, if you feel inclined to such generosity. We have four different beaches, if you choose for a little sun while cooling in our tropical waters. Come and spend time with us when we are not enduring a Natural disaster; we don't get as many US visitors as we did in 1940, because of the silly US embargo, but dinosaurs, having no cognizance of such laws ignore them and we enjoy Stegosaurus' company that's why we granted him some land to build his first School of Dance on over 70 years ago."

"I am indeed particularly interested in your annual ballet festival," confessed Stegosaurus, "Though having been down here for a while I knew about that one already but I have always been impressed by the resilience of the Cuban people who somehow remain a cheerful and proud people in spite of the adverse circumstances that surround them. Cuba is a delightful place filled with delightful people your climate is similar to nearby Florida I've been coming here since 1940 and will continue to do so. We will indeed stay for your Carnival of Santiago de Cuba and appreciate your kindness and generosity Ms. Hermosa. Should you like to come back to the School of Dance and supervise my teaching of the arts you taught me so long ago? I will teach Nigersaurus and Rhedosaurus, and if you see anything being done not quite right, you may stop and correct me. We'd love to have you. Will you come?"

"Yes, I can make it that far. Give me a few moments and we can be on our way," said Ms. Hermosa.

"And so it was that I enjoyed my time with my friends spending half the month of July in Cuba, a land that in spite of its problems is still in places a vibrant cheerful and welcoming culture of mammals," said Stegosaurus.

"Ms. Hermosa did not have to correct me too much on my dancing form, for which I was proud. She taught me well the first time."





Sunday, June 17, 2018

Bonjour, Je m’appelle Loricatosaurus!

"Je suis toujours très engagé dans le processus de me
retrouver et j'ai décidé que le mois de juin était le bon moment pour flotter
sur mon radeau en Chine ! Je sais que mon cher mari a promis de venir avec moi lorsque
j'ai finalement obtenu mon diplôme il y a deux ans, mais le moment venu, il
demanda s'il pouvait rester à la maison dans sa grotte et manger du fromage. Je
pensais et réalisais qu'il n'avait pas été à la maison depuis que je suis
devenu paléontologue, et je sais combien il est fier de la France, alors je lui
ai dit que je serais heureuse d'y aller moi-même et quand je reviendrais de la
Chine je resterais longtemps à la maison en France. J'étais déçu, mais j'ai
aussi compris, parce que je savais qu'il n'aime vraiment pas quitter la France,
et qu'il l'a fait plusieurs fois depuis que je suis diplômé. Il m’a donné sa bénédiction."

"Avec Lexovissaurus content dans sa caverne, je pars pour ma grande aventure ... Bien sûr, lors de la visite en Chine, il convient de rendre visite à son cousin Wuerhosaurus, qui est toujours un hôte gracieux. Après un long voyage, mon radeau et moi flottons directement dans le port à Mackau, en Chine et chez Wuerhosaurus, il me rencontra là : il fut déçu de constater que mon mari n'était pas avec moi, mais m'installa généreusement chez lui dans sa grotte-invité tibétaine qui dura deux semaines au lieu d'un mois. J'ai expliqué que je voulais surprendre Lexovissaurus en rentrant à la maison plus tôt que prévu. Wuerhosaurus m'a dit qu'il comprenait et m'a offert du thé et une brève conversation sur la météo et mon voyage avant de m'excuser pour une séance de méditation d’après-midi. Ça ne me dérangeait pas de le rejoindre demain matin avant de rentrer en France, mais à la fin de mon thé je me rendis compte à quel point j'étais fatigué, et le poids de mes voyages s'installa dans mes os. Je suis allé dans la caverne pour la nuit.



Quand le jour suivant apparut, Wuerhosaurus apparut à nouveau et m’a offert du thé que je pris volontiers. Il a demandé où je comptais commencer à me chercher et je lui ai dit que la Chine était un si grand pays, avait-il des suggestions en tant que local, quant aux meilleurs endroits où aller et commencer à regarder ? À quoi il a chaleureusement suggéré d'abord au Xinjiang en Chine occidentale où il a lui-même été découvert il y a seulement 45 ans. Je lui ai demandé s'il voulait venir et se chercher lui-même, sachant que lui aussi n'avait été que partiellement découvert. Wuerhosaurus déclina doucement, disant qu'il méditerait et se trouverait.

