Maxi stepped into the prehistoric valley. A huge shadow swept over the ferns. A flying dinosaur glided right above Maxi's head. Maxi ducked, then laughed at the windy whoosh in Maxi's hair. “Wait! What kind are you?” called Maxi.
Maxi followed giant three-toed tracks. They led to a long-necked dinosaur stuck between two thick trees. Maxi pushed the branches aside to help. Rough bark pressed under Maxi's hands. Crunch, crunch went the leaves. The dinosaur bent down for a gentle hello, and Maxi grinned.
Under a prickly bush, a spiky dinosaur tried to reach juicy berries. Maxi grabbed a fallen stick and hooked the branch closer. The berries pattered into the grass. The dinosaur snorted so hard that red berries popped onto Maxi's nose like a clown trick. Maxi laughed.
Splish-splash came from the river. Maxi found a duck-billed dinosaur staring at shiny stones in the water. Maxi knelt beside the bank and sorted the stones by shape. Each pebble felt smooth and cold. “Parasaurolophus. Iguanodon. Hadrosaur,” Maxi said, one by one, while dragonflies zipped past.
The sky turned orange as Maxi started home. Then the path stopped cold. Boom! Honk! Chirp! The ferns shook all at once. Maxi froze for one breath. Then Maxi knew. “You!” called Maxi. “Pteranodon! Stegosaurus! Parasaurolophus!” Three friends stepped out together.
Maxi walked home through the glowing valley. Dinosaurs moved on every side. One left a giant print. One left a three-toed print. One left a neat round print. Soft thuds, fern swishes, and silly honks followed the trail. Maxi smiled all the way to the door, carrying new dinosaur names home.