Present Day-Years after Day of Destruction

The old man looked out at the vast, desolate wasteland through the narrow space of the boards of the window. The darkness was broken by a lantern outside his home, a speck amidst the haze that hovered over the ground, hiding the ugliness of the land...though he knew what was there. Sharp, wooden splintered angles of tree stumps pierced the fog. The dark purple sky filled with toxic smog, all flora was gone replaced by dirt and rocks...what little plant life was left was brown dried grass and dead bushes that reached up like ugly, blackened clawed hands. No fauna lived here either except a few black crows that split the silence with harsh caws. The smell of pollution, smoke, and death hung in the air, making him cough now and then.

Try as he might to hide the sight of the land in a vain attempt to forget, the memories he couldn't forget. They burned in his mind for many years, especially one heart-wrenching...

All he could see were those eyes: pale, sunken filled with tears that expressed despondence, anguish and betrayal...staring up at him through small, lank strands of colorless hair...

The horror and remorse clawed inside him when the flash of those eyes came into his mind...hearing the despair-filled voice that echoed in his mind, as it spoke the most harrowing word through dry, cracked lips:

"Why?"

Tears flooded the old man's eyes, weeping as he touched the small, round object in his pocket...

******

Fiora watched as Once-ler walked away with his mule named Melvin to sell his strange invention. She had to admit after being in his house, she was fascinated by all the objects. She wanted to see more of this human's world.

She climbed through the window and explored some more. It seemed everything in the human world gleamed, hard, sharp. It made no sense. Yet, there were some things that were soft and warm that she liked. The human's bed certainly was. She squat down and looked at Once-ler's pajamas.

The Lorax chuckled to himself, watching his pupil explore everything in the human's home. There were objects that looked like rectangular rocks: hard on the outside, but smooth and white inside.

"What are these?" she asked the Lorax.

"They're books," the Lorax said. "Humans use them to gather knowledge."

She touched this new object and discovered it split open, making her gasp in shock!

"I think I broke it, Lorax!" she exclaimed.

"It's alright, kid," said the Lorax with a laugh. "It's supposed to do that. You just opened it."

Fiora stared in fascination at the book. There were black markings on the white expanse. It was smooth and flexible.

"What is this?" she asked.

"That's called a page. And the black markings on it are called words."

"Oh! This must be some kind of human language," she said, squinting. Fiora couldn't understand it at all.

She sat on Once-ler's bed and discovered the wonders of this new object. Aside from words, there were the strangest things, which the Lorax told her were pictures: it showed tall trees that shined like the sun. Strange things on circles. Unusual beasts she had never seen before. Lands she had never knew existed. Even trees! All shapes and sizes with different leaves!

"Everything in this human's world is so...interesting. It's like a whole other forest."

"It sure is," the Lorax said with a chuckle.

"What...are you doing?" Once-ler said.

He had a very unpleasant look. His clothes were covered in red stains. He glared at the two intruders that had entered his house without asking.

"Oh hey, Beanpole!" said the Lorax with a smile. When he saw the state the young man was, he raised his eyebrows. "What happened to you?"

"Never mind," he said dismissively. "I want to know what are you two doing in my house!"

"Did we do something wrong?" asked Fiora a bit scared.

"Uh yea! I'd really like it if you didn't go in and out of my house whenever you want," he replied with a scowl.

"Oh...I see," she said, trying to remember the new words she learned from him this morning. "It's...rude."

"Yes. Very good," he said sarcastically. "Now could you two get out?"

Fiora flinched a bit. She wasn't used to all this shouting, plus seeing the angry human scared her. The Lorax told Fiora to go outside so he could have a word with the human. With a nod, she climbed out the window.

"Hey, you need to take it easy, Beanpole!" said the Lorax. "Fiora didn't know any better."

"Oh, and I don't suppose you could've told her not to go into my house?" Once-ler said.

"You're the human...you should be the one to give her an idea about your world."

"You mean I'm suppose to educate that girl-child about my world? Why can't you do it?"

"And why not? You don't look busy to me. And don't be so mean to her. She did save your life. And I told you: Fiora's had no exposure to humans."

Once-ler sighed and pinched of the bridge of his nose with a groan. He had to remind him about the whole river incident.

"Alright," he said. "Could you just excuse me for a little bit?"

"Sure thing, Beanpole," said the Lorax.

Once-ler showed him to the door and sighed, then got out of his dirty clothes. He hadn't done too well in town today selling his Thneed. They threw tomatoes and laughed at him. He was humiliated and crushed. Well, it was only his first day. He'll have to make some improvements on his sales pitch. Had to think positive.

He worked on a few ideas and a new jingle, crumpled some up and tossed them in the trash. He strummed his guitar, humming some music and wrote music notes on paper.

"What are you doing?" Fiora asked looking in the window.

"Just working," he replied quietly.

She looked at Once-ler. She could sense something was bothering him.

"You seem sad," she said. "Is something wrong?"

"It's nothing, Fiora," he replied, trying to swallow his feelings.

"You can tell me," she said.

Once-ler was surprised that someone actually wanted to know what he was feeling. He wasn't used to it and there was that part of him that didn't feel comfortable. He built walls around his heart, suppressed his feelings because men were not supposed to have any.

"I just...had a bad day," he sighed. "That's all. I don't really want to talk about it."

