"Another year has passed, and I am now celebrating my 140 million and 10th birthday," said Stegosaurus. "Where has all the time gone? It seems like only yesterday that my mother found me while she was eating a cabbage patch, and I just came out of my shell."

"I had a very nice time last Wednesday June 1st. I was given a cake, and a special birthday button, and then I went to out to eat at a fine tavern called The Four Seasons Courtyard. I enjoyed it so much I had to apologize to the management. I think they'll be closed now until everything grows back in the spring next year. It was so delicious I just couldn't help myself!"

"How can I manage to be so serene after these many millions of years you ask? The answer is simple, friends. Simple. I watch the sky for meteors with vigilance, but other than that I let nothing stress me. I stomp forthrightly everywhere I go, because fossil fuel is murder so I get lots and lots of exercise. I am a vegetarian, and we vegetarians are very mild mannered and easy going. The thing I use my cool spiky tail for is mostly plowing in my garden; I know how to defend myself if I have to, but I don't instigate many fights, and avoid any that do come up if I can. I am a peaceful creature that hopes to live by example. I wish everyone reading this the best, and hope you will join me on my many adventures this summer!"



My birthday cake.

"I have been having cakes on my birthday since cakes were invented," observed Stegosaurus.

My birthday button.

"When you turn 140 million and 10 I hope someone gives you a shiny button as nice as this one," said Stegosaurus.

Enjoying the cuisine at The Four Seasons Courtyard.

"This was a fine tavern. I hope they don't mind my voracious appetite; I'd like to return there again," said Stegosaurus.

"Kentrosaurus and I enjoyed our visit to Oxford and the graduation of Lexovissaurus' wife Loricatosaurus. She has worked hard and deserves all of the emoluments that come her way," said Stegosaurus. "After returning Kentrosaurus to his native land, Nigeria, I floated forthrightly on my raft to the land of New Zealand, in order to commence my birdwatching vacation with the Moa Birds. They are really nice fellows to put up with my watching them all the time. New Zealand is also a very beautiful country. Having arrived there I stomped with haste to the Uplands, and before I came upon a single Moa, there I saw my good friend Western Black Rhino."

"What an unexpected surprise!" Stegosaurus exclaimed. "What brings you to New Zealand?"

"Friend Stegosaurus! I did not expect to see you just now, but I am overjoyed to find you here. The answer is simple. I am here on your recommendation. I had heard you tell of how wonderfully beautiful New Zealand is, and how amiable the Moa Birds, and I decided I had to see for myself just what you love about this land."

"I am happy to see you out and about," said Stegosaurus. "I know adjusting to being extinct has been hard for you."

"Yes, it was," said Western Black Rhino. It is. It has only been three years, after all. But I took the advice many gave me at my funeral and finally got out of Africa to see the rest of the world."

"I just came from Nigeria because I was returning Kentrosaurus to his native land. He and I visited cousin Wuerhosaurus in China and Tibet, and we went from there to England, where we were present when Lexovissaurus' wife Loricatosaurus graduated with her degree in Paleontology."

"Please send her my regards," said Western Black Rhino.

"Surely I will," promised Stegosaurus. "If I had known you were coming here, we could have floated forthrightly on the raft together."

"That would have been pleasant," rejoined Western Black Rhino. "I have been on vacation here for several weeks; you were still in China at the time I arrived. " Then, observing an Upland Moa climbing up over the hill, Western Black Rhino exclaimed, "Look, there arrives a Moa Bird now!"

"Hail, Moa! Well met, friend!" said Stegosaurus.

"AH!" exclaimed Moa. "You startled me! You both ....!!"

"Apologies at once," said Stegosaurus.

"And from me as well," said Western Black Rhino.

"Do you mind if we watch you today?" asked Stegosaurus.

"Not at all, just please be quiet. My friends and I like to graze in peace."

"Are you by yourself?" asked Western Black Rhino.

"At the present; but there are a few more of us coming anon ... be patient and quiet and we will let you watch us."

"So, Moa, how have things been since you returned from working with my Disaster Relief Agency?" asked Stegosaurus.
"Very fine, friend Stegosaurus," said Moa. "Thank you for asking. Life runs pretty slow and pleasant here in New Zealand. We're going to clear this hill up here til the evening, and then spend some time grazing in the canopy forest below. It is a pretty nice life. "

"I'm pretty pleased with my own, as I reflect on turning 140 million and 10 very soon," agreed Stegosaurus. "You remember my new friend Western Black Rhino, don't you?"
"Yes," said Moa, "Pleased to see you again, Western Black Rhino, I hope you have been doing well."
"Thank you," said Western Black Rhino, "Your land of New Zealand is very beautiful."

