Hard Question Wins

The contest is finished, says Graceful.

Who won? asks Terence.

The winning team is not yet decided, says Graceful. It depends on who won Best Riddle.

Poisonous Mushroom was ingenious, says Wittgenstein.

But not funny, says Katherine.

Helicopter, says Terence.

Thanks, says Quiet-Tarus. Helicopter was mine.

Sticky fly paper, says Gaius. Whose was that one?

Mine, says Wittgenstein. 

You came up with the answer, says Gaius. But who asked the question?

Me, says the first ninja.

Then it seems I vote for you, says Gaius.

Very gracious, says the ninja.

What about mine? asks Shorty-Tartus.

Yours was too hard, says Terence.

What's hard about being a banana? asks Shorty-Tartus.

The question was hard, not the answer, says Terence.

Who cares? says Shorty-Tartus.

I do, says Graceful. I really liked yours. You could have been anything!

Yes, I could have, says Shorty-Tartus. 

Such as.... a carrot, says Gaius.

Shorty had not even thought of a carrot.

Ot a pumpkin, says Katherine, remembering her plans for Baked Emu.

Yes, yes, says Graceful. This is not helping us reach a decision.

May I suggest something? asks Roo-kai.

Go ahead, says Graceful.

Choose a frog to judge the best riddle, says Roo-kai. Either Emerald or Common.

What a great idea! says Graceful. Step forward, Emerald and Common.

Can we both do it? asks Emerald.

If you agree to agree, says Graceful.

It seems that they do.

Emerald and Common withdraw to confer on the issue.

They return after several seconds.

Who am I is the winner, says Emerald. The banana. 

Me? says Shorty-Tartus. 

He can hardly believe it.

Yay! says Terence. Our team is the winner.

Congratulations, says Graceful.

Good comp, say the ninjas.

They pull off their costumes. Would you guys like these?

Sure we would. Thanks! says the Tarti. Would you like our emu feathers?

Would we! say the ninjas.

The costumes and feathers are exchanged.

That was good, says Letitia. Now we ought to head back to Toowoomba.

Yes, says Gaius. I must write up what happened.

Me too, says Letitia.

Most enlightening, says Gaius. Thank you, Graceful. And thank you, Roo-kai.

That was nice. It's good to have your efforts acknowledged.