Nestled in the verdant embrace of Tamborine Mountain, a lodge sits, hidden by lush eucalyptus trees and surrounded by vibrant blooms that seem to dance in the gentle breeze. The lodge, an inviting blend of rustic charm and modern comfort, boasts a private deck that stretches out toward the mountains, offering a breathtaking view that looks like something out of a painting. Every morning, as the sun rises, the couple living there – Eleanor and Sam – sit on this deck, cradling steaming mugs of coffee, taking in the golden hues of the sunrise over the horizon.
But what makes this morning ritual even more special is the daily visit from their feathered friend, a strikingly beautiful king parrot they’ve affectionately named Jasper.
Jasper, with his brilliant emerald-green wings and bright red breast, first appeared one misty morning several months ago. He landed on the railing of the deck, tilting his head as if to say hello. Eleanor and Sam were enchanted by his vivid colors and the confident gleam in his eyes. From that day on, Jasper has made the lodge his regular stop, arriving like clockwork as if he had a standing invitation for breakfast.
Each morning, Jasper perches on the railing, watching them with curious eyes. “Good morning, Jasper!” Eleanor calls out, and though Jasper cannot answer, his lively squawk seems like a response. Over time, it became clear that Jasper wasn’t content with just saying hello. He had a mischievous streak, and soon, his visits turned into small adventures.
One particularly crisp morning, as Sam sat reading a book, Jasper swooped in with a playful glint in his eye. He hopped over to Sam’s book and began pecking at the corner, clearly interested in the story. Eleanor, laughing, remarked, “Looks like Jasper wants to be a part of the plot!” From that day, every time Sam brought out a book, Jasper would inspect it as though he were a literary critic, his little head bobbing with approval or disapproval.
Another time, during an impromptu picnic on the deck, Jasper, ever the opportunist, decided that the crackers were clearly meant for him. With a cheeky dive, he snatched one right off the plate. Eleanor gasped in surprise, but her laugh followed soon after. “I guess we’ll have to start packing an extra snack for Jasper,” she said with a wink.
The couple began to wonder if Jasper had some special magic about him, for his presence always seemed to turn an ordinary moment into something extraordinary. One late afternoon, a thick fog rolled over the mountain, obscuring their usual stunning view. As the mist thickened, Sam muttered something about losing the sunset. Just then, a familiar flash of green and red cut through the fog – Jasper, like a tiny phoenix in the clouds. He landed gracefully on the deck and let out a cheerful call, as if to say, “No sunset? No problem! I’m here!”
And so, they sat with Jasper in the quiet stillness, a sense of peace settling over them. It was moments like these that reminded them of the beauty in simplicity – a lesson they were sure Jasper had come to teach them.
In the evenings, when the sky turned a soft purple and the stars began to blink into existence, Eleanor and Sam would sometimes stay out on the deck, hoping for a last visit from their feathered friend. Though Jasper usually preferred mornings, on occasion, he’d return, silhouetted against the setting sun, a tiny king surveying his mountain kingdom.
The days passed, and seasons changed, but Jasper’s visits remained a constant. The bond between the couple and the parrot became a cherished part of their life on the mountain. It was a friendship built on quiet moments, shared snacks, and a mutual appreciation for the beauty of the world around them.
And though Jasper couldn’t speak their language, the couple felt that he communicated in ways that words never could – through the flutter of his wings, the gleam of his bright eyes, and the joy he brought with every visit.
For Eleanor and Sam, life on Tamborine Mountain wasn’t just about the stunning views or the serenity of the lodge. It was about the unexpected friendship they had found with a spirited king parrot named Jasper, who, with his playful heart and vibrant feathers, had become as much a part of their home as the mountain itself.