Cependant, après plus de réflexion et de consommation de thé, la frontière entre le Xinjiang et l'Afghanistan me préoccupait, car je savais qu'il y avait beaucoup de combats de mammifères dans cette région et je ne voulais pas disparaître. Je voulais rester loin de là. Au lieu de cela, il m'a suggéré de visiter Hainan, en Chine, dans le sud du pays. Il avait des amis là-bas, il m'a dit qu'il aimerait que je les rencontre, il m'a dit que je les aimerais et qu'ils étaient très agréables.

"Qui sont-ils ?" J'ai demandé.

Ce sont des pangolins chinois ; les îles de Hainan sont où vous pouvez les trouver ; En raison des actions des mammifères dans plusieurs domaines, ils sont en danger critique. Encore plus que notre amie Mme Girafe. Alors s'il te plait sois prudente quand tu piétineras », répondit Wuerhosaurus.

"Je le ferai certainement", ai-je promis. Et c'est ainsi que peu de temps après, je fis un voyage dans les îles où Wuerhosaurus me conduisit ; partiellement piétiné, et en partie flottait sur mon radeau. Avant de partir, j'ai encore une fois demandé à Wuerhosaurus s'il voulait venir avec moi et se retrouver ; il a de nouveau refusé de préférer la méditation.

Il a dit : "Si je cherche, je me trouverai à l'intérieur.

Oui à l'intérieur il m’a dit en souriant et j'ai été amusé par la remarque de Wuerhosaurus ; J'admire sa paix intérieure. Un tel état d'esprit est difficile à trouver.

Un beaucoup plus court voyage que je pensais et j’étais sur les îles de Hainan. J'ai piétiné jusqu'à une zone de forêt tropicale connue sous le nom de Yanaka, et j'ai rapidement commencé à creuser pour moi-même. Quand j'étais à la hauteur de mes pointes d'épaule inexistantes dans la terre, j'ai entendu une petite voix qui me demanda.

"Pour quoi creusez-vous ?"

« Moi-même », dis-je, tellement occupée dans mes efforts que je n'ai pas vraiment levé les yeux ou fait attention à qui parlait.

"S'il vous plaît soyez prudent, cette forêt tropicale est ma maison."

"Quelle ?" J'ai dit, levant les yeux.

"J'ai dit " C'est ma maison. S'il te plait fais attention."

"Bonjour, petit mammifère blindé, je m'appelle Loricatosaurus, je suis éteint et j'essaie de me retrouver car je n'ai pas encore été complètement découvert."

“Je m'appelle Pangolin chinois, soyez prudent dans votre recherche de fouilles car je suis en danger, et je préférerais ne pas disparaître.

"Vous devez être amis avec le cousin Wuerhosaurus", j'ai observé.

"Je connais Wuerhosaurus, es-tu son ami ?"

"Oui, nous sommes de la même espèce."

"Si vous êtes son ami, alors nous pouvons aussi être amis."

"Merveilleux, je creuserai avec plus de soin, et vous pourrez me parler de vous et de votre terre pendant que je travaille."

"Je serais content et tu me raconteras tout sur toi aussi ?"

"Oui bien sûr."

"Très bien, je vais commencer ! Très heureux de vous rencontrer Loricatosaurus disparu, je suis désolé d'apprendre que vous êtes éteint."

"Merci ce n'est pas ta de faute mais merci."

« Eh bien, je suis le pangolin chinois, je vois malgré ta plus grande taille que toi et moi avons plus que quelques choses en commun : par exemple, tu as des écailles, j'ai aussi des écailles, je vois que tu as une queue, et j'ai aussi une queue, vos pointes de queue sont assez impressionnantes, je me demande si je ne m'éteindrai pas bientôt, si j'évolue des pointes de queue.

"Ce que je ne peux pas dire." Je rejoins mon adorable interlocuteur gai.

Pangolin chinois haussa les épaules, puis continua,

« De plus, ma queue n'est peut-être pas encore épineuse, mais elle est préhensile et je peux m'accrocher à l'envers si je le veux, peux-tu te mettre à l'envers sur ta queue ? " Je ne l’ai jamais fait mais je ne crois pas y être capable de le faire.

« Eh bien, quand je t'ai vu pour la première fois, je pensais que tu devais creuser un terrier parce que les pangolins chinois creusent aussi des terriers.

"Vous ressemblez à quelqu'un qui aime vivre dans les forêts, et nous pangolins chinois, nous vivons aussi dans les forêts, il y a beaucoup de types de forêts dans lesquelles nous vivons.

