In mid January, Woolly Mammoth chose to give a sermon upon the Epistle to the Ephesians chapter 4, verse 28. It was cool, but Woolly Mammoth decided to do something different for this sermon. He decided to hold the sermon out of doors and make a large bonfire out of the deadwood from the forest that Kentrosaurus had recently replanted for Widow Ground Sloth and her son Junior. Since most of the congregation consisted of Pleistocene megafauna, he knew they would not be uncomfortable.

As Woolly Mammoth finished, the first guests to arrive were Woolly Rhino and Western Black Rhino.

"Hail, Woolly Mammoth!" said Woolly Rhino. "Why do you build a fire out of doors? Is this where the sermon will be tonight?"

"This is my plan," said Woolly Mammoth. "There is no fault with the Church; rather I do enjoy the crisp weather at present, and would like to give the sermon out of doors, if that pleases the congregation."

"I'm okay with that," said Woolly Rhino.

"I'm okay with that too, " said Western Black Rhino, "...and I don't have any fur !! The weather will be fine."

"Where is Kentrosaurus?" asked Western Black Rhino. "He's usually here by now; is he okay?"

"Kentrosaurus is fine;" said Woolly Mammoth. "We have been visited since Christmas Day by a mammal named Steve Beaver who is replanting the Avocado Grove for Widow Ground Sloth and her son Junior."

"So I suppose then, that we will not see the Ground Sloths," said Western Black Rhino.

"Or Kentrosaurus. It will be a while; he is fascinated by the teachings of our new mammal friend Steve, and probably will not be seen here for a few days. I've given him a vacation, knowing that when he returns he has new knowledge to bring to our gardens. Fear not, for when he returns he will be graced with knowledge granted to him by The Lord, and he shall make our gardens even more wonderful and pleasing to the Lord and His Son, Jesus. We will still have many come to hear my sermon today; I trust in the Lord. Today I have chosen to speak upon the Epistle to the Ephesians, Chapter 4, verse 28."

"It will seem strange without Kentrosaurus here at the moment, but he is about doing the Lord's work." said Woolly Rhino.

"Please reside within our prayer garden for your rest and relaxation while I continue to prepare," offered Woolly Mammoth. "Peace be with you both; I will let you know when the sermon begins."

The two rhinos cheerfully turned to depart for the prayer garden while others began to arrive for the sermon. But then, all of the megafauna were alarmed to suddenly see Smilodon arriving.

"This could be very bad," said Western Black Rhino. "Woolly Mammoth, what are we to do now?"

"Have faith, Western Black Rhino. We rescued Smilodon from the tar pits years ago. He repented from the murder of Giant Ground Sloth, but has rarely been seen at Church. As with Spinosaurus do not assume the worst."

"Trust is hard to come by, knowing his nature," admitted Woolly Rhino. "Proceed carefully, and I will protect you both. With my life, if I have to."

Woolly Rhino did not want Woolly Mammoth to step forward, but Mammoth stepped toward Smilodon, saying "Peace be upon you, brother Smilodon. Welcome, in the Name of the Lord God, and Please do not eat us."

"I will not eat you. I have been inspired to come hear the Word of God today. Am I late for the sermon?" asked Smilodon.

"No, you are not," said Woolly Mammoth. It is on St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians, with a focus on Chapter 4, verse 28." said Woolly Mammoth. "It is so nice to see you. The sermon will begin shortly."

The nervous Rhinos remained with Woolly Mammoth, still very nervous. Woolly Mammoth was not afraid, but he welcomed the protection. Then came along Spinosaurus, the first time anyone had seen him since Christmas.

"Today is just not our day to feel easy," Western Black Rhino. "Christmas has been over now for several weeks. Spinosaurus will not be on his best behavior."

"There should be an abundance of caution," agreed Woolly Mammoth. "But be patient and trust in the Lord. The Lord God never gives us more than we can handle."

"Be at peace, I mean no harm to any one on this the Lord's Day, Sunday." said Spinosaurus. "I ate well before I have come to Church and so I assure you that I have come to be inspired by the sermon today."

"I am so glad, and so glad to see you," said Woolly Mammoth. "Be welcome, Spinosaurus. The sermon will shortly begin."

The Rhinos finally felt they could go to the Prayer Garden, and Woolly Mammoth continued building his bonfire.

"Where is Sister Quagga?" asked Smilodon of Woolly Mammoth. "Does she ever come to Church?"

"Do you promise not to eat her if I tell you?" asked Woolly Mammoth.

"Of course, I will be on my best behavior, just like Spinosaurus."

"Okay then," said Woolly Mammoth. "Sister Quagga is with Widow Ground Sloth, Junior Ground Sloth, Kentrosaurus and Steve Beaver planting trees today. She rarely comes to Church, but I pray for her every day; she has a good heart and is very generous. I hope she will come to the Lord on her own time someday. The door is always open at my Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival."

"I was only concerned as I had not seen her in a while," said Smilodon.

Woolly Mammoth wasn't quite sure he believed that, but he decided not to press Smilodon on the matter; he decided a good sermon would speak to Smilodon's heart far better than a general scolding.

He said, "There, Smilodon, we now have a good bonfire going. The sermon is about to begin. Please join the congregation."

Then Woolly Mammoth went to the Prayer Garden to fetch Woolly Rhino and Western Black Rhino, and when he returned the Rhinos also joined the congregation and the sermon began.

"Brothers and sisters, in the Name of the Lord Jesus, welcome. Today our sermon is outdoors in spite of the cooler weather. I have built a bonfire to keep us warm, should our fur not be adequate. Or, if you do not have fur, like Spinosaurus," said Woolly Mammoth, noting that the usually fearsome meat eater looked rather innocent curled up by the fire, yet attentive to the soon to arrive sermon.