"Then, we were silent for a very long time," said Stegosaurus. "The other Moas arrived, and it was very relaxing for all of us. We were so taken with the scene that we all took to grazing. I am sure the scene was quite pastoral and bucolic. "

"Western Black Rhino and I spent a good three weeks in the lovely country of New Zealand," said Stegosaurus. "It was so nice to see him get out and about ... it was the first time I had seen him happy since his extinction. Adjustment to change is such a difficult thing. We also spent some time watching the Haast's Eagles, since we didn't want them to become envious or feel any less important. They are really quite beautiful, but I am very uncomfortable with the idea that they eat my friends from time to time."

"In early June we will return each to our own lands; after an extended trip to several places in the last few months it will be nice to return home to my native land of Colorado. I left my business ventures in the capable claws of my accountant Corythosaurus, but being a hands on entrepreneur, it is always good to be at the helm of your own ventures whenever possible."

Bonjour, Je m’appelle Lexovissaurus!

"Aujourd’hui, le 10 Mai, sera un jour que l’on ce rappellera, un jour d’importance monumental. Pourquoi ? Je suis en visite en Angleterre. Vous vous demandez pourquoi je veux quitter la France, mon pays natal, la plus cultivée de tous les pays? L’Angleterre et la France non pas toujours eu de bonnes relations et surtout lorsque vous êtes un dinosaure avec une mémoire de million d’années; vous n’obligiez jamais rien. Je suis ici parce que mon épouse est à Oxford, et tout son travail acharné a été récompensé et elle a gradué d’Oxford, avec un degré en Paléontologie. Mes cousins Kentrosaurus et Stégosaures sont venus célébrer avec nous; ils vont arriver en Angleterre après avoir retourné d’une visite en Chine. Wuerhosaurus va venir aussi, mais il voyage par sa méthode traditionnelle de pas lents, et peut-être il va être en retard. Nous allons lui pardonner; c’est après tout, à la mode d’être en retard."

"Que Dieu soit loué, nous sommes arrivés en temps, " exprima Kentrosaurus. "Stégosaures et moi, nous nous sommes bien amusés en Chine et à Tibet avec notre cousin Wuerhosaurus, mais nous avions hâte d’aller sur notre radeau et flotter directement en Angleterre pour voir ton épouse accepter son mérite d’émoluments."

"Elle a vraiment beaucoup travaillé," exprima Stégosaures. " C’est certainement bien désiré, et passionnant pour nous tous. Personne n’ai plus intelligente ou plus qualifié que Loricatosaurus."

"Je suis très fier." exprima Lexovissaurus. La plupart des dinosaures sont comme moi; satisfait de manger des plantes, ou l’un et l’autre, et ne pense jamais ce que le lendemain apportera, d’où nous venons ou où nous allons être dans le future. Nous laissons la découverte de ceci aux mammifères. Nous ne nous donnons pas notre nom nous même ! Mais ma jolie épouse, Loricatosaurus est excessivement curieuse et elle est une personne pleine d’initiative. Elle m’a dit plusieurs fois, depuis la première fois quelle a piétiné vers Oxford, " Pourquoi attendre pour un mammifère de faire ce que l’on peut faire nous même?"'

"Est-ce que c’est vrai," demanda Kentrosaurus, quelle a trouvé et lu le livre insaisissable du Thesaurus? C’est une sagesse légendaire."

" Elle est très timide à propos de ceci, et ne le dira pas," a exprimé Lexovissaurus. Mais j’ai mes soupçons que ceci est la vérité."

"Que Dieu soit loué, loué comme une source de toutes nos bénédictions," répondit Kentrosaurus.

"Elle est très humble," exprima Stégosaures. Aussi intelligente que mon père O.C. Marsh, " Je pense quelle est la plus intelligente dinosaure de tous les temps."

"Vous êtes très gentil," exprima Lexovissaurus. "Merci. C’est une bonne observation et sur le point. Vous pouvez avoir raison."

"J’imagine que vous avez des fabuleux plans de voyage dans votre future," exprima Kentrosaurus.

