Twelve Upon A Time.... Edward Galluzzi

upon a time, a time long ago or just like yesterday, depending on your point of view, Don, Jane and their children, Donja and Amanda, sat at their stone table for breakfast. They lived in a cave that they have since come to know as “home.” It was trying at times for the family to live among prehistoric creatures. Amanda, Donja and their parent’s world indeed was turned topsy-turvy and it all happened one New Year’s Eve.

      Six months ago, Donja, Amanda and their parents were at the museum for children on New Year’s Eve. They were attending a special presentation of “The Land of the Dinosaurs.” Dinosaurs from the two distinct groups that evolved early in their history were exhibited: the saurischians and ornithischians.

      Amanda related the exhibit information to her family about the saurischians. She read that saurischians (lizard-hipped dinosaurs) had pelvic girdles common to lizards with three prongs to each side. Saurischians on display at the museum were the two-legged Tyrannosaurs and the four-legged Brontosaurus.

      Donja read the exhibit information to her family about the ornithischians. She shared that ornithischians (bird-hipped dinosaurs) had bird-like pelvic girdles with four prongs to each side. Ornithischians on display at the museum were the four-legged Stegosaur and two-legged Duck-billed dinosaur.

      Donja and Amanda often studied dinosaurs. As they viewed the mammoth dinosaurs on display, the girls never guessed they would actually live among them.

      Amanda and Donja wore their backpacks on this museum trip. They were filled with survival items like bottles of pop, Twinkies, popcorn, nail clippers and lipstick to mention a few. As they walked among the exhibitions at the museum, their interest was drawn to a cave display of early man. The generation that knows computers, television, VCRs, telephones and all the other technological advancements had some difficulty relating to the stark stone materials and utensils of the time. Amanda and Donja turned to each other and said, “This just won’t do, wouldn’t you say sis?”

      Donja and Amanda followed their parents into the opening of the cave. It was late and they heard the museum clock chime twelve. Amanda, Donja and their parents wished each other “Happy New Year.” All of a sudden, everybody knew that something was not right. They wobbled as they walked through this gel-like stuff and found themselves in an unfamiliar land. Donja and Amanda grew afraid and clutched each other for reassurance. Amanda and her family were no longer in their own time. Their parents looked at each other in some amazement knowing only that they were now living in earth’s past—way past… way, way, way past! They stood midway between a forest ahead of them and a cave-like structure behind them. As they stood frozen in their steps, loud creature noises were heard from a short distance away. It was not long before the source of the clamor displayed itself—unbelievably, a tall-bearing dinosaur.

      Donja and her family ran toward what looked like a cavern opening in the distance. Upon reaching the entrance, Amanda’s parents made a quick search of the entrance and decided whatever was inside was probably safer than what they saw outside. So in they went, like rabbits they scurried, to the safety of the rock formation.

      The dinosaur had not yet approached the cave. They peeked outside and gazed at the mammoth creature. It was at that moment that Amanda shouted, “We’re OK! That’s a Brontosaurus!” Donja and her parents admired Amanda’s dinosaur identification adeptness, but this hardly reassured them. They stared at Amanda in such a way that elicited her to repeat: “It’s a Brontosaurus!” As such knowledge did not improve her family’s understanding of the situation, Amanda continued, “It’s herbivorous. It just eats trees, plants and grasses.”

      Donja and her parents appeared somewhat relieved at Amanda’s disclosure. They sat quietly and peered at the Brontosaurus as it nibbled among the nearby trees. A small lake was beside the trees. Donja broke the silence and said: “I think I call it ‘Bronto’ for short.” Donja was known for her love of animals and the boarding of all types of creatures. Her menagerie of such creatures at home would attest to that. Amanda and her parents also knew well enough not to contest her naming of them. So “Bronto” it would be.

      Bronto stopped chewing on the tree limb as it caught a glimpse of humanoids near the opening of the cave. In dinosaur-like strides, it pounced in the direction of the cave. Amanda and her family retreated into the mouth of the cavern.

      Beyond its size, Bronto did not appear ferocious or frightening. Its facial features were rather inviting and kindhearted in expression. As Bronto approached the cave, Don and Jane withdrew further within the safety of the cave with their daughters. Bronto was now as close to the cave opening as its proportions permitted. It peered in search of the humanoids it had glimpsed just moments before.

      Donja and her family slowly crept forward toward the cavern entrance. They soon could see Bronto, which meant that Bronto could see them. Each eyed each other perhaps more curiously than cautiously. As Amanda and Donja reached the cave opening, Bronto stretched its neck as far as it could. It stared at the girls, blinking its eyes and seemingly smiling. Donja drew closer and reached out toward Bronto. It was not startled and did not move. Donja touched its face softly. “Well, she’s made another friend” thought Donja’s family. Amanda soon joined Donja and both were patting Bronto’s head. Bronto did not seem to mind and smiled as well as a Brontosaurus could smile.

      Darkness was setting on the four humanoids. Don and Jane guessed that they must be on earth more than 65 million years ago. This was their belief since it was about 65 million years ago when dinosaurs disappeared from earth. They also knew that dinosaurs unlike Bronto roamed the earth. These dinosaurs were carnivorous and likely a threat to themselves and their children. Their counterparts also would not spare herbivorous dinosaurs.

      Donja and Amanda’s parents instructed them to gather anything that might burn, but to stay together and near the cavern entrance. They would need some manner of light and heat during the night. As the girls gathered what material they could, their parents prepared the cave for a fire and places to sleep. It would be difficult to rest under such circumstances, but there would be much to do in the morning.

      Amanda, Donja and their parents got what rest they could that night. Bronto stood nearby the cave that served as some comfort to the family, especially to the sisters. As the girls drifted off to sleep, their parents discussed their plans for the morning. They had to find food and water for survival. They also needed to discover how they were transported to this long ago time and how they were to return to their own time over 65 million years in the future. Their discussion gave way to their tiredness. Don and Jane fell asleep and rested like their daughters. The fire that was built was no more than cinders now. It was morning. Donja was the first awaken by morning’s light. Her sister and parents remained asleep. Donja approached the cave entrance. Bronto was not standing in the spot that it occupied last night. Donja looked around but did not see Bronto. Yet, she heard many creature noises in the distance. Donja ran back into the cave and gently awakened her sister and parents.

      The four humanoids on the planet of dinosaurs had survived their first night. Survival was foremost in the minds of Amanda’s parents. They explained to their daughters that it was time to look for food and water. Water may not be a problem as they remembered the small lake nearby the trees where they first spotted Bronto.

      Amanda and her family began their trek toward the small lake. They heard many animal noises in the distance, but did not see any creatures nearby. They were prepared, however, to make a dash back to the cave if necessary. Don and Jane stopped near the site they first entered from their own time. They search briefly for an entrance, a time portal, an opening... they were not sure what they were searching for; yet, they knew that returning to their own time must be linked to their arrival to this area.

      The girls were first to reach the group of trees near the lake. The herbivorous dinosaurs ravished some of the trees. The family reached the lake with no sign of other living