"Today our sermon is on St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians," said Woolly Mammoth. "Ephesus was an ancient city in Anatolia; it became one of the early centers of Christian activity in the first three centuries of our Lord but it had been inhabited since the Neolithic age by many pre Christian peoples. Thus, It had temples both Christian and Pagan, and its Christian Church St. John mentioned in his Revelation. It was an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia, in present day Turkey. The author of the Epistle on which I speak a sermon today St. Paul lived there from Anno Domini 52 ~ 54, speaking sermons, and conducting missionary acts though the Epistle he wrote to the Ephesians was written in A.D. 62 or so, when St. Paul was imprisoned in Rome. It is also rumored that Mary the mother of Jesus spent her last years on earth in Ephesus; the house where she lived still stands today. The great days of Ephesus ended in the 15th century; Mammals abandoned it long ago, but still think enough of its remains to declare it a World Heritage Site as of 5 short years ago. St. Paul spoke to the Ephesians when they were a large, thriving city of Godly citizens thus, saying as I say to you now,' Grace and peace to you from our Lord, Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in the Heavenly, spiritual realms with every blessing!' As famous mammals have said, 'I give to you as I have received, for the more I give the more I have'; the Lord's love is infinite! 'The Lord chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be blameless and Holy in His sight! In his all encompassing love!' Can you not feel it in the air, brothers and sisters? Can you not feel it surrounding you as we gather in this out of doors Sky Church, how can you not feel the Love of the Lord God if you believe? Tell me, give me 'Amen!' if you can feel it!

And the small gathering declared unanimously 'Amen!'

"Now Brothers and Sisters, I have said before the Sermon started I wanted to preach on Ephesians Chapter 4, with a focus on verse 28. So we'll start at the beginning of Chapter 4. God love you."

'Amen!' said a few voices in the congregation.

"I say again, God love you, and you should rejoice in being a child of God, a student of the Lord. As St. Paul tells the Ephesians, 'I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received! Be humble and gentle, be patient in your expressions of love to one another. Make every effort to be peaceful; you are all united in this holy bond. For there is one body and one spirit, just as when you were called to one hope: one Lord, one faith; one baptism; one God, and one Father.'

The Lord God gives us grace, as the Christ in a manner of His own determination; as we are told in the Psalms, "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people."

"Christ gave himself to the prophets, to the evangelists, the rabbis, the pastors, and the teachers, that they may ready themselves for a life full of good works and service. Thus, may be body of Christ be built up in the Earth until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ! Come with me, Brothers and Sisters! Be not left behind! The Lord wants you to be part of the Heavenly Jubilee! He wants all mammals! All megafauna! All dinosaurs! All birds! All insects, yea, even insects into his Kingdom! Come one, come all, to feel the Love of Christ Jesus! 'Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming'. For we will know and be certain of the place we go, and need not fear extinction! See the light! Feel the light! This is the love of the Lord, and the way, the road to eternal salvation! As famous mammals have said, 'Let danger never turn you aside from the pursuit of honor, or the Glory of Christ Jesus! Extinction is inevitable, but the fame of Godly virtue is immortal!' Immortal, I tell you! immortal!"

"Thus, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ !! He is within !! Calling to you, waiting to be heard! So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed !!! Turn not this way, but towards the Lord Jesus! Jesus is, IS, the WAY! The WAY, Brothers and Sisters! Fear not, for He is with you in Heart and Soul! The way of greed and selfishness, of earthly depravity is not what you have been destined! You are destined for Salvation! The Lord wants you for salvation! He wants you to come HOME! 'You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness !!'

"Though it be difficult, remain on the straight and narrow path, long suffering bears fruit in the end, a joyous reunion with those we've loved, extinct before us, but we must remember, 'Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.' Live the life of service to your fellow traveler on life's journey, from the very beginning to the very end, charity is your moral responsibility, not a purpose of the civil authority; but rather you should give of your own that which you have. And I implore you, so as you speak, so shall you be judged, so speak not unkindly; speak only words of love and hope, if you can not speak kindly, say it not, or think it either!

Returning to the scripture, again St. Paul says, 'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.' Go in peace, my Brothers and Sisters! This is the message St. Paul gave the Ephesians, and the one I give to you and urge you most heartily to heed today, so many dire events in the World today, wars and rumors of wars, meteors, comets, floods, earthquakes, there being no shortage of calamity; but you can be at peace within by following the Lord and being not in disagreement with your fellow, be he megafauna, dinosaur, mammal, or other being. Go in love, Go in Peace. God love you."

Early one morning in late November after Thanksgiving a distressed Widow Ground Sloth came for a visit to the Woolly Mammoth Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival in search of advice. First she came upon Kentrosaurus, who was, of course attending his groundskeeper duties, and could tell as Widow Ground Sloth approached that she was under great distress.

"What is wrong, dear Widow Ground Sloth? May the peace of the Lord be upon you !!" exclaimed Kentrosaurus. "Oh Kentrosaurus !! Fear not, I am well, as is Junior, but I am still quite distressed! Is Woolly Mammoth here?" rejoined Widow Ground Sloth.

"Yes, he is, he has returned from Egypt, and is now in prayer in our Prayer Garden. May I assist you?"

"Oh, I cannot tell you about it; please may I speak to Woolly Mammoth?"

"If it is truly what you desire, I will go get Woolly Mammoth for you; but please, if you will consider it, am glad to listen. Please tell me what is wrong."

Seeing that Kentrosaurus was sincere, Widow Ground Sloth changed her mind. Yet still she hesitated. "Oh, all right," she said.