• Forêts tropicales primaires et secondaires

• Forêts de bambous

• Forêts calcaires

• Forêts à larges feuilles

• Forêts de conifères

Aussi bien que

• Champs agricoles et

• Prairies



"Laissez-moi vous demander, aimez-vous manger des insectes ?"

Non, je ne mange pas d'insectes, je les trouve agaçants quand ils essayent de me passer sous les écailles et dans les yeux, comme ils sont petits, je ne peux pas les abattre avec ma fraîche et piquante queue.

"Eh bien, les insectes sont mon plat principal, alors je vais vous faire un marché. Si vous ne voulez pas détruire mon habitat, je vais manger tous les insectes qui entrent dans vos yeux et essayer de passer sous vos écailles."

"Bien sûr, ce serait génial !"

"J'en serais ravie, alors je serai capable de te montrer ma très longue langue qui est aussi longue que mon corps, je suis très particulière à ce régime, c'est pourquoi je ne survis pas longtemps dans les zoos captifs.

"Beaucoup de nations ont adopté des lois pour m'empêcher d'être braconnés, mais les lois n'arrêtent jamais le marché noir et je reste en danger malgré leur inquiétude. Les mammifères modernes me décrivent comme une" bête préhistorique "mais je ne suis pas aussi vieux que toi ou Wuerhosaurus sa c’est sûr. "

"Mes amis et moi ferons de notre mieux pour vous protéger."

"Merci beaucoup" "Maintenant, notre saison de repeupler est en avril et mai, et les pangolins chinois femelles ne donnent naissance qu'à un seul à la fois, les jeunes peuvent marcher peu après la naissance, mais la femelle porte souvent la jeune fille sur le dos. Quand ils sont petits, le pangolin chinois partage souvent son terrier avec les jeunes et les femelles pendant la saison de repeupler, mais les pangolins et les pangolins chinois en général ne s'accouplent pas à vie.

"Il y a une rumeur persistante que nous sommes principalement des animaux nocturnes, mais ce n'est pas vrai, je peux errer la nuit, mais je n'ai aucune crainte ou aversion pour le soleil ou les heures de jour."


"Il y a une rumeur persistante que nous sommes principalement des animaux nocturnes, mais ce n'est pas vrai, je peux errer la nuit, mais je n'ai aucune crainte ou aversion pour le soleil ou les heures de jour."

"Penses-tu que nous serons de grands amis, je l'espère !"

- Je n'en doute pas, mon cousin Wuerhosaurus avait raison, vous êtes tranquille et agréable.

"Comme c'est gentil de votre part, bienvenue dans mon cercle d'amis."

Et c'est ainsi que bien que je ne me sois pas retrouvé en Chine pendant ce voyage, je me suis fait un nouvel ami pour la vie, et j'avais hâte de rentrer en France et de raconter à mon adorateur mon aventure et mon nouvel ami. Je suis sûr qu'il appréciera la compagnie chinoise de Pangolin autant que moi.



This post dedicated to the memory of Steven E. Brown
( October 20th, 1949 ~ August 31st, 2017)
Composer, playwright, actor, broadcaster, and loyal friend of Stegosaurids everywhere, especially Lexovissaurus.

Sunday, June 3, 2018


"June 1st marked my 140 million and 12th birthday," said Stegosaurus. "I remained in Africa and observed it there with all my friends including Ms. Giraffe. The observation was held at Woolly Mammoth's Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival; the traditional cake was made for me, but I also broke with my diet and had the non low fat ( regular ) Pteridophytes for just one day, because its not every day you turn 140 million and 12.

"I wish you the absolute best on this most significant day, good cousin!" said Kentrosaurus.

"I hope you enjoy your cake," said Sister Quagga. "I am sorry for getting you one that had walnuts on it, I clearly was not thinking."

"Don't worry," said Stegosaurus. "No harm done. Sometimes you just have to face your fears, even on your birthday."

"Happy Birthday, loyal friend Stegosaurus! I am so glad to be a part of this day with you and grateful for your friendship," said Western Black Rhino.

"You are very welcome," said Stegosaurus.

"If I knew how to dance, I would dance a jig on your birthday," said Nigersaurus.

"Thank you friend. Shortly you and I shall go to Cuba and you will learn much in the way of dancing at my School of Dance," said Stegosaurus.

"I appreciate this so much," said Nigersaurus. "You are a true friend."

"I do not understand the significance of cakes on birthdays," said Widow Ground Sloth, but I hope you have many more birthdays to come. Your friendship is a treasure to me and Junior."

