did you hear the one about the elephant and the giraffe house?

Illustration of an elephant and a giraffe standing together on an African savanna, with trees in the background.

they met at the lake one hot day and started chatting.

it turned out they had a lot in common.

the best part?

they were both musicians!

The giraffe was a great guitar player…

Illustration of a giraffe playing an acoustic guitar.

…and the elephant dominated the drums!

Illustration of an elephant playing a drum kit

it just so happened the giraffe had a studio in his basement.

excitedly, they invited their new friend over for a jam session!

"Sweet" in cursive script with extended horizontal lines on a white background.

and the elephant said…

they set a date for next week and sealed the deal with a fistbump.

Illustration of a giraffe's hoof and an elephant's trunk performing a fist bump.

at last the day came.

the elephant was excited.

Black and white illustration of a checkmark on a calendar page with two circular rings at the top.

they gathered up all their things…

and went on their way.

Illustration of an elephant with a drum set on its back.
Four white paw prints on a black background

but there was a problem.

upon arrival, the elephant quickly realized that they could not fit inside the giraffe house.

Elephant peeking out from behind a narrow panel
Sketch of a tall, narrow brick house with a giraffe looking out the second-floor window.

for the giraffe house was tall and narrow and the elephant…

…was not.

the now sad elephant once again gathered up all their things….

…and vowed to come back next week to try again.

that week the elephant tried many things.

they hit the gym…

Illustration of elephant on treadmill, black and white

watched their diet…

Illustration of an elephant sitting at a table with an empty plate.

tried a corset….

Anthropomorphic elephant with a muscular human body wearing a corset, black and white illustration.

and hoped it was enough.

Illustration of an elephant standing on a scale, sketched in black and white.

but it still did not work.

Black and white drawing of an elephant standing in a doorway next to a drum.
Illustration of an elephant's face with detailed line work, showing large ears, tusks, and a long trunk.

and they were sad.

and then they went their separate ways and never saw each other again.

the end.

"Just kidding" text in playful font with wavy lines

the giraffe hired contractors, moved the studio upstairs, and widened the door.

the giraffe apologized to the elephant and asked that come back... and they did!

Elephant walking through door carrying drums on its back and trunk; humorous illustration.
Illustration of an elephant playing drums and a giraffe playing guitar.

and the elephant and the giraffe jammed happily ever after.

#changethehouse

#changethehouse challenges us to:

  • play an active role to create more safe spaces

  • consider the possibility that you are ok just the way you are

as a movement, #changethehouse intends to normalize neurodiversity in our culture: our everyday language and broad understanding.

changing the house requires your active participation. we hope that you, too, choose to

make a statement with your stuff.