"You know we had a great storm on the plains just after the Holiday."

"Yes, it gave me some extra work to do."

"Well, I fear it has damaged the forest you planted for us very badly. Many great trees are down and Junior and I are very sad."

"Be not distressed, Good Widow Ground Sloth. I planted the forest for you and would be delighted to help you replant it; I am just as good at planting trees as I am at eating them; God's grace be with you and fear not; for as the Lord God says in St. John 16:33: In the Lord " you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but take courage, for I have overcome the World."

I knew that here I could find peace to ease my mind," said Widow Ground Sloth. "When the storm ended I sent Junior to visit with Sister Quagga on the plains. I know he'll be safe there until we can replant."

"Now let us be the paws and claws of the Lord God and make manifest that which shall bring about healing. What else can I do?" asked Kentrosaurus.

"I hate to ask, but can you help me replant it? I feel guilty as though I should have been a better steward of my gift. That I let you down somehow."

"You have not let me down," assured Kentrosaurus. "The storm is an act of God, and God has His own mysterious reasons for the results of storms. Nor should you fear any punishment for the results of the storm. We can later meditate on why and the lesson the Lord intends us to learn here by His actions, but right now, let us not delay in the repair of your forest. The Lord is always with you; even in times when He seems to challenge us with events such as this. In asking for my help, you are not creating a burden for me. It is a Christian thing to do, to help your neighbor. As we are told in the Book of Hebrews 6:10: "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."

"Besides," Kentrosaurus continued, "I need to break for lunch anyway. Let us go."

Kentrosaurus and Widow Ground Sloth worked for days, clearing and eating deadwood, and replanting with young trees. Then, on December 21st, they came to the remains of Widow Ground Sloth's Avocado Grove.

"All of the forest is replanted now, except for my Avocado Grove. I really miss Avocados; I can't wait til these trees grow again. They take a while to bear fruit."

"Did you plant them? I cannot recall adding them to the forest originally."

"I didn't. I thought you did," said Widow Ground Sloth.

"Perhaps they are a gift from The Lord; I did not plant them; I have no Avocado seeds available to me."

"Oh dear," said Widow Ground Sloth. "Junior will be so disappointed if we can not return the Avocados. What can we do? Where can we find Avocado seeds?"

"Fear not, for the Lord will provide to those who have faith in Him. Let us return to the Church, and we will pray and ask the Lord. Perhaps Woolly Mammoth may also have advice. I trust his wise council."

And so, Kentrosaurus and Widow Ground Sloth returned to Woolly Mammoth's Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival, where Woolly Mammoth was grazing in the yard, having finished his meditation in the prayer garden.

"Hello, Kentrosaurus, Widow Ground Sloth !! May peace be upon you both!"

"Woolly Mammoth, we have just returned from the forest I planted for Widow Ground Sloth and Junior. A great tragedy has befallen them; for the storm which visited us late last month destroyed many trees in the forest and we have worked many days to replant them."

"Are you all right Widow Ground Sloth? And your son Junior? Where is he? Is he okay?"

"Yes, he is fine," said Widow Ground Sloth. "Since the storm happened I sent him to visit Sister Quagga on the plains. Kentrosaurus and I have worked hard to replant the forest these last few weeks."

"Praise be to the Lord," said Woolly Mammoth. "I am glad to hear that you and Junior are all right. We should Praise and Thank the Lord for his many blessings and mercies."

"I do, every day, Woolly Mammoth, and I am grateful for the Lord's bright blessings and razzleberry dressing, but I am still very sad and distressed," confessed Widow Ground Sloth.

"Peace be upon you," said Woolly Mammoth. "As we are told in the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 14 verse 27: 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid'."

"Oh, thank you Woolly Mammoth. You are so kind," said Widow Ground Sloth. "But it was the will of God to destroy my Avocado Grove; and I am not sure how to replant it; Kentrosaurus says he did not do it; and he has no Avocado seeds to replant them again. Apparently it was there before the rest of the forest was planted, and I've managed to eat all the seeds I had before the storm. Now we have no avocados."

"Shed not a tear, for the Lord will provide." said Woolly Mammoth. "We are coming fast upon the Christmas holiday, and Spinosaurus is planning to leave soon for Brazil, where he will travel around the world with Stegosaurus Claus; let us ask Spinosaurus to bring your dilemma to the attention of Stegosaurus Claus. He is close with the Lord and spreading cheer and Christmas Spirit. and if he cannot plant you an avocado grove, I am sure he'll know someone who can."

"Thank you, Woolly Mammoth, Kentrosaurus. Your friendship is a blessing," said Widow Ground Sloth.

"I urge you to rest in our Prayer Garden for the night, and in the morning you and I will visit Spinosaurus before he leaves for Brazil. We can ask him to bring up your request for an Avocado grove to Stegosaurus Claus. Anyone Stegosaurus Claus can bring to your aid will be doing the work of the Lord God," said Woolly Mammoth.

"I will remain here at the Church, tending the grounds and guarding the property," said Kentrosaurus.

So it was that on December 22nd in the morning Widow Ground Sloth and Woolly Mammoth headed to the lake in which Spinosaurus lived in order to ask him for help.

"Ever since science decided that Spinosaurus was semi aquatic he has moved into the lake on the edge of the plains and has really thrived," observed Woolly Mammoth.

"I am glad you are coming with me," said Widow Ground Sloth. "It is never entirely safe in the presence of meat eating animals such as Spinosaurus," said Widow Ground Sloth.

"Yes, very true, " rejoined Woolly Mammoth. "But fear not; the Lord will protect those who believe. Furthermore, this is the Christmas Season, so he'll be on good behavior so that he gets to travel with Stegosaurus Claus."

