The Fruit Salad Olympics – Day Sixteen

The Fruit Salad Olympics – Day Sixteen – The Final Slice

As the sun dipped behind the smoothie hills, the Grand Fruit Bowl Stadium shimmered under golden light. Every seat was filled. Every fruit, seed, pip, and nut was present — not as competitors, but as family.

This was the Closing Ceremony.

The custard fountains flowed gently. Banners fluttered. And the crowd fell silent as Elder Mango stepped forward once more, torch in hand.

“We came for medals,” he said.
“But we leave with memories. With friendships. With something sweeter than victory — connection.”

The Highlights Montage played on the giant screen made of dehydrated banana strips:

* Banana B.A. Peel belly-flopping into the custard crater

* Papaya Paula lifting Lime Lily in the storm

* Granny Smith landing a perfect pip

* Figaro singing to a silent stadium

* The Rogue Raspberry, baton in hand, crossing the line with the crowd behind him

As the sun fully set, fireworks in the shape of melons, grapes, and stars lit the sky.

Musical Guests:

* Figaro the Fig performed “Return of the Seed” accompanied by Dragonfruit on panpipes

* Olive led Team Medley in a unity chant: “We are All Fruit, We Rise in Juice”

* Pineapple Pete and Mango Max closed with a tropical salsa number that ended in a group conga around the stadium

The Torch was lowered.

And Elder Mango whispered into the wind:

“The salad may be tossed… but the memories stay whole.”

Final Words from the Scoreboard:
“Thank You For Believing in the Bowl.”

Elsewhere:

* Rogue Raspberry now trains with young berries near the juice stands.

* Granny Smith begins work on her memoir: “Core Truths: A Life in Peel”

* The Coconut Courier’s final headline:
“It Was Never About the Medals. It Was Always About the Fruit.”

Until next time, stay juicy. Stay proud. Stay fruitiful.

Image Description:
A cheerful illustrated poster for the Fruit Salad Olympics. Set against a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds, the image shows four anthropomorphic fruits — a smiling strawberry, a happy pineapple, a cheerful blueberry, and a lively banana — all leaping joyfully with their arms raised. Above them, large cream-colored text clearly reads “FRUIT SALAD OLYMPICS” in bold block letters. Below the title are the five Olympic-style rings in blue, black, red, yellow, and green. The entire scene is flat and cartoonish in style, using clean lines, vivid colours, and a playful tone.