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A bit later, they were seated back at their tables. Jeff brought a burgeoning bowlful of fruit salad to Anthony’s table and set it before him. Wags did the same for Dorothy.
“All right!” Anthony cheered. “All-you-can-eat fruit salad!” He smacked his lips.
“Not quite,” Murray corrected him, folding his arms and trying to look stern. But he couldn’t suppress his amusement at his zealous friend. “This contest involves one bowl only. Whoever finishes theirs first, wins.”
“That’s right, Murray!” Captain Feathersword called into the microphone from his announcer’s chair. “So, geeeet ready, competitors! Get set! Aaaaaand…” Anthony and Dorothy were poised for action over their bowls. “Go!” howled the pirate captain melodramatically.
Anthony grabbed his spoon and began shoveling food into his mouth in super-fast Wiggle Time. Dorothy didn’t need silverware. She simply dumped half her bowl into her huge mouth and chomped it down. Satisfied gulping was heard from both contestants. But before Dorothy had the chance to eat the other half of her fruit salad, the Blue Wiggle was holding up his empty bowl in triumph. “Whoa-ho-ho, we have a winner!!!” Captain screamed. Anthony’s band mates slapped him on the back as he beamed.
“We knew you could do it!” Jeff cried.
“Well done, mate!” Greg congratulated him.
Murray nudged him in the ribs with his elbow. Their dinosaur friend was approaching, carrying her bowl of leftover fruit. “Remember to be a gracious winner,” he said to their drummer in a low tone.
Anthony nodded. He stuck out his hand as their dinosaur friend came over. “Good game, Dorothy,” he said to her. “You almost won!”
“Good game, Anthony,” she replied. “My, you eat fast!”
Anthony smiled and nodded modestly. Then he added more seriously, “Thanks for having a rematch with me. I can’t keep up with you eating roses.”
“You’re welcome!” she shrilled. She held out her bowl to him. “Would you care for my leftover fruit salad?” she offered. She patted her green tummy. “I’m full.”
“Thanks!” Anthony exclaimed. He took the bowl and began scarfing it down.
Captain Feathersword sauntered over, trailed by Henry the Octopus and Wags the Dog. “Well, it looks like both of you were winners today!” the pirate observed.
“Hey, that’s right!” Jeff realized.
“How wonderful!” chirped Dorothy.
“Yeah, Dorothy’s fantastic at eating roses,” Greg complimented her warmly. “And Anthony’s great at eating…pretty much everything else,” he finished. Everyone laughed.
“Hey, is anyone up for another eating contest?” Anthony wondered. He pushed on his stomach and exclaimed, “I’m still hungry!”
“Oh, Anthony!” his fellow Wiggles scolded him. But they were unable to keep from laughing when he flashed them one of his winsome smiles.
The End