They found Spinosaurus on the edge of the shore eating a great meal of fish.

"Hail, Spinosaurus!" said Woolly Mammoth. "The Grace of the Lord be with you!"

"Woolly Mammoth! Widow Ground Sloth!" Exclaimed Spinosaurus. "How nice of you to stop by my lake. This is my new home that I have enjoyed since science told me I was semi aquatic; I really enjoy it. Now I am eating a meal of fish before I leave for Brazil where I will travel with Stegosaurus Claus as he delivers presents to all the good little girls and boys of the world. Not to mention all the synapsids, megafauna and nomen dubium dinosaurs as well!"

"How kind of you to protect Stegosaurus Claus on his long, annual journey," said Widow Ground Sloth.

"I do my best," said Spinosaurus. "For all the talk of Peace on Earth and Good Will to Mammals everywhere, those same Mammals sure to like to fight and make the world a dangerous place to live in. Somebody has to protect Stegosaurus Claus so he can keep hope alive and spread Christmas Cheer."

"We have come to ask you a favor," said Woolly Mammoth. "You do, I am sure, recall the great storm we had just after Thanksgiving."

"Yes, I do, indeed," said Spinosaurus. "I decided then it was best to hide underwater until it passed; this was not a hardship on me because I have found I really like being underwater ever since science told me I could swim. What do you need?"

"This great storm was the means by which the Lord God destroyed the forest of Widow Ground Sloth and her son Junior. Widow Ground Sloth and my groundskeeper Kentrosaurus have re planted everything except for Widow Ground Sloth's favorite Avocado Grove," explained Woolly Mammoth.

"Yes, we have no seeds, for Junior and I ate all of them before the storm, not realizing the importance of them til now." interjected Widow Ground Sloth.

"We would be forever grateful if you would speak for Widow Ground Sloth and Junior to Stegosaurus Claus; perhaps the jolly Stegosaurus Stenops will be able to speak on the behalf of Widow Ground Sloth and Junior to the Lord God, and the Lord God will provide a grove of Avocado trees for Christmastime," said Woolly Mammoth.

"In the Spirit of Christmas I will help you," said Spinosaurus. "I am already bound by my promise to Stegosaurus Claus that while guarding him on his Annual Nightly Journey to deliver presents around the World that I will abstain from my natural behavior and not eat anyone or anything, especially not children. So I will not eat any Ground Sloths either; in this period, dust shall be my food; as it says in the Bible, Isaiah Chapter 11 verse 6:“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.” and thus, will the Spinosaurus be at peace and graze with the Ground Sloth in harmony."

"I am pleased to see you know so well the Word of God," said Woolly Mammoth.

"I am touched by your kindness and Christian Charity," wept Widow Ground Sloth. "Thank you so much."

And the very next day Spinosaurus set off from South Africa for Brazil; and when he arrived at the Workshop of Stegosaurus Claus, he explained the dilemma of Widow Ground Sloth and Junior to Stegosaurus Claus.

"Yes, I can help," said Stegosaurus Claus; "This wish can be granted; for I have someone in mind who is as knowledgeable about the planting and cultivation of plants as I am in eating Christmas Trees and tree shaped cookies. In situations such as this, the Lord speaks through those who offer help to their fellow dinosaur, their fellow megafauna, their fellow mammal. When they do the work of God, they make manifest His presence on the Earth; and bring that peace and good will so often spoken of in poetic verse, and lovely song."

By Christmas Eve, the forest of the Ground Sloths was not quite as well grown as it had been before the storm, but it did provide adequate cover and was a pleasant home in which to spend the Christmas holiday. Junior Ground Sloth had long since returned from his visit to the African plains and Sister Quagga; he was with his mother, Widow Ground Sloth.

"Mama," said Junior Ground Sloth... "It sure would be nice if we had some Avocado trees to eat from for Christmas. I really like Avocados and miss having them for Christmas dinner."

"Well, we don't have any seeds, son, so we'll have to hope that we'll get a present from Stegosaurus Claus this year," said Widow Ground Sloth.

"I have been good, haven't I, Mama? Have you been good?"

Widow Ground Sloth laughed. "Yes, son, you have been good. I hope I have been good, too."

"I think you're good," Junior Ground Sloth affirmed. "I'm sorry we ate them all," he continued.

"Don't worry, son. Just rest now and go to sleep. We'll see what tomorrow brings us," said Widow Ground Sloth.

"All right, Mama. Good night," said Junior Ground Sloth.

The Ground Sloths slept, with blissful visions of Avocado Trees in their heads.

When Junior Ground Sloth woke up in the morning he went just outside the forest to see if he could find any Avocado Trees. He looked throughout the new, young forest .... and yet, he came back initially disappointed. "Mama," he said, "I looked all over the forest inside and out. Upside and Down. Yet I see no Avocado Trees. I am so sad for where is our Christmas Miracle?"

"Do not fret son, nor question the will of the Lord. He works in mysterious ways and will bring us Avocado Trees in his own time. Have faith," responded Widow Ground Sloth. "Now get ready to visit Woolly Mammoth and Kentrosaurus at the Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival. I am sure that there will be a Christmas Service."

"Okay, Mama," said Junior Ground Sloth, trying to keep his chin up.

When the Ground Sloths left their forest they met Kentrosaurus on the path headed to the church.

"Kentrosaurus! Here you are, coming in our direction when we are ourselves headed to church for the Christmas service. What brings you to us so early on this Holy Morning?" asked Widow Ground Sloth.

