30th July 2026 Allan Hildesheim
Six years ago, in the depths of the COVID pandemic, two friends got together to imagine a better world. One imagined through her art – her name is Beena. The other imagined through his words – his name is Grandpa Allan. Together, they imagined nine stories based on nine paintings – the Grandpa Allan and Beena Stories. Beena painted, and Grandpa Allan wrote, and together they imagined a world beyond the pandemic. Each story ended by encouraging others to “come up with 1,000 stories, together”. One thing led to another; the paintings along with their stories were posted, and the 1,000 Stories Together Project was born.
With Beena’s dedication and determination, slowly but steadily others began to comment on the paintings; new paintings were posted by Beena and others; more stories were told; and yet more comments were added. No one, except maybe Beena herself, would have imagined that six years later we would actually reach the 1,000th painting story, together!!
To mark this occasion, Beena shared a painting of herself with her beloved dogs (Zara, Mika and Yumi) and asked that I imagine one more story. And so, now six years older and an actual grandparent, I have imagined the following …….
White is such a beautiful colour. So pure, so calming, and so simple. But only when it is paired with other colours, like blue and green and brown, does white become its full self. Because what would white be if not a blank sheet if it weren’t for these other colours? You see, nothing can be beautiful, and nothing can be perfect by itself, only together. Just like the 1,000 Stories Together Project, which without the contribution of many would have been nothing. Just like Zara, Mika and Yumi in the painting, who without Beena would not have been Zara, Mika and Yumi but something altogether other. But that’s not all because without white, the colours blue and green and brown would not have been blue and green and brown but something altogether other. And without Zara, Mika and Yumi, painter Beena would not have been Beena but something altogether other.
You see, we may forget this from time to time, but none of us would be who we are without the other. Only together can we be who and what we are, even when we are not physically together.
So, together, we have accomplished our Project and have reached our 1,000th painting story, together. Thank you to all who have contributed to this Project thus far, and let’s continue to imagine, together. Now it’s onto the next 1,000 painting stories, together. Carry on!
1 thought on “1000th Story!!”
Dear Allan
Thanks for writing the 1000th story. I am deeply grateful to everyone who participated in our little venture to create a space for creativity. Due to the enormous interest from friends, their children and grandchildren, and accomplished artists in Malaysia, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands, we reached our first goal of 1000 stories. However, we will continue to write and post more as we get creative work. Let us make this website a place where creativity builds unity. As Allan wrote, we can only do things together, never on our own. Let this platform be an example of unity. Growth happens with unity. My sincere thanks to each one of you, from the youngest 2-year-old to the oldest 87-year-old; there is no age limit here. Thank you,
Beena.