Intergenerational Storybooks
These stories were written by the participants in the Rituals and Robots Integenerational workshop in Finsbury Park, May 2026. Each participant wrote a page each of the story, then passed the pages onto the person next to them, based on a form of the Consequences game. They have been transcribed by my co-facilitators Rose Levinson and David Jeffery.
Journey From Nowhere To Everywhere
I was born on a piece of land not much bigger than a thumbnail. A place that seems more ‘fluke’ in geographical terms than design, although I know all things natural are design. This place remains a colony. My call is and always will be to change that. No fluke.
Could a worldwide, free communication technology help free this piece of land, and how?
But three things stop me: my own fears! I need an expert! A map to success!
I reach a place, a place that I designed. I take my magic piece of tech and start to tell myself and the world that they can now design their destiny, and stop being fearful.
Everyone is connected and in the digital world. My place and people are not limited anymore. People can traverse from lands in no time. We all now have advanced technologies: VR; holograms; robot avatars. This is the new way, free and decolonized.
END OF BOOK.
Meaning, Connection + Age
How can I make meaning and connection now that I am old?
I think meaning shares a likeness with energy. You cannot make meaning, only hold it, redirect it, let it go by. As we age, I think meaning necessitates rediscovery
as much as discovery.
I discover new meanings that contradict older ones. I live in a time where the meaning of ‘old’ is changing.
I look towards my initial question and have a sense that I might now know. But other people might. My future means that I need to go on try and make connection and that those new connections bring me new friends and meaning.
After a long, tiring journey–changing horses many times–I arrive at the final destination: a castle perished on a Welsh cliff. The keeper of the castle leans forward, takes my hand and says ‘the meaning of ‘old’ has changed throughout your life, but when you arrive at these castle gates you have earned the right to claim what old means to you. Welcome.’
END OF BOOK
The World Is My Oyster
(The Call):I’m always excited to start a new adventure if it means a challenge for me; more things to discover and experience. (The Helper):Bring my partner along or my close family (parents and siblings) as we get along really well, and we always will.
A goblin appears and says that in order to continue your journey, you must pay your dues. He eats humans and to keep you family, you have to sacrifice three things of great value to you for his collection. You give him your hesitation, your cowardliness and your sadness.
The destination is a discovery and a challenge–self knowledge and reliance on others who may not always be there.The triumph is the loss of the negative feelings that were transferred to the goblin.
You also realise the qualities you see in others that you also have and decide to develop them.
END OF BOOK
Drawing Of Half A Bird Book
Inequalities between people; the few eat most of the pie while the many have just a small slice (picture illustrates this)
Helper: the wind needs to keep blowing to get me to…….where? What do I do if the wind stops blowing? That may be my destination, but not the end of my search.
I have a chance to stop, to get off here to take a rest. It would be so easy; the island of the lotus eaters comes to mind, so I press on…Then it becomes pain. It starts in my knees and spreads like a treacly moss, but I reach down and tear it off.
END OF BOOK
Where The Wind Blows
You can trust that wherever you end up, you’ll be ok. As long as you let yourself be lost and scared on occasion.
You find the power within you to sidetrack the thing that was stopping you; go forward and continue on your way.
An internal force pushing constantly forward not allowing stagnation (terrified of stagnation!).
A sliver trail emerges from your belly button and reaches from you to the horizon, like skin stretched into thread. You try to move forward but the trail pokes into your stomach.
The tests of power: what power(s) do you have? How can you give your powers up? Who would you give your power(s) to?
END OF BOOK
The Island Of Strangers
Connect with whatever you can, whenever you can. I love talking to strangers; it’s my favourite thing.
The call is a response to life in London–roofs as far as the eye can see. The call is to the wild! A stranger approached to me and said ‘oi!’ The sandal is moving. You want to be in it; we are going to the island, come on!’
I got to the island of connections after a five day trek through the desert. Everything had changed. My family had gone. Friends also. Everything was different, even the dogs + pigs. I sat and wept. Then a dog ran up. ‘What is it’, I said. ‘Connect’, he barked. We’re all passing through. Just connect.’
END OF BOOK
Only Connect
The lovely humans and the frail dogs look at each other cautiously. One ragged hound and one worn woman move forward towards each other. It was the beginning of a new beginning of true connection.