"I could not wait for you to arrive at church," said Kentrosaurus. "I do believe we have a Christmas surprise for you and Junior. Come with me!"

The Ground Sloths were now intrigued, but too afraid to ask if the surprise might involve Avocado Trees. The Ground Sloths went as fast as they could, but did not want to outpace Kentrosaurus, who can only run about 5 miles per hour. He's very slow.

When they arrived at Woolly Mammoth's Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival they found Woolly Mammoth in the prayer garden with a mammal they had never seen before.

"Hello, Widow Ground Sloth; Junior," said Woolly Mammoth. "It is my pleasure to introduce to you our friend Steve Beaver, who has been sent as an agent of the Lord to help replant your Avocado Trees."

"Stegosaurus Claus gave us the present we asked for!" Exclaimed Junior excitedly. "We will have Avocados again! Oh, for joy!"

Steve said, "It is a pleasure to meet you both, Widow Ground Sloth and Junior. I will be glad to help you plant your Avocado trees again. Storms happen, but we can get your Avocado grove back up and healthy in no time. If there's one thing I know, it is about how to plant Avocados. I can make anything grow if I set my mind to it!"

"Praise the Lord!" said Kentrosaurus. "What other plants interest you? I am the groundskeeper here at Church, and would be pleased to hear your advice on any new plants, flowers or vegetables."

"What I should really like to do is crossbreed two kinds of vegetables to make a new kind of vegetable. Say, a Cantaloupe and a Squash."

Kentrosaurus looked at Woolly Mammoth. Woolly Mammoth looked at Widow Ground Sloth. Widow Ground Sloth looked at her son Junior and their eyes grew large with amazement.

"He knows how to make vegetables EVOLVE!" exclaimed Kentrosaurus. "I always knew mammals were smart! Mr. Beaver sir, I am sure you know much more about plants and growing things than I ever will. Let me ask, have you ever heard of my American cousin Stegosaurus?"

"Why yes, I have," said Steve.

"I thought you might, being from America. My cousin is very famous there. Anyhow, he has been working for some time with recently retired Congresssaurus Triceratops on the fascinating scientific endeavor of extracting sunlight from cucumbers. Do you know how to extract sunlight from cucumbers?"

"I'll bet Mr. Beaver lives in a floating city!" said Junior Ground Sloth.

"Well," Steve laughed. "I hate to burst your bubble or the bubbles of Stegosaurus or Congresssaurus Triceratops, but it is quite impossible to extract sunlight from cucumbers. I know your cousin and Triceratops are reading not from a book of science, but rather from a famous book of mammal satire. The author, Johnathan Swift, was making a political statement that was also a joke of sorts. And even more impossible, I don't live in a floating city. I live on a mountain; no mammals yet can live in floating cities, because cities don't float."

"Oh dear," said Widow Ground Sloth.

"The Lord God be praised! For we have increased our knowledge today! Education is a gift from the Lord Jesus!" said Woolly Mammoth.

"Don't worry," said Steve hurriedly, seeing that the delighted attitude of most of the assembled megafauna and dinosaurs had suddenly lowered. "I may not be able to extract sunlight from cucumbers, and I don't live in a floating city, but I can most assuredly replant your Avocado grove. I am not sure if I can make vegetables "evolve", BUT, I am sure going to try. You can help me if you'd like, Kentrosaurus."

"Wow! Really? I am honored, sir. I would be glad to help you and learn from you," said Kentrosaurus. "I'm determined to succeed ~~~ I'm gonna try really hard to learn many new things about growing the things I love to eat!"

"I can teach anyone willing to learn," said Steve.

Everyone rejoiced, for the Lord delivered his gift through Stegosaurus Claus and Steve Beaver, and thus, Christmas was saved, and everyone was merry.

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Salut, je m'appelle Loricatosaurus !!

Mon mari bien-aimé, ayant maintenant réconcilié le fait qu'il n'existe pas a décidé de voyager avec moi la prochaine fois que je partirai me retrouver. Cette fois, l'aventure de ma découverte imminente nous a conduits aux ruines de l'ancienne ville égyptienne de Tanis, connue dans la Bible hébraïque comme la ville de Sion. Mon mari fidèle et dévoué et moi avons pris notre radeau et avons flotté sans détour vers la côte nord de l'Égypte ; les ruines sont juste au nord de la ville du Caire. Le voyage était long, comme les voyages par radeau sont, (franchement même en flottant), mais heureusement rien d'inattendu ne s'est produit.

Dès que nos griffes ont marché sur le sable de l'Égypte, mon mari a demandé : "Qu'est-ce qui vous a poussé à vous chercher dans le plus des anciennes villes ? Était-ce dans un rêve ? As-tu recherché un indice spécifique, où Tu veux juste passer de belles vacances exotiques ? Toi et moi avons eu beaucoup d'agréables vacances exotiques au fil des ans. "

« J'ai dit à mon mari : Je vais te raconter l'histoire de cette région et pourquoi nous sommes ici. Il y a une sorte de connexion française, comme nous avons piétiné la terre, la topographie a changé des terres agricoles irriguées créées par les mammifères locaux dans un désert sec et poussiéreux ; nous l'avons tous les deux trouvé plus confortable à mesure que nous nous éloignons de la civilisation des mammifères, J'étais contente que nous ayons planifié à l'avance et préparé un pique-nique car il y avait peu de nourriture pour un dinosaure fourni par la nature dans ce domaine. Nous avons passé le temps avec cette histoire de l'histoire de la ville de Tanis.

