“This is so exciting!” Din Din enthused as he gulped down his fruit puree and milk for breakfast. “Today is the day when the digging of the stepwell will begin.”

“Yes, it is a matter of great pride to be able to participate in a task which will benefit us all in saving water, allow the dinosaurs of Fruit Park to work together and help our generations,” agreed Mr D.

“It will be hard work though,” added Mrs Dee. Then, looking at her four sons, she added, “You all must follow proper instructions. Elders who are trained and experienced will supervise you.”

After breakfast Din Din’s family all strode eagerly towards the Orange Orchard. On the way they were joined by other dinosaur families who had volunteered to help in the digging and construction of the well.

Stannis, the energetic triceratops, who was heading the project was in the orchard and had divided the dinosaurs into three groups. After the division had been done according to age groups, he climbed onto a large rock platform. Old Rex, the old leader and mentor of the dinosaurs and Dr Trish, their newly elected leader, were also on the platform.

Old Rex announced in his gravelly, hoarse voice, “It’s heartening to see so many of you gathered here for the welfare and progress of your fellow creatures.” Stannis continued, “The first step is to build a deep trench in which all age groups can participate.”

Pointing to a large sketch nailed onto an expansive trunk of an orange tree, he said, “This is what the stepwell will eventually look like. But first we must focus on step one — which is the digging of the deep trench. We will continue digging until we reach the groundwater — our dependable source of water. The second step is to line the walls with blocks of stone and then create steps which will lead down.”

Old Rex pointed towards a neat pile of tools. “Pick a spade, shovel, stick…anything you are comfortable with and begin digging in the area which has been marked with a white line of chalk.”

“A few elder female dinosaurs have volunteered to serve water and orange juice to the workers. We will have a lunch break in three hours,” said Dr Trish. Grandmamma raised her paw and said, “I’d be delighted to join this group.”

The day was spent digging and a friendly camaraderie existed as the dinosaurs helped each other. However, by the time digging was called off for a lunch break, Din Din observed, “We all have been digging since morning but it seems like we have done nothing,” he remarked to Derek in dismay as they gazed at the patch of land before them.

“Don’t worry, young dinosaur,” came a cheery voice from behind them. “Work will proceed faster as time passes.” Din Din swung around in surprise and was stunned to see Stannis addressing him. “I saw you work. You seem very dedicated and appear to know your way with a spade even though you are young,” remarked Stannis.

“T…thank you,” stammered Din Din, blushing at the praise. “Actually, I am a gardener, so I have had a bit of experience digging,” he uttered self-consciously.

“How about supervising the younger dinosaur group in their digging?” offered Stannis.

“M…me?” said Din Din, shell-shocked. “I mean, I would love to. Tell me what I would have to do.”

“I can’t be in all places to overlook the digging so I want to entrust each group to a supervisor who can report back to me,” explained Stannis. “But you will have to attend the daily meetings at the end of the day. Will you be able to devote so much time?”

“I’ll manage,” vowed Din Din. When Din Din’s family returned home for lunch, Din Din shared the news, his voice trembling with thrill.

“Oh my!” remarked Mrs Dee in pride. “This is a privilege. Only three supervisors have been chosen…you must be the youngest, Din Din!”

Din Din nodded, immensely pleased. “The younger dinosaurs are all school-goers so their shift to dig is in the evenings. On the weekends, however, I will have to go for both the morning and evening shifts,” clarified Din Din.

“I’m too tired to return for the evening shift,” moaned Don, the youngest brother. Dave also nodded in agreement, “My legs ache.”

“It’s okay boys,” remarked Grandmamma. “Contribute as much as you can. You’ve done your bit for today! Let me fix you some milk with turmeric; it’ll make you feel better. Din Din, you also have some and go back to the Orchard. You’ll need all your strength!”

Every day Din Din attended school and then rushed home to gobble up lunch and freshen up. In the past he would visit his garden in the evenings and then meet his best friends Delma, the dolphin, and Dazel, the duck, at the lakeside.

However, now he had instructed his garden caretaker, Kit the cat and her kittens, to oversee the tending of the garden. His friends also were very supportive and understood that Din Din had the burden of a great responsibility and could not spend time with them.

“I think it’s an incredible initiative,” appreciated Delma. “You are very lucky to have been shortlisted for this task.”

Now, after lunch, Din Din made sure he sprinted towards the Orange Orchard. Stannis was living in Old Rex’s cave in the orchard and thus was ever-present. His excitement and passion for the stepwell project was contagious and he was always in control without being bossy.

Din Din was highly impressed by Stannis’s personality and found himself spending time with him long after the others returned home at sundown.

The trench had been dug 15 feet into the ground already and they were anticipating that they would hit ground water any day now.

Late one evening, Old Rex and Stannis were deep in discussion in their cave. The sun had set and all the volunteers had trickled away. “Is everything okay, Sir?” asked Din Din as he peeped in to bid them farewell.

“We have received a threat,” revealed Stannin solemnly. For the first time, the triceratops looked dejected. “It’s a letter telling us that they will sabotage the building of the stepwell.”

“It’s alright!” comforted Old Rex patting Stannis on his back. “All noble tasks will have opposition. It’s probably the jackals with their empty threats.”

“Or perhaps it’s Tazzo’s supporters?” blurted out Din Din. Stannis nodded, his brow furrowing. “We must keep watch at night.”

“There is no need,” Old Rex said, waving off his concern. “I am a light sleeper…if I hear something I’ll awaken you.”

“I will volunteer to live here until the stepwell is complete,” offered Din Din impulsively. “Even if someone comes to sabotage the well, Stannis cannot ward them off alone. I will help him.”

“Thanks Din Din,” said Stannis smiling. “You must take permission from your parents,” advised Old Rex.

“I will,” replied Din Din.

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