Acute small intestinal obstruction is a frequent cause of admission to surgical wards. Adhesions, hernia and neoplasms are the usual causes. Phytobezoar causing obstruction is rare and acute small bowel obstruction secondary to a whole fruit is extremely rare. T his is a report of acute small bowel obstruction in a 70 year old male caused by a whole undigested lemon. The diagnosis could only be established at laparotomy. Preoperative diagnosis of the exact etiology in such patients is difficult and needs a high index of suspicion. However, even when diagnosed only at laparotomy, the outcome is often successful.