Il y avait, à une époque, une race de mammifères connue sous le nom de Hyksos, ils étaient d'origine levantine, du Levant dans l'Empire ottoman ... bien sûr vous souvenez où nous avons passé notre lune de miel ; c'était dans cette partie du monde, d'où ces mammifères sont originaires. Ils ont installé cette zone au XVIe siècle avant JC, " Lexovisaurus hocha la tête. « Fascinant », dit-il.

J'ai continué, Ils ont régné ici, la partie nord du pays, et ont établi la 15e dynastie égyptienne. Ils n'ont pas gouverné toute l'Égypte, mais a coexisté avec au moins les deux périodes dynastiques précédentes dirigeantes. Ils n'ont pas non plus conquis lors d'une invasion, comme certains l'ont prétendu ; c'est très probablement qu'ils étaient issus de mammifères cananéens qui avaient régné ici depuis la 13e dynastie. Les Hyksos pratiquaient à la fois cananéens et les coutumes levantines ainsi que celles de l'Egypte. Ils n'ont pas, comme autant que les archives de l'archéologie peuvent nous dire, s'engager dans beaucoup de bâtiments distinctifs d'habitations pour constituer une ville mais plutôt adapté les habitations des villes et des habitations abandonnées par des cultures précédentes. Cela comprenait même des choses telles que le célèbre monument de cette région ; ils n'ont pas construit mais adapté ce qu'ils ont trouvé en écrivant leurs noms sur les monuments. C'est dans la ville que nous sommes allés à Tanis, dont ils sont les premiers habitants connus, bien que clairement, il y avait des mammifères qui les ont précédés qui ont été perdus à l'histoire. Lorsque le fondateur de la dix-huitième dynastie en Égypte prit pouvoir, Ahmose I, il est allé en guerre avec les Hyksos et les a fait disparaître.

Sous le règne de Ramsès II à la 19e dynastie d'Égypte, les ruines sont devenues la capitale de la 14e division territoriale en Égypte ; Ramsès II, et plus tard son fils, ont également adopté la pratique d'écrire leurs noms sur les monuments existants, ainsi que sur les colonnes et les vestiges des zones civiques de la ville. Il y a des mammifères qui disent que là il n'y avait pas de bâtiments originaux ici avant la 21e dynastie ; mais c'est contesté car les restes de beaucoup plus anciens peuvent être trouvés ici, et les vraies origines de la ville ont été perdues dans le temps à cause de toute la construction et reconstruction du bâtiment. À la 22e dynastie, la ville a perdu son statut royal parce que le Nil a commencé à s'assécher alors que la Terre le recouvrait et ainsi il a été abandonné par les Egyptiens. Une race de mammifères connue sous le nom de Ptolémaïque l'a occupé et a construit certaines des structures qui y restent aujourd'hui. Ils ont régné durant quelque temps entre 30 av. et durant la semaine dernière. À la fin de l'Antiquité, certains mammifères qui ont souscrit à une variété de la religion du mammouth laineux, appelée l'Église copte orthodoxe, les évêques de Tanis y ont été établis là. Ils sont restés jusqu'au 7 siècle après J.-C.

Bien qu'à l'heure actuelle ce ne soit pas un évêché occupé, il conserve un statut titulaire en tant que tel dans l'Église catholique depuis l'âge des mammifères appelez Médiéval. " "Alors, où est le lien français avec ça ? En sommes-nous encore là ?" a demandé Lexovisaurus. "C'est drôle que tu me demande ça, car nous sommes sur le point d'arriver à ce point de l'histoire », ai-je dit à mon mari.

« Après la disparition des mammifères religieux au 7ème siècle après J.-C., Tanis était abandonné depuis longtemps. Personne ne l'a visité, ni mammifère ni dinosaure ou quoi que ce soit pendant une longue période. Puis la semaine dernière, ou peut-être que c'était vers 1798, le chef militaire français Napoléon Bonaparte a traversé L'Egypte, ainsi que le pays de la Syrie (1798 à 1801) ostensiblement pour protéger les intérêts commerciaux français. Il a fait de nombreuses découvertes en Egypte .... l'un d'eux, l'un des plus importants aboutit à la découverte de la Rosetta Stone, qui a donné aux mammifères modernes la capacité de traduire les hiéroglyphes égyptiens dans une langue qu'ils peuvent lire. Cela a aussi commencé l'étude de l'Égypte ancienne appelée égyptologie. Jean-François Champollion a convaincu notre roi de l'époque, Charles X, d'acheter une grande collection d'artefacts découverts en Égypte, dont certains avait été trouvé dans les ruines du temple d'Amon, surtout un très grand sphinx en marbre qui est dans notre musée du Louvre avec quelque 9 000 autres artefacts depuis environ 1825. Au 19e siècle d'autres mammifères sont revenus pour explorer Tanis, certains anglais et d'autres français. Le troisième mammifère à fouiller Tanis, était le Français Pierre Monet. Il a aussi fait des découvertes, les plus significatives. "

"Allons-nous rencontrer cet important mammifère ?" demanda mon mari. "Hélas, non," dis-je. "Les mammifères ont une vie si courte ; il s'est éteint en 1966. " "Et ses découvertes importantes ?" demanda Lexovisaurus. "Son plus important s'est produit en 1939 quand il a découvert le royal Nécropole des 21e et 22e dynasties égyptiennes. Le 27 février 1939