"Oui," exprima Lexovissaurus. "Certainement. Loricatosaurus a hâte de s’y mettre. Mais premièrement nous allons retournés en France et passer du temps chez-nous; l’importance de l’étude et l’éducation a mis des restreints sur notre temps ensemble chez-nous dans notre caverne."

"Quels sont les endroits que vous voulez allez ?" demanda Stégosaures.

"Le pays où vous venez d’aller, la Chine, est haut sur notre liste, et aussi le pays natal de Kentrosaurus, Nigeria." exprima Lexovissaurus. "Mais je pense que notre premier arrêt, après toutes les célébrations soit terminées, et là le travail commencera, en Portugal. Vous vous rappelez quelque uns de nos vertébrés, notre cousin Stégosaures a été découvert en 2009."

"Oui, des vertébrés et des sexy plaques. C’est pourquoi j’ai ouvert un École de Dance là."

"Nous allons commencer des recherches dans toutes les places, dans notre propre pays premièrement; parce que c’est où nous avons été trouvé. C’est évident qu’il faut commencer avec ceci premièrement. La réponse à ses questions peut-être dans notre jardin."

" Ceci est une bonne raison," exprima Stégosaures. "C’est un moment excitant d’être en vie, et Kentrosaurus et moi donnons nos félicitations à ton épouse pour ses accomplissements."

"Maintenant allons piétinés à Oxford. L’heure de la graduation approche, et je suis plein de joie et de fierté ; c’est difficile de le contrôler." exprima Lexovissaurus. Nous avons attendu longtemps pour ce grand jour."

" One afternoon after Wuerhosaurus, Kentrosaurus and I had taught Chinese Square Dancing all day we found a group of mammals with a Chinese instrument called the Bolang-Gu, and taught them how to play 'Life Goes To A Party' on it," said Stegosaurus. "Then, we danced the lindy hop all evening. A great time was had by all."

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Stegosaurus decided that he was going to spend some time in China visiting his cousin Wuerhosaurus. When Kentrosaurus found out about the trip, he asked to come as well, since he had never been to China. Stegosaurus agreed to pick him up along the way, so he got on his raft and floated forthrightly to Johannesburg, South Africa to meet Kentrosaurus. When Stegosaurus arrived, Kentrosaurus said,
"Hail, good cousin! I am glad you are here and look forward to spending time with you and Wuerhosaurus in the Country of China! May God bless and protect us on our journey! Have you heard if Lexovissaurus and his lovely wife Loricatosaurus are coming?"

"I asked, " said Stegosaurus, "... and the answer was 'No.' This spring is Loricatosaurus' last semester at Oxford, and since she is studying hard she does not have time for travel. Lexovissaurus is reluctant to leave for China ... he said he'd rather visit England since his wife is there and he'd like to see her graduate. He said he would be likely to make it to China some year when his wife is there digging around looking for herself somewhere."
"I am sorry to hear that they will not be with us, I was looking forward to seeing them," said Kentrosaurus. "Let's get started on our journey. I have checked with Woolly Mammoth, and he knows of and has approved my time off at the Church."
"Very well, " said Stegosaurus. "We do indeed have a long way to go." And thus, the journey began. But they hadn't floated very far at all, when on the Niger River Delta specifically the Escravos River they saw their sauropod friend Nigersaurus.
"Hail, Nigersaurus!" exclaimed Stegosaurus. "I hope you are doing well!"
"I am, friend Stegosaurus, Kentrosaurus. I see you are floating on your raft; where do you travel? Stegosaurids are generally not seafaring types .... it must be important for you to get on a raft."
"We are headed to China to visit cousin Wuerhosaurus!!" said Kentrosaurus. "God be praised for protecting us on our long journey to the Orient!"
"Would you like to come with us, Nigersaurus?" asked Stegosaurus. "You are certainly more than welcome to come along."
"Thank you for the offer, but no. The sun is out and I'm really of a mind to stay in this Lazy River in the noonday sun, the Lazy, lazy River where I can linger in the shade of a kind old tree, and then later when I'm hungry eat the top off of it."*
"Very well! Best of the day to you, Nigersaurus! Enjoy your shade, your trees, and your body of water!" said Stegosaurus.
"I will see you when I return," said Kentrosaurus. "God be with you."

