• The twins couldn’t wait to tell Grandpa Mike about their brief trip to Yellowstone. They hadn’t taken any pictures because their parents wanted them to experience the sights with their own eyes and not filtered through the lens of a camera. There would be plenty of time for that when they got older.
• They said “Old Faceful” was really neat and described the paintpots, and how these things called extremophiles lived in really strange conditions. And they told how they met this really interesting scientist, who explained many things to them, lots of which they didn’t exactly understand but knew were important.
• “Old Faceful, eh?” Grandpa Mike asked. “Did you get close enough to get a faceful?”
• “A big wind whooshed a whole bunch of steam into Melody,” Mal blurted out, and then hesitated when he realized he told the secret that was between him and his sister. “But she’s ok.”
• “Oh, what did your parents do? Were they worried?”
• “No, they don’t even know because we went out early and were by ourselves,” Mel reported.
• “It felt warm and snuggly, not at all hot, but it burned my little chicken-y brother. Not bad, though. The red spots went away before it was time for supper.”
• “Well, I’m happy to hear that.” Mike realized that this strange incident might be only the first indication that his grandchildren did indeed have something special about them. He decided to change the subject because he didn’t want to encourage the twins to hide things from their parents, but he also wanted some time to think and observe their behavior. He would discuss these things with Mort and Agnes soon.
• “What is the nice scientist’s name,” Mike asked.
• “Dr. Ethyl. That’s what we called her.”
• “Do your parents know her full name?”
• “She gave a card to mom. Mom put it in her pocket.”
• “That’s good. It means she would be happy to hear from you. I’ll bet she has an email address. You could write to Dr. Ethyl from your family account, thanking her for all the time she spent with you.
• It’s important to thank people for their kindness. And every time you connect with someone, whether you call or email them, or see them in person, you add another thread to the link that was begun when you met them.”
• The twins asked Agnes if it was ok to e-mail Dr. Ethyl. “Of course. Let’s do it together.”
• This was the first of numerous correspondences that the twins had with Dr. Ethyl over many years. They told her of their explorations and over time Dr. Ethyl gradually introduced them to the work she was doing, explaining the practical human value of studying extremophiles and some of the challenges involved in collecting samples for study when business interests and relationships are in place.
• Please click HERE for Chapter 2 - Down on the (Family) Farm.

• LINKS: BOOK 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION TO THE BIOFABLES SERIES

BioFables 1 Teaching Brief

• Chapter 1
  EXPLORING EXTREMOPHILES
  
• Episode 1
  Grandpa’s Gift
  First Stop: Yellowstone National Park
  "Old Faceful" Lives up to Its Name!
  The Twins' Mysterious Secret
• Episode 2
  Extremophile Questions among the Paintpots
  Some Questions Answered
  Colors of Octopus Springs
• INTERADVENTURE - Yellowstone
  
• Chapter 2
  DOWN ON THE (FAMILY) FARM
  
  Episode 1
  A Chance to Watch and Learn
  A Long Test Drive
  Meeting the Farm Family
  That After-Rain Freshness
  Chicken Feed and Fresh Eggs
  
• Episode 2
  At the Meat Locker
  IN the Meat Locker
  A Butcher’s Surprise
  Mom’s Surprise
• Episode 3
  Ninja Mom
  First, You Catch a Chicken
  AFTER You Catch a Chicken
• Episode 4
  Early to Bed, Early to Rise.......
  .......Milk the Cows, but Close Your Eyes
  Sunday Breakfast on the Farm
  Spilled Milk across the Sky
• INTERADVENTURE - UP from the Family Farm
  A Car of the Future?
  Picnicking among the Airplanes
  Ninja Mom a Reality?
• INTERADVENTURE - Next March and Next Adventure
  
• Chapter 3
  SECRETS OF THE DUNES
  
  Episode 1
  A Weighty Subject
  Camping in the Sand
  Spongy Ground and Bug-eating Plants
  Climbing a Living Dune...or Not
  
• Episode 2
  A Generations-Old Secret Uncovered
  First Impressions
  A Forensics Interpretation
  
  Episode 3
  A Surprise Treat
  Aches and Pains
  Taking it Easy
• INTERADVENTURE: Between Sand and Rock
  
• Chapter 4
  MISSISSIPPI PALISADES
  
• Episode 1
  Firefly Games
  A Symphony of Cicadas
  
• Episode 2
  Starting out on Sentinel Trail
  A Cave, a Dog and some Bats
  A Dog, a Boy and a Woods
  Oops
  The Rest of the Trail
• Episode 3
  The Best Laid Plans
  Maloneys in the Mist

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