Short story based on a fossilized nest of juvenile Psittacosaurus

“Take care of your brothers and sisters,” Said, mamma psittacosaurus

“I will be back in just a bit”.

“Yes mamma,” said big brother psittacosaurus.

And so mamma psittacosaurus went off to look for food for her babies,

and big brother was left with all his siblings.

They played tag together, and they played fetch all morning.

When the sun was too bright, Big brother led everyone to a lake!

All the babies were hot and thirsty, and the water was fresh and cool.

Mamma psittacosaurus still wasn’t back, but big brother didn’t want his siblings to worry.

So they played some more, the sisters went climbing trees.

And the brothers went to chase bees!

But when the sun began to fall, big brother looked to the horizon.

Mamma psittacosaurus still wasn’t back, but big brother didn’t want his siblings to worry.

So he led them to the sleeping cave they had.

The babies were very tired from playing all day, but it was a short walk.

They snuggled up next to each other and drifted off to sleep.

“BOOM!”, “BANG!” The sky shook and the floor trembled.

“What was that?” the scared babies asked. Big brother stuck his head out to look.

The mountain exploded! He thought to himself.

Mamma psittacosaurus still wasn’t back, but big brother didn’t want his siblings to worry.

“Okay everyone, keep your heads down and follow me.” Said, big brother.

“Where are we going?” Asked one of his sisters.

“Mamma said we would go to another cave for the night!”

And so all the babies followed big brother.

They knew he would keep them safe.

No matter what.

Up a mountain they went, climbing rocks and crossing bushes.

Until a big cloud of smoke fell from the sky and a big landslide rose from the ground.

Big brother turned around and covered as many babies as he could.

And so they snuggled up next to each other and drifted off to sleep, one last time.