Stegosaurus and Kentrosaurus floated forthrightly on the water for a very long time afterward; after many days travel they arrived at Macau, China, the Western side of the Pearl River Delta.
"Here is China," observed Stegosaurus.
"The Lord Jesus Christ be praised; we have safely arrived!" Exclaimed Kentrosaurus with joy. Then, with a pause, "It looks much like any other populated city, but that the boats are slower."
"There's a lot more to it than that," assured Stegosaurus.
"Let us go at once to find Wuerhosaurus," said Kentrosaurus. "I am sure he will be willing to act as our tour guide."
"He is supposed to meet us here in Macau," said Stegosaurus.
"I am sure he will arrive anon," said Kentrosaurus. "In the meantime, look at these beautiful flowers I've just noticed on the side of the road. I'm famished after such a long journey; let us dine."
"That is the Nelumbo nucifera; you are right it has been along journey and we are both very hungry and tired as well, but we cannot eat this flower because..." Stegosaurus was then interrupted.
"That's right! You must not eat that flower!" some one exclaimed. The two hungry Stegosaurids looked up to see their cousin Wuerhosaurus.
"The Nelumbo nucifera is the official flower of the city of Macau. It is also the official State flower of the countries of India and Vietnam. It would be incredibly disrespectful to eat it," said Wuerhosaurus.
"I am sorry to greet you with such a stern warning, but it was important, I assure you. Welcome, cousins! It is so nice to see you both. I am pleased to see you have arrived safely. Come with me. I will give you something that you can eat with out offending the majority of the populace. You must be very hungry indeed after such a long journey."
"Cousin Wuerhosaurus! I am so glad to see you!" said Kentrosaurus.
"No offense taken." assured Stegosaurus. "You are after all native to this land, and know the local customs. Also, you are our guide and we will defer to you on matters of proper protocol."
"Come with me, " said Wuerhosaurus. "Visit my cave, and I will make you both a nice dinner. Yes, Kentrosaurus, you may say grace beforehand."
"Thank you, cousin," said Kentrosaurus.

So it was that the three Stegosaurids stomped to a nearby cave, where a hearty meal was prepared by Wuerhosaurus. "Enjoy," encouraged Wuerhosaurus. "This is not my home cave," said Wuerhosaurus. "Later we shall all travel by slow boat for my home in Tibet. I left my native land of Xinjiang years ago because the climate and temperament of the natives in Tibet agreed with me. No one bothers me coming or going into or out of Tibet; the problems that the mammals have created for themselves, the politics of the region do not affect me; I may come and go as I please."
"How very pleasant," observed Stegosaurus.
"Wuerhosaurus prepared a hearty vegetarian meal for his cousins which consisted of the popular vegetarian dish "Buddah's Delight"; a side dish of almond cake and ginger milk. The Buddah's Delight dish consisted of these main ingredients: Bamboo Shoots, Black Mushrooms, Water Chestnuts, Fried Tofu, Bok Choi, Snow Peas, Carrots, Wood ear, Wheat gluten, Peanuts, Napa Cabbage, Bracken fern tips, and Cauliflower. The Ginkgo nuts were not used, out of respect for Stegosaurus' reverence for that tree, but replaced with Chinese celery. When the food was presented, with permission Kentrosaurus began his prayer thus:

"Dear Lord Jesus, we thank you for this food which we are about to receive, which is but one of the blessings you have given us this fine day. Stegosaurus and I are grateful for the friendship and camaraderie of our cousin Wuerhosaurus who is a gracious host. We pray you bless this cave and its inhabitant, all of his land, and all of his life, and we are grateful for this day as any day on this wonderful world you have made and given us, upon which we have lived for millions of years. Amen, Amen, Amen."
"Thank you, Kentrosaurus," said Wuerhosaurus. "Now I will share with you the prayer that we Buddists pray before dinner."
With that, Wuerhosuarus chanted "Om, Ah, Hum" three times, took a deep breath, and then he said:

"Guru is Buddha, Guru is Dharma,
Guru is Sangha also.
Guru is the originator of all (goodness and happiness).
To all Gurus, I make this offering.

You, whose body was formed by a million perfect virtues,
Whose speech fulfils the hopes of all beings,
Whose mind perceives all that is to be known,
To the prince of the Shakyas I make this offering.

The supreme teacher, the precious Buddha,
The supreme practice, the holy precious Dharma,
The supreme guide, the precious Sangha,
To all of the objects of refuge, I make this offering.

May we and those around us, in all future lives,
Never be separated from the Three Jewels,
Continuously make offerings to the Three Jewels,
And receive the inspiration of the Three Jewels.

Om, Ah, Hum."