Il fit la découverte du tombeau du pharaon Osorkon II, qui avait été pillés par des voleurs il y a longtemps, mais cette découverte a conduit à la découverte du lieu de repos du fils d'Osorkon II, Takélot II, et d'une troisième tombe, celui de Psousennès Ier, troisième souverain de la 21e dynastie. Aussi complètement intacte était le lieu de repos de l'inconnu de l'époque Pharaon Shoshenq II. Cette découverte rivalisait celle de la découverte de la tombe de Toutankhamon en 1922, mais la presse britannique et américaine ne pas faire la une des journaux parce que les mammifères avaient alors commencé une grande guerre, celle dans laquelle Spinosaurus, sœur Quagga et cousine Kentrosaurus ont participé ; et la nouvelle n'était pas largement connue hors de France jusqu'à la fin de la guerre. Montet avait découvert deux autres tombes, celle d'Amenemope et Shoshenq III, mais les mammifères ont commencé à se battre en Égypte, et il n'a pas été en mesure de terminer leur exploration jusqu'à ce que la guerre sous terminée. En 1947, il retourna en Egypte et découvrit une autre tombe, celui d'un chef militaire qui avait servi sous le pharaon Psousennès I. "

"Eh bien c'est très bon pour les mammifères d'Egypte, mais qu'est-ce qui te fais penser que tu te retrouverais ici ? » a demandé mon mari. "Les Français ont eu beaucoup de chance ici", lui ai-je dit. "Je suis Français, et peut-être que j'aurai aussi de la chance. " « C'est très logique », observa Lexovisaurus. "Tout mon apprentissage à l'université m'a probablement fait réfléchir." J'ai dit. Enfin nous sommes arrivés aux ruines de la ville de Tanis, et la première chose que nous avons fait est de nous reposer. Mon mari m'a réveillé de mon sommeil ; il s'était levé plus tôt et avait piétiné les ruines du temple d'Amon. « Viens vite ici, ma chère ! J'ai trouvé le mammouth laineux ! « Veux-tu dire un monument de mammouth laineux ? J'ai demandé, me levant et secouent ma tête pour me réveiller. "Non," dit Lexovisaurus ; "C'est le vrai mammouth laineux." « Intéressant », ai-je dit en arrivant aux côtés de mon mari. " Soyons calme, alors. Il semble qu'il est dans un état méditatif et nous ne devons pas le déranger. " « Je me demande pourquoi il est venu ici, pense-tu qu'il se cherche aussi ? "D'une certaine manière, je suppose que c'est vrai," dis-je. "Rappelons-nous que les Hébreux appelaient Tanis la ville de Sion. C'est important dans la Bible. " "Oui, d'accord. D'accord. Nous continuerons ailleurs et laisserons mammouth laineux tranquille, " a dit Lexovisaurus. "S'il vous plaît laissez-moi savoir avant de déranger quoi que ce soit. Je ne veux pas causer de dommage à ces artefacts ou creuser à moins que nous puissions trouver des preuves de mon fossile. » j’ai dit à mon mari. "Comme tu veux," dit-il.

Alors que Lexovisaurus était de l'autre côté des ruines du temple d'Amon, j'ai inspecté quelques-unes des colonnes tombées et brisées éparpillées dans la zone. Celles-ci étaient de très grande construction ; assez impressionnant pour les méthodes de construction connues que les mammifères avaient à ce temps. Je pourrais y réfléchir, mais j'étais vraiment plus intéressé à me trouver que l'histoire des mammifères à ce moment. J'ai vu une colonne sur laquelle étaient inscrits les noms de plusieurs Pharaons, bien sûr, notamment Ramsès II, puis autre chose inattendu a attiré mon attention. « Oh Lexovisaurus, mon cher, viens ici, s'il te plaît ?

" Oui ?" » demanda-t-il en piétinant très vite à mon côté. « Qu'avons-nous ici sur cette colonne brisée ? As-tu écrit par hasard nos noms à côté de Ramsès II ? " "Oui mon chéri. Je me suis dit que si tous les pharaons pouvaient le faire, pourquoi pas moi ? Aussi, j'ai appris à écrire nos noms pendant que vous étiez en Chine afin que je pourrais laisser une marque qui exprimait notre amour au monde. " "Oh c'est très gentil, mais tu sais tu as écrit sur un ancien artefact. Ce sera généralement mal vu par les paléontologues et Égyptologues. " Il a dit dans un script écrit avec les griffes de mon mari, "Lexovisaurus aime Loricatosaurus ". "Je suis désolé. C'était bien intentionnée," dit Lexovisaurus. "Ce qui est fait est fait, et c'était un bon geste. Fais juste attention sur ce que tu écris dans le futur. " « Je n'étais pas en colère contre mon mari, et il n'était pas en colère ; nous sommes allés aux colonnes et on a commencé à creuser. Nous avons creusé pendant presque deux semaines, et je ne me suis pas retrouvé, mais nous avons tous les deux fait beaucoup d'exercice. Sur le 15ème jour, nous avons décidé de retourner dans notre grotte en France. "

It was a bright midsummer day at the Woolly Mammoth Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival when Mammoth, recovered from his bout with laryngitis announced to Kentrosaurus his plans for summer vacation.

"I have been very impressed with how you handled care for the Church when The Lord saw fit for a time to deprive me of my voice," he said. "Thus, I feel it will be safe to leave the Church in your care as I spend mid August to mid September in Meditation retreat at the ancient Egyptian city of Tannis, known to our Bible as the glorious city of Zion."

"I am honored that you see fit to entrust me with something so important," said Kentrosaurus. "I will do my very best to care for the Church."

"If you do as well as you have during my illness, you will do fine. Ask the Lord to guide you as you stomp about your daily tasks; No day should begin any undertaking without a prayer of intercession to The Most High. Remember this, and you cannot fail. I have faith in you."

With these words, Woolly Mammoth set off for Egypt with such resolution of purpose that he did not look back; such was his faith in the care Kentrosaurus would give the Church.

