As I cradled this symbol of our eternal bond, I choked back a tear
(imperceptibly), turned to him and said ecstatically, “This is the
greatest gift of all time. Kabooya, kabooya, I say again, but with more
gusto, KABOOYA!”
My mind was racing, like a carrot racing-car, and yet there was a
pregnant pause. I could see on Ollie’s face there was something he
was holding back. He was literally holding something behind his back.
An orange envelope, which he gave to me, saying, “Josh. The
book was only the first half of your birthday present. Open this so the
prophecy can be fulfilled.”
I opened it and read it aloud:Dear Josh,
On behalf of the Ohakune Carrot Adventure Park Trust, I would like
to congratulate you on the publication of your autobiography. I would
also like to express our gratitude to you for committing to funding a
new statue in Ohakune Carrot Adventure Park from the proceeds of
the book. Naturally the statue will be in your honour, and once funds
have been raised we can work together on a fun design. I have been
in contact with Ollie, and he is confident that your fans, the
‘Jollybeans’, will buy enough copies to make this dream a reality! I
hope to welcome you back to the park in due course for a grand
unveiling.
Best wishes and happy birthday!
Dave Scott
Founder and Custodian
Ohakune Carrot Adventure Park (Carrotland)Ollie told me the book was launching a few days later and our
fundraising for the carrotland statue would commence in earnest.