After which, the three Stegosaurids ate happily; and then after dinner Wuerhosaurus performed a short ceremony. Having gathered some water in a bowl, he said: "Cousins, if you'd like, please visualize with me, the deity Yeshe Karda above, flowing nectar from his body into this bowl of water." and then he recited the heart mantra of Yeshe Karda, "OM JNANA AVALOKITE SAMANTA PARANA RAMI BAWA SAMAYA MAHA MANI DURU DURU HRIH DAYA JALANI SOHA!" Then, Wuerhosaurus discarded the water in the bowl as an offering, gathered more water, and repeated the mantra seven times. Then, he recited the following prayer:

“This ocean of water appears as nectar to all the pretas that the omniscient mind sees. All the pretas see it as an ocean of milk, they drink it and are fully satisfied. It liberates them from all sufferings, including the specific sufferings of the pretas, causes of delusion, karma, and defilements. These are all purified and they actualize the whole path to enlightenment.”

"This is divine food," Wuerhosaurus continued; all who drink it, all who live in it are blessed and purified to achieve a higher rebirth. Each preta who receives this word will be blessed, and his or her hunger shall be fully satisfied; their rebirth shall be on a higher plane, their advancement secured."

"Excuse me for asking," said Stegosaurus, but what is a preta?"

"I will gladly explain to you the knowledge you seek," said Wuerhosaurus. "The pretas are the deceased; they are supernatural beings that cannot be seen on this plane except in certain cases where one's mental state is removed from this reality. They are, therefore for the most part invisible to us, but they suffer greatly the perils of metaphysical, or spiritual starvation. They are, without this blessing prevented from achieving knowledge of and advancement to the higher planes of existence."

"So, this is an effort to help them along their spiritual journey?" asked Kentrosaurus.

"Yes, cousin. Yes, it is." said Wuerhosaurus. Then he said, "Come, cousins. Let us enjoy the New Year festival. I have knowledge that a public parade is about to begin, and we can all take part in it. I am so glad you are come here to celebrate with me. February 8th marked the Chinese year of the Monkey, which, by our lunar calendar is the year 4714. Let us go out and mingle among the mammals; we'll fit right in at the Dragon festival I believe."

The three Stegosaurids stomped out of the cave where they had their repast til they arrived again at the city of Mancau. As night fell and the moon appeared in view, they then saw a parade of mammals coming anon down the street who were celebrating the festival of the Dragon, and as Wuerhosaurus predicted they fit right in. Accompanied by a fireworks display, they paraded down the street with some of the Macanese climbing up on their backs. A group of Macanese mammals danced as they carried the traditional Dragon made of paper and silk through the streets, even beside the Stegosaurids. It was very loud, but colourful, and everyone involved enjoyed themselves immensely.

The very next morning all three Stegosaurids got into Wuerhosaurus' slow boat and floated slowly, yet forthrightly to the land of Tibet, in order to visit Wuerhosarurus' adopted homeland. "Welcome to the largest port in all of Tibet," said Wuerhosaurus. "This is known as the land of Zham. From here the country exports goods to Nepal in India. I moved here because the climate is subtropical. I'm sure we all agree this situation is ideal." Stegosaurus and Kentrosaurus nodded.
When the boat reached land, the three Stegosaurids gladly exited the boat and then stomped up a fair bit of rocky hill side until they reached a small, unassuming cave roughly a mile up from the seashore.

"Welcome to my humble abode, cousins!" said Wuerhosaurus. "It isn't much, but I like it. I would be pleased if you'd accept some butter tea, which is a traditional drink of hospitality here in Tibet.

"Of course, we'd be honored," said Kentrosaurus, speaking for his cousin ... which Stegosaurus didn't object to, because it was polite, and besides that he was thirsty after the long, slow journey.
"I've been working on brewing this tea for the last half day," said Wuerhosaurus. "It should be ready about now, since I started this morning. After it was done steeping, I added some salt, strained it, added the butter, and churned it to the proper consistency. Then it was transferred to this copper pot here, and kept warm over coals."

"How long has this been the tradition in your country?" asked Kentrosaurus.

"Between the 10th and 13th centuries, which is a long time for mammals," observed Wuerhosaurus.
"I see some Juniperus, of the family Cupressaceae," observed Stegosaurus. "Do you mind if I eat some of it?"
"You may have some," said Wuerhosaurus. "..... but this wood has been gathered here in order that it be burned to please the God of the house. The God of the house is pho-lha, and he protects this abode." Thus, shortly the room was shortly filled with the pleasant smell of burning wood, and all three decided to enjoy a meal of Juniper with their butter tea as they relaxed and enjoyed the company of each other.


