Peel

This is the story of how Peel slipped out of Banana’s shadow to find his place in the world.

“Why am I here?”
“Where will I go?”
“Who will love me?”
wondered Peel, as he hit the trail early in the morning.

What started out looking like a rivalry between two very similar pals, ended in a journey of search that was very much coming from within. In a world that tells us to constantly find our purpose, seize our destiny, and live our dreams, there is a quieter backstage to life that we often ignore: simply to live and to experience.

I hope you never stop seeking, but always pause when you need it. And I hope this book is the pause that meets you on the path of your journey.

— from Beatrice

In many ways, Peel’s journey is a metaphor for mental health — the brave, uncertain path of stepping out from what’s familiar, questioning your place in the world, and learning that your worth isn’t defined by comparison. It’s about learning to love yourself, even when you feel small, overlooked, or unsure.

Because sometimes, the hardest part of healing is just beginning the journey. And like Peel, we all deserve space to grow, to question, and to find our own light — even if it takes time.

— Aqilah, QUPL