The Chickadee and Room Service Giraffe

By Jon Ehrlich

the story began one sunny spring day when a young giraffe named Raffe who lived at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo decided that he wanted to make something more of himself.  While it was fine wandering around the zoo greeting visitors and munching on the lettuce which they fed to him and his family, he wanted to leave the zoo and work at an exciting job, one where he helped others have fun and achieve their hearts' desires.  For a long time, he had gazed in the distance at the beautiful buildings of the Broadmoor Resort and longed to become part of all the comings and goings which he observed, for everyone looked so happy as they arrived at its front door.  So, when the Broadmoor Resort decided to open its training program to anyone who showed promise of being able to meet its exacting standards, Raffe applied.  He had worked hard in school, was good at sports, and had volunteered at the local animal shelter where less fortunate animals of all kinds lived until they could be adopted. 

There were written tests, interviews, and role-playing games.  These were to help management determine if applicants had what it took to work well with all kinds of guests, even the most challenging ones.  Raffe excelled at all the tests and was eventually hired as the first room service giraffe.  He was fitted for a uniform and assigned to a mentor to teach him all they knew. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jon Ehrlich
• Release date: Jan 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224377671

Book preview

Chapter 1

A Friendship

Knock knock.  Who’s there?, asked a small voice.

It is I, Raffe, your room service giraffe.

Come in, come in, replied a small voice.

And this is how a beautiful friendship began.  In reality, the story began one sunny spring day when a young giraffe named Raffe who lived at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo decided that he wanted to make something more of himself.  While it was fine wandering around the zoo greeting visitors and munching on the lettuce which they fed to him and his family, he wanted to leave the zoo and work at an exciting job, one where he helped others have fun and achieve their hearts’ desires.  For a long time, he had gazed in the distance at the beautiful buildings of the Broadmoor Resort and longed to become part of all the comings and goings which he observed, for everyone looked so happy as they arrived at its front door.  So, when the Broadmoor Resort decided to open its training program to anyone who showed promise of being able to meet its exacting standards, Raffe applied.  He had worked hard in school, was good at sports, and had volunteered at the local animal shelter where less fortunate animals of all kinds lived until they could be adopted. 

There were written tests, interviews, and role-playing games.  These were to help management determine if applicants had what it took to work well with all kinds of guests, even the most challenging ones.  Raffe excelled at all the tests and was eventually hired as the first room service giraffe.  He was fitted for a uniform and assigned to a mentor to teach him all they knew. 

Mrs. O’Hare the room service rabbit became Raffe’s supervisory mentor; she had worked at the Broadmoor Resort for many years and thought that she had seen it all.  But she admitted that she was skeptical that a giraffe could be a good room steward, after all, they were tall and have very short arms.  But what Raffe lacked in his arm length he more than made up for with intelligence, ingenuity, tact, and friendliness.  After a month of following Mrs. O’Hare around, learning everything from how to put his dress clothes on correctly, how to quietly walk the halls without galumphing, to carefully duck under the lower-hung chandeliers, and most importantly, how to make each guest feel special, she set him free to work the third floor himself.  This was the floor that was reserved for the most special of guests, as it had magnificent views of both the lake and mountains.

So, on his first morning, he was called to bring coffee to Room 310.  Arriving at the door he stood up straight – which for a giraffe made him very tall – and knocked with authority. 

Knock knock.  Who’s there?, asked a small voice. The sound of the voice was very songlike, and Raffe was intrigued.

It is I, Raffe, your room service giraffe.

Oh, oh, come in, come in, sang the small voice.  I am not yet ready to receive visitors this morning and must apologize for my disheveled appearance.

Raffe was intrigued, as he couldn’t imagine who had a voice so musical and gentle.  He was also very respectful of guest privacy, especially that of a special guest.  Raffe entered the suite, and at first, could not find who had spoken.  Then over at the dressing table, he saw a beautiful bird, though with her magnificent plumage and beautiful dressing gown she was certainly no ordinary bird.  She looked like royalty to him.

Good morning, madam, where would you like me to place your coffee?

Why, please bring it here and put it on my table.  I love to sit here fixing my feathers in the early morning sun and sipping the resort’s delicious coffee; it is a wonderful way to start my day.

Despite his intensive training, Raffe could barely take his eyes from the startling unique, and beautiful bird.  He found himself staring and unable to avert his eyes.

If I may be so bold to ask you, madam, what kind of bird are you?  I have never seen one such as yourself. 

Oh, thank you for asking, though I would prefer you call me anything but madam.  That is what my mother is called.

I am afraid that I cannot call you by your first name; I am but a lowly room service giraffe, said Raffe, somewhat formally.

Oh, some rules are so silly.  Please call me Deede; I won’t tell anyone.

Well, since he had been taught to make all guests feel special, he agreed.

And as for your question, I am an exotic chickadee.  Both of my parents were exotic chickadees, as were my ancestors.  Deede’s voice was so melodic it just entranced Raffe.

You must be a very special chickadee, and you have very admirable plumage, said Raffe. 

Deede smiled and shyly thanked him. You are quite handsome yourself, what with your uniform, your green eyes, and spots and all.  Oh my, is spots the right term?

Raffe blushed and replied, "Actually, they are called patches, and I have my parents to thank for them.... And yes, we do have exquisite uniforms here