The Great Box Tour is a story written by me about a she-cat named Nana who has spent her whole life in one box. After meeting Scrappy, she finds out that the world is so much bigger than she could have ever imagined. She finds out she doesn’t have to stay in her one box, which she has long since outgrown, but can feel free to explore both herself and the world. In the end, she finds she does not have to find just one box to fit in, but that she is free to choose as many as she feels she can handle.
In essence, she finds that she does not have to stay in the box she was born in. To the brink with what people think- Scrappy tells her when she frets about what people would say if she left it. If the box is too small for you and you’re unhappy in it, what’s the point of it?
I like to joke that when I’m at in-person events, this story has absolutely no possible way it could be interpreted in other facets of life other than just hobbies. There is no way the idea of choosing to live outside of the box you were born in could be interpreted as anything but a cat leaving a box. Its just a children’s story! Just a story about a cat who is exploring boxes!
But seeing as you are reading this, you won’t necessarily hear the playful sarcasm that entire paragraph was laced with.
This story is, in fact, very metaphorical. It is an excellent message for people of all ages and backgrounds. Venturing out of one’s comfort zone to try new things is scary, as is the idea of people’s reactions to it.
I find that this story is very applicable to the queer community as well, as there are those within it who find that the box they were born into- or Assigned gender at birth, does not fit them. It doesn’t spark joy as it were. They leave the box someone else put them in to feel more at peace.
It can be hard, because, as we see it, the world around us- Nana’s fears are not unfounded. There will be people who judge those who do not fit into the box they are expected to. But it’s hardly a life at all, living in a box you don’t belong in, miserable all the while when you could be free.
There are all sorts of people out there, and even if you have to leave some behind when you seek your truth, there will be a community that accepts you. The queer community is made up of such an eclectic bunch, but I will say, through the various Pride events I’ve vended at this month, they are all wonderful people. I invite you to pick up my book The Great Box Tour if it pleases you. Its got a message all people could stand to hear, wrapped up in adorable cats.