30 Comments
User's avatar
Rachel Williams's avatar

This is beautiful. This resonates deeply with me. Thanks for writing it like a story, that’s so creative and just lands differently. I think there are a lot of us who feel this way.

venus faye's avatar

thank you for reading! i also feel like so many of us here can relate. that’s why i like to think of you all as my soul tribe! 🥰

Rachel Williams's avatar

Yes! I’m finding that Substack is a great place to find your tribe. Really exciting. :)

Mirage's avatar

My tiger brought me here 🐅... I love this ❤️

venus faye's avatar

awww, thanks for reading and the restack! your poem felt like i wrote this for you too!

Mirage's avatar

Yeah, the two feel connected 🐅 thank you 🫶🏼

venus faye's avatar

definitely! 🔥🐯🔥

Ink and Light by Nat Hale's avatar

Oh how I love this. It is such a beautiful example of how story and child language can carry truths that would feel almost unbearable if stated directly. The simplicity of the kitten’s voice lets the ache come through without defensiveness, and the fairy tale tone creates enough safety for the revelation to land gently rather than as a wound.

I’m really struck by how the innocence of the language does not dilute the depth at all. It actually sharpens it. Loneliness, misattunement, being too much, being different, the relief of finally being seen all emerge more clearly because they are filtered through play, scent, texture, and wonder.

The shift from kitten to tiger is especially powerful. It reframes shame as misplacement rather than flaw, and strength as something that was always there, just unrecognised. It feels deeply reparative. Like something a younger part could understand and carry, while an adult reader feels the full emotional truth underneath.

Thank you for sharing.

venus faye's avatar

aww, thanks for such a beautiful reflection my friend! that’s exactly how it hit me. i wrote it out of the blue, just started typing, as i didn’t know it was in there. it was as much for me as for anyone else! as is the case with all our writing… so glad we are on this journey together. 💕

Maddy's avatar

This was a beautiful story to listen to on a sunny morning <3 How adorable, and your voice is so soothing. I want to be a little kitten!!

venus faye's avatar

awww, thank you! somehow i missed this comment. 🥰

Tim Wojan's avatar

So sweet

venus faye's avatar

thanks for reading! i really appreciate it and somehow missed this comment. 🥰

Patricia Rollema's avatar

Lovely

venus faye's avatar

thank you so much for reading and being here! i somehow missed this before! 🌸

Kelly Trost's avatar

Oh, oh, oh! How I love this! A beautiful story of the profound privilege it is to finally understand that what makes you different is what ultimately makes you unique, rare and precious. Wonderfully story, finally crafted.

venus faye's avatar

it does feel like the biggest blessing. to know we are always loved and appreciated by the divine, and it’s just a matter of finding our soul tribe and those who have the capacity to perceive our brightness.

Kelly Trost's avatar

Yes, precisely. We both understand this. Your piece is lovely.

Ania ❤️‍🔥's avatar

This made me cry (in the best way possible).

venus faye's avatar

awww… 🥰 that’s means a lot that you were touched by it. thank you! i really needed to hear the medicine in it too, and i think that’s why it came tumbling out of me!

The AI Architect's avatar

Gorgeous storytelling. The part about how 'different meant scary to some and intimidating to others' really captures how people project their own discomfort onto anyone who doesn't fit thier mold. Finding your actual tribe changes everything because suddenly the traits that isolated you before become the things that connect you.

venus faye's avatar

that’s exactly it! i think that those of us who relate to this story, and the part of me that had it come tumbling out, all understand what it’s like to be misunderstood and projected upon. and the story is so healing for me too as i have had to walk away from everyone in my family. and now, on this writing platform, i find other deeply honest and courageous humans.

Aaliya's avatar

What a heartwarming tale! This story beautifully captures the journey of self-discovery and acceptance. The little tiger’s transformation from feeling lonely to embracing her true identity is truly inspiring. It reminds us all that sometimes, we need to look beyond the surface to find where we truly belong. This one resonates deeply my friend ♥️

venus faye's avatar

aww, thanks, aaliya. i appreciate you reading this one and leaving your thoughtful words. belonging is such a journey for so many of us here…so glad you came back! ♥️

2 Wild And Free's avatar

Such a beautiful story for all the misfits and the "weirdos" out there! There is always something greater behind every difficulty, and there is always hope 🩷

venus faye's avatar

yes! i always seek out the perspective of hope and the magical gifts inside the painful experiences life throws at us. it’s so important! thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment. it means a lot to me. ♥️

SteveH's avatar

Stay your course tiger. You have all the stripes you need. Thanks for making others happy with your music and prose.

venus faye's avatar

haha, will do! thanks, steve! ♥️

WTF Is Going On With's avatar

Beautiful 🫶

venus faye's avatar

thanks for the love! ♥️