Anxious, you go outside because your dog really needs help, and you really need to talk. Turns out, when you look closer you find that the outside is full of hurt dogs and lonely humans.
Test #1: you ask your AI chatbot on a date but realise they don’t enjoy your favourite wine–a red; what do you do? Test #2: your dog sprains one of its hind legs and you ask your chatbot for nearest vet–alas your subscription has run out. Test #3: your phone has died and with that your sense of self. What next?
As is everywhere now, most jobs have been automated by AI robots. You are bored, jobless. You have just enough to survive but that doesn’t fulfill you or bring joy. What will you do now?
You begin by looking at yourself for validation. It’s not easy because somehow we can’t find our inner selves. We have so many false messages. But look for inner clarity. Keep looking. Then search out others.
END OF BOOK
The Call Of The Wind
The wind’s blowing and beckoning me outside to jump on its wings and carry me off somewhere. Where? That’s the adventure.
As I am borne along, I start to somersault and then feel a pair of hands reaching out, steadying me but moving alongside me as we both continue the journey of the wind.
3 Tests: When the people you meet don’t speak the language. Venomous animals scaring you on the way. Having enough money to pursue the adventure.
The wind dies down and gently drops you in a field. You sit in the grass and consider your journey. Communication is part human and you can connect to anyone through empathy. Venomous animals do not hurt you if you choose not to scare them. True adventure is an attitude.
The transformation is an easing of cares, a lightness of spirit that sustains you into your future.
END OF BOOK
More Attention Towards My Human Soul
The diversity of human minds is not given enough thought and attention. Minds are almost like blood types.
I could see the problem immediately. It was to do with diversity. At that point, a blue rabbit 30 feel tall appeared. ‘Hello, how can I help?’, said the rabbit. ‘It’s about diversity. What can you suggest?’ I replied.
There are three questions you must answer: 1. Are there equal numbers of males and females? 2. Are all races equally represented? 3. Are all wealth bands equally represented?
I was an egoist but now I’m an anarchist. So the answer to your questions are: 1. *****knows. 2. No. But how can I unite people if I’m an anarchist? I’ll change. Whoopee. 3. You’re kidding; where’s Bezos?
END OF BOOK
The Beauty Of All Things
I awaken in a bed of comfort in the Swiss mountains. The blossoms bob their heads under my weight and I gaze at the sky. It is empty. I feel something indescribable. There is so much beauty on earth, but how am I to know if there is anything above?
A familiar–a cow or perhaps a robin–arrives to keep you company. But their motivation is not clear, nor their wants, as they hop about close, then they fly away, then come back.
1.What are you hoping to see above? 2.. Can the familiars help you? 3. How will you feel if there is nothing?
So I did land in a safe place after all. The beauty of the sky and the earth. I get back to the question–what is my adventure?
A petal from the cornflowers falls into my lap, a feather from the robin grazes my cheek. I feel I have learned something about the value of all things and I see it reflected in the clouds.
END OF BOOK
Dibbling The Dabble
One day I woke up. That was the only thing I was certain about. There was a ‘these’ and a ‘me’ and that was it. I opened my mouth but sounds I could not understand came out. What was I to do? What was I to do?
I think you are questioning the sanctity of your human life and what does that mean for you.
‘My human life? How do I know I’m even here? Even alive?’
The helper sighed. Here are three basic tests for you:
No1. Dib your dibble.
No2. Dob your dobble.
No3 Dub your dubble.’
I did as the helper suggested. Then something extraordinary happened…
I woke up! It was all a dream! I realised that what I had to do was very simple –
So. I’m a conscious being. Oh no! Stop the earth rotating. I wanna get off.
And I do.
I have a dab of dibble. Problem sorted.
END OF BOOK
Journeying
Chaos prevails for a long time, changing everything. Structures break and fear prevails. What endures is human animals’ need to survive. Human nature is a constant. Good, evil, generosity, envy, kindness, fear, rage, desire, hatred, love – all these endure. They are impure, they are a mix, there is no final answer. Time & space endure.
But everyone was hidden from sight, in front of screens that kept them apart. Our heroine found a magic flute which, when played, brought people together. A special pixie played the flute.