Kentrosaurus, however was more than a little nervous; moreso than when Mammoth had laryngitis for Mammoth was still at the Church even though he could not speak and his illness was much shorter than his meditation retreat vacation would be. He thought he might visit Widow Ground Sloth and her son Junior, but they were happily in the shade of the forest that he had planted for them; being delighted that his gift had given them such joy he chose not to disturb them and decided to start trimming the grass in the Meditation garden. It was in this activity he was engaged when he received a visit from both Western Black Rhino and Woolly Rhino.

Since the formation of the Cold Weather / Megafauna DIsaster Relief Agency, ( cold weather disaster unit of the Stegosaurus Disaster Relief Agency ) lonely Western Black Rhino, who has had difficulty in adjusting to a life of extinction, finally found a good friend in Woolly Rhino, who had some 8 to 10 thousand years' experience in being extinct.

"Hail, Kentrosaurus!" said Woolly Rhino. As Kentrosaurus heard the rhinos approaching he came from the Meditation Garden to discover what they wanted; naturally, he began to think of Bible verses he could give a sermon on; he was hopeful that the way he delivered the Word of the Lord God would save some souls today.

"What can I do for you today?" he asked.

"We are passing through on our way to the African Plain in order to visit with Sister Quagga and graze there with her; we thought we might stop for a moment and seek the shade, some water, and your company for a bit, if you are not too busy." said Western Black Rhino.

"But whosoever drinks the water I give will not be thirsty; the water I give will become as a spring gushing up inside that person; giving eternal life.' Gospel of St. John, 4:14," said Kentrosaurus as he led them in the direction of the stream in the Meditation Garden.

"Thank you kindly," said Woolly Rhino, though he thought immediately afterward, 'Alas !! But we are already extinct !!'

"Have you been busy with the Megafauna Disaster Relief Agency?"

"We are at the ready," said Western Black Rhino, "But there is not much call for snow in South Africa, so we have not yet in all this time, been deployed to where we might do good."

As the rhinos drank of the water offered, Kentrosaurus observed, " The time will come, when it is the will of the Lord God."

When the rhinos had had their fill of water, and of politely tolerating Kentrosaurus' recitation of various Bible verses, they said "Thank you." and bid him farewell, leaving the Church and stomping onto the African plains in search of SIster Quagga. They found her where they expected to, in the tall grass where she was most content.

"Greetings Sister Quagga !!" said Western Black Rhino.

"Western Black Rhino ! Woolly Rhino !! How nice to see you both! It is so nice to see you making friends, Western Black Rhino. I know how hard it is adjusting to extinction the first few years."

"Extinction isn't something you get over, you just learn how to live with it and build a life around no longer having a life." said Western Black Rhino.

"And I have a new friend after I have been extinct for 8 to 10 thousand years," said Woolly Rhino. "We have so much in common!"

"Would you mind if we helped you graze and trim the grass of the plains?" asked Western Black Rhino.

"I would be delighted for the company," said Sister Quagga; "Please do! Let us make this a festive occasion !!"

"Sister Quagga is always so festive, " Western Black Rhino told Woolly Rhino.

"I must keep the plains trimmed; their true festive glory shines through when the grass is trimmed and you can see for miles," said Sister Quagga.

The three friends set to their task, and before long came upon a tree, which had African Ground Pangolin hanging by his tail from one of its branches.

"Hello, there!" said African Ground Pangolin.

"Hello, African Ground Pangolin," said Sister Quagga. "How are you this fine day?"

"I am very well ! In fact, I think I should live up to my name and come down from this tree," said African Ground Pangolin, who subsequently let go of the branch he was on, grasped the tree trunk, and clambered down the tree to the ground.

"I recognize Western Black Rhino," said African Ground Pangolin, "But who is his Woolly Friend?"

"I am named Woolly Rhino, and I am pleased to meet you, little fellow."

"How apt," observed African Ground Pangolin. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Here we are trimming the African Plains, having a relaxing evening just passing through. I hope we have not disturbed you," said Woolly Rhino.

"Not at all, I am very happy to have the company." said African Ground Pangolin. "If I don't feel up to visiting, I will simply curl into a ball and hide. You will never see me when I am camouflaged."

"How fare you of late, good friend?" asked Sister Quagga.

"Personally, I am very well," said African Ground Pangolin. "I am overall concerned about still being a critically endangered species; I do not want to become extinct such as you are, ( no offense ), so I am trying my best and hanging in there. That's why I as hanging from that tree just now."

"I see," said Western Black Rhino.

"Have you seen our friend Spinosaurus, who saved me and our friend Ms. Giraffe from the poachers ?"

"We are very careful around Spinosaurus," said Sister Quagga. "I know he helped you out, and he served with me in the little known Battle of Humboldt Museum, but he is the largest land predator in prehistory, so we are very careful because we never know when his natural instincts may take over, and we may become his lunch. A prospect I don't fancy, even if I am already extinct."

"Understandable," said African Ground Pangolin.

After this point, African Ground Pangolin asked Woolly Rhino if he might climb up and rest upon his back while he grazed with his friends.

"Of course you may," said Woolly Rhino.

Thus, until late in the day, the three friends grazed on the African Plains. Woolly Rhino and Western Black Rhino took their leave of Sister Quagga and returned to the Woolly Mammoth Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival; African Ground Pangolin jumped from Woolly Rhino's back onto the back of Sister Quagga where he continued to relax, in time she returned him to the tree where he was found, and he slept in his nearby burrow after a nice meal of ants.

Western Black Rhino and Woolly Rhino again enjoyed the company of Kentrosaurus, who, expecting their return had gathered a meal for them all to enjoy, and they remained in such repast through the night, enjoying each others' company.