Story 10. Dinosaur Dung
My grandfather came to visit us from Japan.
He was only staying with us for one month.
So, I planned many things to show him around.
Where did I start?
The Museum of Nature.
Why?
It's right in our neighborhood.
On the first Saturday morning, after his arrival, we went to the museum.
It's free admission on weekends.
Many families with young kids were there visiting.
Right after we entered the building, a giant life-sized dinosaur model came into our sight.
We went directly to the dinosaur gallery.
A fossil display section attracted many visitors.
A scientist was talking to kids, holding a big piece of fossil in her hand.
In front of her, there were many fossils displayed on the desk.
The scientist was asking the young kids questions as they looked curiously at the fossils.
Can you guess what this fossil is?
She asked.
That's a dinosaur tooth, answered one kid confidently.
Because he saw some teeth in the stone.
The scientist nodded.
That's right.
She grabbed another pebble-sized fossil from a small box, in which there were many small, round, stone-like fossils.
Can you tell me which part of the dinosaur this is from?
She asked another kid.
The kids looked and looked, but they had no clue about what it could be.
A finger?
No.
Toes?
No.
A tail?
No.
No.
Finally, the children begged.
Could you please tell us what it is?
The scientist smiled.
It's dino dung.
A fossilized dinosaur dropping.
At first, the kids were surprised.
Then, they all laughed.
My grandfather took the fossil.
And looked at it carefully.
He passed it to me.
How unbelievable!
We not only saw the fossils of dinosaur toes and teeth, but also of dinosaur dung.
We were both amazed that we could touch fossils from giant creatures that lived on the Earth 65 million years ago.