But the screen would not disappear. The pixie needed
- To tell the ultimate truth,
- Do a dance that would draw everyone’s attention.
- Then hide so they could never be found again
The heroine decides it’s time for the truth. Break barriers with kindness & love.
She throws a party, everyone sings and dances. However they still prefer to stay in familiar groups.
To make them come together truly, you ask them to blindfold a partner, dance while each person shares one deep secret & truth. That finally brought everyone together connections deeply.(?)
END OF BOOK
The Adventure: Break the Barriers
The call to adventure: to go forwards, to go on a journey to find out what people need to thrive in the World. Not just exist.
As you are now searching, you met three people that influenced you:
- The Monk: Makes you question/think about the endless ratrace.
- Child in a Park: carefree, just having fun, unbothered.
- Billionaire Entrepreneur: self-made and ambitious person.
Tests
- What do I believe to be right – not just for me but for the larger world beyond me. How do I work with myself to do the right thing?
- How do I confront evil and negativity – in myself and others?
- How do I conquer futility and who can help me with these questions?
There are so many cliches about beginning. About mustering enough energy to get out of the door and step forwards. I appreciate these cliches over the ones about the “journey”. And much more than the ones about arriving anywhere. I think the challenge in most things is choosing to begin not once but repeatedly – until you forget that starting anew is a cliche. Who cares about the end?
You’ve invited the monk, the child (now grown up) and the billionaire to hang out. Not once, but every week. You are now very different, disagree on a lot, but through repetition you create something. Comfort? Familiarity? Solidarity?
END OF BOOK
No Title
What changes is how you respond to what you confront. There is no end to the journey until you have no more breath. You must make yourself fluid and try to stay open, always reaching, learning, moving. When you stop moving you are less alive.
Time flows endlessly – stay in the flow.
A talking dog. The dog asked the hero what they wanted and offered to help our hero find the sun, but warned there were many tests and trials on the way.
You decide to take a boat now, and in deep waters of the Pacific chasing the sun. Suddenly you see a storm brewing, your drinking water is running out, you are getting tired but can’t give up. What do you do –
- Go back to shore and be called a failure.
- Face the storm, no matter what
- Conserve your energy, food, water & just pray for good luck.
If your dog can speak, my intuition inclines me to believe that anything is possible in this world with a storm. If you ask me what I’d do, well, I like storms. I’d count raindrops as long as I could and at breaking point, paddled in my raft, I’d take a sip, continue, continue, and say thank you to the storm.
END OF BOOK
The Phantom Window
I was lying in bed with a ferocious hangover when the foghorn went off. I looked out of the window. It was foggy so I couldn’t see anything. Suddenly a voice rang out – Help! Help!
I leant out of the window – “Who’s there?”. A small voice said “Me. I’m stuck – I need a plumber – my finger’s stuck in a tap”.
‘Your finger’s stuck in a tap?’
‘Yes!’
‘You’re an idiot!’
‘I know.’
‘Look. The plumber is coming!’
‘Thank goodness!’
‘But she’s an idiot.’
‘Oh no!’
‘But she has a wrench!’
Finally I reached the hall of forgetfulness. The plumber was already there, with his tools.
‘I was at home eating cake,’ she said, ‘but I got the call so I came. To be honest it was a bit of a wrench.’
‘Hail fair plumber wench’ I said, but instantly forgot where I was.
I found myself back in bed, with the fog for company and an unexpected wrench beside me…
END OF BOOK
Tag Ends –
I realise that inequality will be sustained. The world will continue to be unfair. I can change peoples’ views of the world, however, by being kind. The moss dries out and the pain goes away.
I don’t think we need a mechanic or artificial intelligence helper, I think we need to go back to communal village/countryside lifestyle where we sit, dine, read, work and produce together. Where youngers feed, help, clean elders that can not do (which is fine). Where elders teach, share and enlight the youngers in need. I’ll sound like a boomer, but I don’t like future because of Tik Tok. I’ll be a farmer. I’m crossed with future 🙁
It doesn’t matter where we all come from or who we are. We can all aspire to reach the same destination with whatever means we have to do so. Reach the destination.