Think Globally, Act Locally | Create a multi-ended story

Discover the power of storytelling in addressing climate grief and create a multi-ended story where the reader chooses the destiny of the planet.

Suitable for ages 7+

Image of 'The potential to lose so much gives me an overwhelming feeling of fear.' Young person, Wigan. Image courtesy of People's History Museum

Do you ever feel worried about the future?

You are not alone. There is even a term to describe it: climate grief.

Never ignore these feelings, they won’t go away on their own.

Talk to others about how you are feeling, you will probably find they feel the same.
Start to make simple changes to your life. Could you recycle more? Walk instead of using the car or the bus? Look to join or set up a local environmental group?

Image of 'Stories are a way we can empathise with someone else's experience ... feel connected and know that we could be similarly understood.' Storytelling at People's History Museum

Storytelling can help!

Storytelling is a powerful tool to help us communicate with other people. It can bring facts and ideas to life, and challenge existing beliefs.

Writing can encourage us to talk about difficult emotions and make big problems feel more manageable.

A multi-ended story allows the reader to make choices which result in different endings. In terms of climate change, this helps us to see how our actions can impact the planet.

Creating your multi-ended story

Step by step guide

Multi-ended story step by step @ People's History Museum

This guide will help you to write your story in four simple steps.

Step by step guide

Story template

Multi-ended story template. Image courtesy of People's History Museum

A flowchart helps to plan how your story will develop.

Story template

Writing inspiration

Multi-ended story writing inspiration by People's History Museum

A selection of fun writing activities to help you unleash your imagination.

Writing inspiration

Which Tomorrow? banner - multi-ended story inspiration

What can you see? This banner made in 1996 shows two versions of the world, on the left hand side biodiversity is thriving, and on the right hand side it is dying.

(Biodiversity: a term for all living things and their habitats.)

What do you think the message is? ‘Our Children’s World Held In Our Hands’ tells us it is in our power to save the planet if we make changes now.

What choices do we make that would see the world ending up like either side of image on the banner? For example we could use a reusable water bottle or one made of single use plastic.

Image of Which Tomorrow? banner, 1996. Image courtesy of People's History Museum

A multi-ended story written by Atherton Youth Voice and Wigan Youth Cabinet

Image of Story writing with Peoples History Museum A seemingly ordinary day takes an unusual turn, with a little help from a mysterious character!

This multi-ended story was inspired by the Which Tomorrow? banner in the museum's collection, pictured above.

Part of the Think Globally, Act Locally project, 2021.