by Bill Tiepelman
Morning Symphony of the Tropics
The rainforest woke up slowly, like a cat stretching in a sunbeam. Golden shafts of sunlight pierced through the dense canopy, glinting off dew-drenched leaves and painting the jungle in soft, ethereal light. Somewhere in the distance, a waterfall gurgled contentedly, as if chuckling at its own joke. The air was warm and heavy with the scent of blooming hibiscus and damp moss, and the entire forest seemed to hum with the lazy energy of a new day. On a low-hanging branch that curved like the back of a weary hammock, perched two macaws—Polly and Pico, the self-proclaimed king and queen of their tropical domain. Polly, resplendent in feathers of blazing red, green, and yellow, was the more theatrical of the two. She had a flair for drama and a voice that could carry all the way to the other side of the forest. Pico, on the other hand, was a gentleman of blue and gold, with a penchant for sarcasm and an uncanny ability to sound bored even in the most exciting of moments. “Polly, darling, do you think the rainforest is listening?” Pico drawled, preening a feather with the kind of care one reserves for polishing a rare jewel. “I wouldn’t want to waste my beautiful voice on deaf ears.” Polly gave him a look that could have felled an oak tree. “Pico, the rainforest is always listening. She’s our audience, our stage, our loyal fan club. You just have to learn to feel it.” She flared her wings for emphasis, the sunlight catching each feather like a kaleidoscope of fire. “Now, hush. It’s time for the morning show!” Pico sighed dramatically. “Oh, joy. Another chance for me to perform for the frogs, the snakes, and that suspiciously judgmental toucan. My dreams have come true.” The Morning Warm-Up With an exaggerated flourish, Polly cleared her throat—or at least made a sound that could generously be described as such. “Good morning, my fellow rainforest residents!” she trilled, her voice echoing through the trees. “Welcome to another glorious day in paradise, brought to you by yours truly, Polly, and my reluctant sidekick, Pico.” “Sidekick?” Pico muttered under his breath. “I’m the reason this branch doesn’t break from your ego alone.” Ignoring him, Polly launched into what she proudly referred to as her “Opening Serenade.” It was a medley of squawks, chirps, and whistles that somehow managed to be both startling and oddly melodic. In the background, a family of capuchin monkeys paused their morning banana thievery to clap politely—though one or two might have been throwing fruit instead. Polly didn’t mind. In her world, attention was attention. Pico waited until she had finished her theatrics before chiming in with a low, melodious whistle. His contribution was softer, more subdued, like the sound of a cool breeze whispering through bamboo. The rainforest seemed to lean in, the rustle of leaves and the distant chirp of cicadas forming a quiet harmony with his tune. “Show-off,” Polly whispered, though her tone betrayed a hint of admiration. The Peanut Controversy After their performance, Polly and Pico settled into the universal ritual of breakfast. Nearby, a stash of peanuts—courtesy of a wandering botanist who had tragically underestimated the thieving capabilities of macaws—awaited their attention. Polly dove in first, cracking shells with the precision of a diamond cutter. “You know,” she said between bites, “I read somewhere that peanuts aren’t actually nuts. They’re legumes.” Pico raised an eyebrow, an impressive feat for a bird. “Oh, thank you, Polly. My life was incomplete without that crucial nugget of knowledge. Truly, the rainforest’s resident philosopher has spoken.” “Don’t mock me,” Polly huffed. “I’m educating you. Knowledge is power.” “And yet here we are, fighting over legumes,” Pico quipped, tossing a shell over his shoulder. It landed on a passing lizard, which scurried off in what could only be described as dramatic indignation. A Zen Moment Once the peanuts were gone, the macaws settled into the second act of their daily routine: basking. The sun had risen higher now, and its warmth felt like a soft blanket draped over the forest. Polly and Pico leaned against each other, their feathers shimmering like polished gemstones. “This is the life,” Polly sighed, her voice softer now. “No deadlines, no predators, just sunshine and snacks.” Pico nodded, for once too content to be sarcastic. “You know, Polly, sometimes I think you’re not entirely unbearable.” Polly chuckled, a rich, throaty sound. “And sometimes I think you’re not a complete buzzkill. It’s moments like these that remind me why I put up with you.” “Ah, the highest of compliments,” Pico murmured. “Truly, I am honored.” Their banter faded into companionable silence, the kind that only comes from years of shared mischief and mutual understanding. Around them, the rainforest thrummed with life—the chatter of monkeys, the distant call of a jaguar, the soothing trickle of the waterfall. It was chaos and serenity, all wrapped into one. And in the midst of it all, Polly and Pico sat, two tiny bursts of color in an endless sea of green, perfectly at peace. The Grand Finale As the sun climbed higher, Polly stretched her wings and hopped to the edge of the branch. “Come on, Pico. Let’s give them one last show before siesta time.” Pico groaned but followed her. Together, they took off, their wings slicing through the air with a sound like whispered secrets. They circled the canopy, weaving through the trees in a graceful dance that was equal parts performance and play. Below, the rainforest residents paused to watch, their eyes reflecting the vibrant colors of the macaws’ feathers. When they finally landed back on their branch, Polly puffed out her chest triumphantly. “Another masterpiece,” she declared. “They’ll be talking about this morning for weeks.” “If by ‘talking,’ you mean ‘trying to forget,’ then yes, absolutely,” Pico said, though his tone lacked its usual bite. He was smiling, in that subtle, birdlike way of his. As the rainforest settled into the warm embrace of midday, Polly and Pico leaned against each other once more, their feathers glinting in the sunlight. It had been a good morning—a symphony of color, sound, and just the right amount of chaos. And as they drifted into a blissful nap, the rainforest hummed along, cradling its feathered stars in the arms of its eternal melody. Bring the Symphony Home The vibrant energy and serene charm of "Morning Symphony of the Tropics" can now bring a touch of tropical bliss to your space. Explore these beautiful products, inspired by Polly and Pico’s cheerful world: Tropical Tapestry: Perfect for transforming your living space into a rainforest retreat. Canvas Print: A timeless piece of art that captures the vibrant beauty of the rainforest. Jigsaw Puzzle: A fun and relaxing way to immerse yourself in this colorful tropical scene. Tote Bag: Carry the rainforest’s charm with you wherever you go. Each product celebrates the enchanting beauty of the tropics and lets you bring a piece of this story into your everyday life. Shop the full collection here.
