Behind the inspiration: Porcupine Book

Porcupine Book is the second book of my Creator's Alphabet Series, for "children" of all ages. In these stories, we find out how creativity, imagination, and occasional unpredictable moments "help" to shape each animal in creation.

Where the idea began

Porcupines are such interesting creatures. Prickly on the outside , yet still part of a gentle, intentional design. I began to wonder what a "porcupine moment" might look like in creation. What if a playful, curious friend helped to shape this little creature?

Monkey's curiosity and the "accident"

In Porcupine Book, Monkey and his curiosity "help" (quite by default) to create Porcupine. Monkey does not set out to design anything. He is simply being himself. Exploring, touching, testing and playing. yet through his curious actions, something begins to change. What looks like a mess of motion and mistake slowly takes the form of an animal covered in quills.

Children can laugh at Monkey's antics, but underneath the fun is this gentle truth that sometimes what feels like one big tangle of accidents is STILL being held in loving hands.

NO MISTAKES IN CREATOR'S DESIGN

Creator knows the temperament of all of creation. Every gentle lamb, every bold lion, every prickly porcupine. In the story, creator calmly sees what is happening and is not surprised. creator declares that there are no mistakes, only purposes and designs that may not be clear to us yet.

Even a creature covered in quills has a place, a purpose, and a kind of beauty in the larger story.

Just a Thought:

When you think of your own "prickly" parts, or of the "prickly" people in your life, can you imagine that even there, Creator is at work? Perhaps Creator is shaping something with purpose and saying, "There are no mistakes".