"How very kind of you to say," said Stegosaurus. "Thank you." After which, I allowed Junior to jump up on my back and lounge about ( as Sloths do ) among my spiff, sexy plates. It won't be long before he is too large for this, but as of now he is small enough that it isn't harmful.

"I am very glad to host your birthday here at my Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival." said Woolly Mammoth. "May the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you for millions of your years yet to come."

"Thank you, Woolly Mammoth. Your kindness and generosity is appreciated." said Stegosaurus.

"Now where has Ms. Giraffe gone? I see her nowhere at the moment," said Woolly Mammoth.

"My understanding is that she has gone to Uganda for the moment. She shall return within the hour. I am sure she did not mean to slip away and enjoys the company of all of her friends here," said Kentrosaurus.

In a short time Ms. Giraffe did return to Woolly Mammoth's Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival, with Spinosaurus and another friend in tow.

"Welcome, Ms. Giraffe, thank you for returning! And greetings Spinosaurus! How nice to see you ! I really hope you are on good behavior!" said Stegosaurus.

"I am! If I were not, I would have eaten Ms. Giraffe and her little friend here!" said Spinosaurus.

"Who have we here?" asked Woolly Mammoth.

"I took a quick trip up to Uganda just now; I was going to bring Stegosaurus some nice Moringa oleifera leaves for his birthday when I met Spinosaurus here silently watching and waiting for something. At first I was scared for my life, but he did not attack me as I expected. Instead he insisted I wait with him and be quiet," said Ms. Giraffe.

"What is it?" Ms. Giraffe asked.

"Shhhh .... " said Spinosaurus.

Shortly along came two mammals; one carrying a large machete used to hack a path going their way and the second following and carrying a sack over his shoulder. When the two mammals came away from the forest and into a natural clearing, the beginning of the plains, Spinosaurus burst from cover and roared loudly at them. The first one, holding the machete dropped it in surprise but had no time to scream as Spinosaurus immediately ate him in one gulp.

The second mammal ran away as fast as he could, carrying the sack.

"Chase down that mammal!" said Spinosaurus; "Make him drop that sack!"

I did not question Spinosaurus, even though I did not entirely know what was going on, or what was in the sack.

I ran very fast, and caught up to the mammal; when I was in front of him he dropped the sack in surprise; I took it up in my mouth and ran back to the edge of the plain.

The second mammal ran after me, yelling something, but I did not stop to hear exactly what it was. As I was running I recognized these two mammals as poachers and I began to run faster in case the surviving one got any ideas about poaching ME.

I had little to worry about in this regard, as shortly Spinosaurus ran past the two of us, and as soon as he could safely do so, stomped on the second mammal forthrightly.

Then, Spinosaurus stomped up to me and said, "Open the sack."

And thus, we were introduced to our friend here, African Ground Pangolin.

"Hello, everyone!" said African Ground Pangolin.

"Thank you to Ms. Giraffe for rescuing me, and to Spinosaurus, who it seems, has developed a taste for Pangolin poachers. I am forever in your debt."

"Hi there, little friend, pleased to meet you. I am Nigersaurus," said Nigersaurus. "If you don't mind my asking, can you tell me what you are? You look like a cross between an anteater and a good friend of mine, Ankylosaurus."

"I have been known to be confused with prehistoric beasts," said African Ground Pangolin; "But the truth of the matter is that my species is only about 45 million years old."

"African Ground Pangolin, like me, is an endangered species," said Ms. Giraffe. "I thought we could make friends and bring him here so that he'd have a support network of like minded creatures to help him through the difficulties of being endangered."

"What a delightful idea!" exclaimed Stegosaurus. " I am so glad to meet you, African Ground Pangolin."

"Likewise, Stegosaurus," said African Ground Pangolin.

"I am certainly glad to have recently developed an interest in the cuisine of poachers," said Spinosaurus. "It is helping the endangered and improving my reputation among those who fear me because I am a large meat eating predator."

"Welcome to my Church, and the brotherhood of the Lord Jesus Christ," said Woolly Mammoth to African Ground Pangolin. "I am Woolly Mammoth, and this is my Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival. Please be welcome in the love of Christ."

"Thank you, Woolly Mammoth." said African Ground Pangolin.

"And thus, we politely endured another sermon by our zealous woolly pachyderm, and were introduced to a wonderful new friend who spent the evening of my birthday endearing us to his kindly, laid back demeanor and explaining himself and his species traits and habits.

I really have the best life and best friends that any Stegosaurus anywhere could ask for," said Stegosaurus.



