Fruitlandia Zoo

Draft picture book text
Last update: Oct. 3, 2025

Dear Friend,

I heard that some in Fruitlandia live in houses,
go to school,
and strut around in their fancy underwear.

But the rest of us,
“the wild ones,”
live at the zoo.

It gets boring.
It gets lonely.

Until today,
when the crowds came for the arts festival.

I had never seen artists painting, dancers spinning, or musicians playing. It was amazing.
I noticed you wanting to join the fun.

You had no paper.
No paint.
Still, you made something in the dirt,
from just that stick.

The kids noticed too and tried to help,
passing tools through the fence.

But the adults shouted.
Whistles blew.
And your art was swept away in the dust.

The kids didn’t give up.
They told the festival judges,
who seemed willing to give you a shot.

I thought your moment had come.

But then Dragonfruit flew in.

She twirled.
She juggled.
She dazzled.

And everyone watched her.

Cameras flashed.
Awards rained.
They even gave her the grand prize, the key to the zoo.

While you sat… unnoticed.

Until a child whispered,
“These are for you…”

And with a smile
you were back making.

I thought being passed over would make you sad.

But it didn’t.

Why?

I wanted to ask you.
But I didn’t know how.

So I picked up a pencil.
Held it in my mouth.
Wobbled one line.
Then another.
And another.

I learned to write.

And with every word,
I felt joy.
Maybe that’s how you felt,
when you are making.

So I wrote you this letter.

Because you showed me that
art matters,
even when no one is watching.

For that,
I’ll be forever grateful.

Your friend always,
Pineapple