There’s an important meeting at the Orange Orchard, announced Mr D at dinner as the family enjoyed a delicious fruit trifle for dessert on Saturday night.

“Oh dear! A meeting can only mean some kind of crisis or emergency,” groaned Din Din.

“Not necessarily, Din Din,” said Grandfather. “Don’t be such a pessimist.”

“I’m just being realistic, Grandpa,” explained Din Din apologetically. “History is witness to the fact that Old Rex calls for a meeting of all the dinosaurs whenever there is a dispute with the jackals or internal political issues.”

“That’s true,” agreed Grandfather. “But still let’s see. This is the first official meeting after Dr Trish has taken over as the leader of the dinosaurs. It should be interesting to see. In tomorrow’s meeting Dr Trish has asked that all elders of the family — males and females — must attend!”

“Oh! That’s interesting,” said Mrs Dee. “I’m so glad that Dr Trish is involving female dinosaurs in politics and the decisions of D’Land.”

Sunday dawned pleasant and windy with the sun making its way behind the clouds. It seemed like the perfect weather for an assembly. The elders of the household, accompanied by Din Din, arrived at the Orange Orchard. Instead of a single rock table at the head of the clearing near Old Rex’s cave home, there was a large platform in the middle of the clearing where Dr Trish sat with Old Rex. The dinosaurs were all asked to be seated around the platform.

“Today we wish to discuss something of great importance,” began Dr Trish in her matter-of-fact and direct manner. “It is time the dinosaurs of D’Land thought about improving the quality of our lives. One very important matter that has been close to my heart as a doctor and one of the inhabitants of Fruit Park is water.”

When she saw that she had everyone’s attention, she continued. “We all have to travel to the lakeside or other water bodies that are far away. The few water bodies nearby aren’t enough for us all. For our drinking as well as bathing and irrigation we are in need of nearer water reservoirs.”

Taking a deep breath she pointed to a young triceratops in the audience. “We have among us a talented builder who has proposed a plan for a water reservoir. I’d like to invite Stannis here to share his plan.”

Stannis jumped onto the platform with an energetic leap. “Hello dinosaurs. I propose that we build a stepwell.”

When he saw blank looks from the audience he unraveled a huge banana leaf with a sketch in charcoal neatly drawn on it. “This,” he announced with flourish, “is a stepwell! It is like a well which digs deep into the ground to reach the ground water but it has steps leading down to it. That makes reaching the water easier and we don’t need a rope to haul water.”

There was excited chatter as he explained how every dinosaur would need to take part in the digging and building. “The best part of a stepwell is that it will store rainwater and that stored water will help us during the months when it doesn’t rain.”

“Where do you propose we dig this structure?” asked one dinosaur from the crowd.

“The Orange Orchard! It is in the centre of Fruit Park and accessible to most of us,” answered Stannis promptly.

Din Din looked around to see how the dinosaurs were reacting. He was very excited! “It’s a brilliant idea,” he whispered to his mother who was seated next to him. She nodded, listening with rapt attention to what Stannis had to say. “We will take a vote by counting of hands,” declared Old Rex. “All in favour of building the stepwell raise your arms.

Dr Trish counted the raised arms patiently. “750 in favour.”

“All who oppose?” asked Old Rex.

A few arms were raised. Din Din saw that they were all those who had favoured Tazzo, the deposed head of the dinosaurs.

“Just 59…,” announced Dr Trish.

“It’s a clear yes,” said Old Rex. “And I’m glad! It’s about time we stop fighting and build a good life for ourselves.”

“Now I need all volunteers who will help in the digging and construction of the stepwell to sign their names on this banana leaf,” directed Dr Trish. “Young, old, males and females…we need all to help out. According to Stannis if we all work together the stepwell can be ready for our use in two months.” Nearly all present at the orchard lined up to sign up as volunteers.

“There will be two shifts. One for the morning and one of the evening,” explained Stannis in his engaging and vivacious voice. “Please mention in which shift you would like to work.”

“All you brothers can volunteer for the evening shift after school,” suggested Mr D to Din Din as they waited in line to sign up.

“Yes father. I will have to give up my time at the garden but I believe it is important as in return the stepwell promises to help irrigate my plants,” answered Din Din. Mr D nodded at his son in approval.

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