* lyrics to "( up a ) Lazy River" by Sidney Arodin and Hoagy Carmichael, 1930.

Stegosaurus looked at his reflection when he woke up in the morning and realized that he hadn't evolved lately. So he went to the river and consulted his good friend Eusthenopteron for advice.

"Eusthenopteron," said he, "I wish I knew the secret to evolving. It seems like forever since there has been any change. I sure would like to start growing feathers like some of the smaller theropods have, but though I have been patient, I haven't grown a single feather. Still nothing but scales, day in and day out. What does it take? I am almost 140 million and 10! When is it going to start happening for me? What did you do to start evolving?"

"There is no quick answer, friend Stegosaurus," said Eusthenopteron. "It takes time, and evolution runs on its own schedule. First I had to evolve legs. Then, I had to evolve lungs. Then, I had to crawl out of the water and stomp uphill! Both ways! Both ways, mind you! It wasn't easy!"

"I've been eating Austrian pines lately and it occurred to me the other day how savings is tied to the natural interest rate, but ... that won't help me grow feathers," complained the frustrated Plate Lizard. "I would give anything to have feathers, or to evolve in some way like other dinosaurs have lately."
"There are some who would consider that knowledge a form of evolution," observed Eusthenopteron sympathetically. "My suggestion to you is that you consult Science Daily for the latest on an evolution schedule. Good luck!"

Stegosaurus went home and checked Science Daily on the internet, but found no clear answers.

"I might consult the legendary Thesaurus," said Stegosaurus to himself, "But he is just as elusive as the timetable of evolving."

Then, suddenly it occurred to the pensive Plate Lizard: "I know who I can consult for advice! I will go to the Dinosaur Retirement Home and consult Nyasasaurus and Dimetrodon! They are sure to know the answers to my questions as they have been around a lot longer than I have."

So Stegosaurus stomped forthrightly to visit his elderly friends. When they came into sight he declared, "Hail, friends Nyasassaurus and Dimetrodon! How fare ye this fine, day?"

"Excellent well, Stegosaurus! The sun is shining, my retirement cave is cozy, I am well fed, and there isn't a meteor in the sky!" rejoined Dimetrodon.


"What brings you to visit us today? We are so pleased to see that you have paid us a visit. Please stay for a while," encouraged Nyasassaurus.

"I am come for advice," said Stegosaurus. "I woke up this morning frustrated because I have not evolved lately and would really like some advice from those older than me on how begin this process. I have bird hips, but no feathers. Some theropods have feathers, but not me; not yet. I have been so patient, and yet day in and day out no change.... is there anything you can advise me to do? I have already stomped to the river and spoken to Eusthenopteron; he suggested I check the internet, but I have found no clear answers there."

"My heart goes out to you, friend Stegosaurus," said Dimetrodon ... "And I so wish to help you as you have been such a benefactor to me, getting me a nice cave at the Dinosaur retirement home, and a pension with the Dinosaur and Mythical Creature screen actor's guild Local 14065. The only thing I can offer you in a way of advice, even with all my elder years, is simply patience."

"Keep your spirits up, Stegosaurus. A lot of your friends feel your pain; you are not alone but evolution has a mind of its own and works in slow and mysterious ways. No one, no matter how old they are can say with any certainty when evolving starts. Evolving can't be marked in a calendar; its progress may be incremental and not as fast and obvious as we'd all like, but I can guarantee you it is sure. We can all look forward to a glorious day when the great majority of us turn into birds and fly away."

"Perhaps," interjected Nyasasaurus, in an effort to be helpful, "You can pause to meditate under your old friend, the Ginkgo biloba, of the family Ginkgoaceae; the ancient tree may give you some insight."

"You are right; I have a lot of respect for the Ginkgo biloba, as it is older than I am. My cousin Wuerhosaurus has taught me something of this meditation. Perhaps I should try it. Peace of mind is a valuable thing, and it can be cultivated. Perhaps if I clear my mind, the answer will become obvious .... and that will be a glorious day indeed. Thank you both so much for your advice."

"No trouble at all very glad to help," said Nyasasaurus. "Come back and visit us any time!"

"Good luck!" said Dimetrodon.