Fred and Marvin were walking through their favorite place in the whole world: a dense tropical jungle in what would eventually be modern day Seattle, millions of years in the future. Instead of skyscrapers and highways they were surrounded by tall trees and dense brush. This suited Fred and Marvin just fine, because they were dinosaurs.

Fred was a fire engine red Tyrannosaurus Rex and Marvin was a bright yellow Stegosaurus with a purple afro. They were best friends and went everywhere together. Today they were in the jungle having lunch and Fred was angry. Fred got angry a lot.

“Marvin!” Fred growled. “I'm angry!”

“I can see that, Fred,” Marvin sighed. “What are you angry about?”

“I was talking to Izzy earlier, and he said that our lives are pointless!” Fred howled, his tiny arms spinning small, useless circles by his sides.

Marvin groaned inwardly. Izzy was an Anklosaurus who lived on the other side of the jungle. Izzy was also an Existentialist who enjoyed getting Fred worked up over philosophical dilemmas that Fred did not have the brain power to understand. Marvin didn't like Izzy very much.

“Fred,” Marvin swallowed the tasty bunch of leaves he was chewing. “Our lives are pointless.”

Fred immediately stopped stomping and hollering, turning to stare at Marvin in horror. “But, but why are we here?!”

“Well Fred, no one can really answer that question except you,” Marvin explained. “We must choose our own destiny. Maybe a better question to ask yourself is: 'are you happy?'”

Fred stood very still in response to the question, shutting his tiny eyes in concentration. Marvin waited patiently until Fred finally opened his eyes and said: “I'm not sure! Why should we be happy if life is pointless?”

Marvin was suddenly struck with a great idea. “Come with me, Fred.”

***

Fred and Marvin emerged from the sweltering jungle into a large, open area. This area would have been quite lovely with its breath-taking view of the mountains and cool, crisp breeze, had it not been for the giant tar pit that dominated most of it. A thick, acrid grease filled the air, and the constant “bloop bloop” of bubbling tar was very distracting.

“I don't like this place, Marvin!” Fred was trying to hide behind the Stegosaurus, which wasn't working very well because he was so much larger.

Marvin, however, was not going to be dissuaded from his purpose for coming here. “Fred, you say you are unhappy with the fact that life is pointless?”

“Y-yes!” Fred looked back over his shoulder towards the jungle. He considered running away, but he really didn't want to leave his friend alone by the sinister tar.

“How would you feel if you were in the middle of that tar pit?” Marvin gestured forward with his head, because he had no hands.

Fred gave a girlish little shriek and danced backwards: “I wouldn't like it at all, Marvin!”

Marvin nodded, “So you're happier being over here with me on solid ground?”

“Yes, I am very happy to not be in the tar pit!” Fred nodded with enthusiasm.

Marvin smiled and began walking away from the bubbling tar, Fred eagerly followed. When they reached the outskirts of the forest Marvin turned and spoke: “You see Fred, happiness and contentment can be found anywhere at anytime. The easiest way to be happy is to simply be aware that something worse hasn't happened to you yet.”

Fred nodded slowly, tilting his head sideways in thought. “I think I understand, Marvin. I should be glad right now, no matter what my problems are, because they could always get worse!”

“Exactly Fred. I'm glad you understand.” Marvin looked up in time to see a brilliant shooting star tear across the sky, directly above them.

“Look Fred, a shooting star. Make a wish.”

And Fred did.