Wednesday, May 16, 2018

"When I heard that Ms. Giraffe had been placed on the Endangered Species List, I immediately floated forthrightly on my raft to South Africa to meet with her and my friends there to offer support and any help that I could," said Stegosaurus.

"Upon arrival I first met with my cousin Kentrosaurus, and we gathered together our friends of the area, Nigersaurus, Sister Quagga, Western Black Rhino, Widow Ground Sloth and her son, Junior, and of course, Woolly Mammoth. We all agreed to process at once to the African plains in order to meet with Ms. Giraffe. Sister Quagga led the way, since she lives there also.

"We will protect Ms. Giraffe to ensure that she does not end up extinct," said Sister Quagga. "Knowing what extinction is like, we will do everything that we can to prevent this tragedy."

"I shall offer a sermon on the Gospel of St. Matthew 6:25 ~ 34," said Woolly Mammoth, "For with our presence, and the benevolent presence of Lord Jesus, she shall not be anxious."

"I found myself stomping along with my cousin Kentrosaurus and Nigersaurus and we all agreed that Giraffe poachers would be surprised and in great fear of my cool, spiky tail, and the cool, spiky tail of my cousin Kentrosaurus," said Stegosaurus.

"Because of his great size they will even fear the non spiky tail of Nigersauruus," said Kentrosaurus.

"Yes", agreed Nigersaurus, somewhat embarrassed by the attention. "I must practice whacking things with my tail for a while so that I can be of maximum service to the welfare of Ms. Giraffe. Say, friend Stegosaurus, perhaps dancing lessons would limber me up a little bit, and I'd be better at whacking things with my tail as a nice added benefit."

"Sure it could," said Stegosaurus. "We can go to Cuba later this summer, and I can teach you a few dance moves that will help this. We can talk about it later."

"I look forward to it," said Nigersaurus.

"If anyone threatens Ms. Giraffe I will do anything to protect her .... even stab the offenders with my horn!" said Western Black Rhino.

"What if they turn and attack you?" asked Sister Quagga.

"I'm already extinct ... what can they do that they haven't done already?"

Then, Woolly Mammoth interjected, "My good friend Western Black Rhino, let me council that those who live by the sword shall die by the sword."

"You are the conscience of many and you do your job well," said Western Black Rhino.

"You are a fine diplomat," Sister Quagga told Western Black Rhino.

"Junior and I will let Ms. Giraffe hide in the forest that Kentrosaurus planted for us; this is the Christian thing to do ..... she can hide in safety and comfort we will share of our kindness and
prosperity," said Widow Ground Sloth.

"That is very generous," said Kentrosaurus. "How very kind. Blessings upon you for all you have learned."

"We must exemplify that which is the best nature has to offer," said Widow Ground Sloth.

"Look! Here we are upon the plains, and there is Ms. Giraffe! Hello, Ms. Giraffe!" said Sister Quagga.

"Well, hello! What brings so many of my friends to visit today?" asked Ms. Giraffe.

"We heard that you had been placed on the Endangered Species List and have come to offer our help and advice. We will help protect you and prevent your extinction," said Stegosaurus.

"If I am becoming extinct it is news to me. My relatives in the West are thriving," said Ms. Giraffe. "Where have you heard this news?"

"The International Union For the Conservation of Nature announced it, and it was reported by The Smithsonian Institution," said Stegosaurus.

"Reliable sources," said Ms. Giraffe, a look of sudden concern crossing her usually tranquil face.

"Fear not, do not be anxious! I see that look of concern and will bring to you the comfort of the advice of the Lord Jesus Christ," said Woolly Mammoth. "For which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to your days?"

"I know you mean well by your sermons, Woolly Mammoth. If you'd like I will come to your Church someday and take in the Word. If you would, can it be an outdoor sermon? I am a very tall animal and will not fit in a church."

"Of course we can accommodate that," said Woolly Mammoth.

"I will landscape an area for such a sermon immediately upon our return to the Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival," said Kentrosaurus. "I've always enjoyed new projects."

"We will gladly protect you from poachers and any other factors that threaten you and your life as best we can," said Widow Ground Sloth. "Come visit in our forest and stay for a while."


"I am looking forward to stabbing poachers with my horn!" said Western Black Rhino.

"He's said that once before!" confirmed Nigersaurus.

"Well I appreciate all the care and concern for me and my welfare," said Ms. Giraffe. "I will visit with my friends and accept any help you can give me. Thank you so much for caring."
 
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