Fiora wondered why the human didn't want to talk about his feelings. Was that normal? She saw he was uncomfortable...and remembered how angry he got when she was asking so many questions. She didn't want to make him that way.

"I'm sorry for going in your house," she said. "I won't do it again, Once-ler. I promise."

He shrugged. "You can go in my house. I'd like it if you don't go inside when I'm not home or without asking. And if you want to go inside, just knock on the door."

"What's that?"

"This," he said, tapping his knuckles on his desk.

She gasped in bewilderment at the sound. How strange!

"Is this a human custom?" she asked.

"Yea," said Once-ler. "It's how we tell others that we wish to visit them in their home. But...don't do it too much. It can be annoying."

"Your human ways are so strange," she said. "Yet, it's interesting."

Fiora thought how she could cheer up the human. Maybe a change of environment would. It was a beautiful day; the sun was bright, the air was clear and it was warm outside.

"Would you like to come outside, Once-ler?" she suggested.

"Not right now," he said.

"Oh," she said disappointed. "Well, if you change your mind, I'll be by the lily pond. I like to sit there whenever I feel sad."

Once the sprite was gone, he sighed. She was being nice to him. He wondered if she wanted something from him...which often happened. She didn't seem to...just a simple offer to come outside. Nothing else.

With a shrug, he set down his guitar and tossed his pencil on the desk, went outside, finding Fiora sitting under the shade of a Truffula tree by the pond, dotted with water lilies. Once-ler felt hot and rolled up his sleeves.

"Hi," he said shyly. "Is anyone sitting here?"

"Not at all," she said.

He slowly sat down, getting comfortable. The silence between them was long. He watched as Fiora hummed as she dipped her bare foot in the water, feeling the fishes nibble at her toes; this made her burst into giggles. Then, they presented her with a water lily, which she smiled, tucking it behind her ear.

He was unsure of what to say to the forest sprite. He was shy around girls: they either laughed at him, pitied him or just thought he was strange. He wondered if Fiora would do the same if she knew the real him. And yet she knew nothing about humans nor their thoughts on what was socially acceptable nor their customs.

"I...uh..." he began, his tongue tied up in knots and blush blossomed.

Fiora looked over at Once-ler: his cheeks were pink as a Truffula tree, looking sweaty and rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yes?" she said curious about what he was going to say.

He cleared his throat, looking for words and feeling stupid at the same time.

"Um...first off, thank you for...what you did at the river..." he said.

The green girl smiled. "You're welcome. And thank you for your promise."

A small smile curved in Once-ler's face. "Certainly. I've always tried my best to keep promises that I make." After a beat, he began. "So, you've never met any humans, Fiora?"

"No," she said. "I've never seen any humans come to this valley. You're the first one. I wasn't aware they existed either."

"And you've never left the forest?"

"All I've ever known is here," she said looking up at the trees. "But no, I saw no reason to leave it. I'm perfectly content here. Yet, ever since you came, I must admit you have made me curious about humans. Lorax told me a little about humans when you first arrived."

Once-ler quirked an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"That they're noisy, round-eared invasive pests."

Once-ler scoffed, rubbing his ear with an eyeroll. Typical of Mustache to say that. he thought.

"So, what is Mustache's deal anyway?" he said.

"He's not too bad. He just doesn't like intruders in his forest. Just stay on his good side by upholding your promise and you'll do fine with him."

"Thanks for the advice," he said a bit dry. "And you and Mustache...like what's your relation to him?"

"The Lorax is my mentor...he taught me everything about taking care of the forest."

Once-ler shrugged. Made some sense. Yet why he never told her about humans...probably because none had ever came to the Truffula forest. That would explain Fiora's social awkwardness and endless questions.

"And how long have you lived here in the forest?"

"I was here when time itself began," she said simply.

"Wow! You mean you're..." he said flabbergasted.

A silvery giggle came from Fiora. "Old as time? Yes, indeed. I am younger than the Lorax though...about a decade or so."

Once-ler's eyes went wide with amazement. The girl was so young! She looked like she could've been in her early twenties, maybe late teens. But she was OLDER than him!

"You could've fooled me. You don't look that old," he joked.

He did worry about offending her since women from his world didn't like to joke about their age.

The forest girl just giggled, her hair turning pink.

"Yes, I am young as springtime," she said. "Rest assured, I will never grow any older as you see me before your eyes."

Immortal AND eternally young. Wow! If he had ever encountered someone like that, he would've asked them what it was like to live forever: they probably had seen everything change as time did. But Fiora never left the forest...she knew nothing about what occurred outside of it. He couldn't imagine it, being as old as her, living in the Truffula forest...isolated from civilization.

Pipsqueak climbed into Fiora's lap, which she stroked his head lovingly, staring so adoringly at her. Then turned his attention to Once-ler, reaching his paw toward his pocket. With a smirk, he reached in and handed the baby bar-ba-loot a marshmallow.

"He seems to like these," said Fiora. "What are they?"

"It's a marshmallow," he said. "A delicious snack from heaven."

"They are very sweet," she said. "Like the Truffula fruits. Not like anything I've ever had. What's it made of?"

"Just sugar," he said. "And it's comes from a plant."

Fiora was fascinated. "Tell me more about the human world Once-ler," she said, eager.

"What do you want to know? There's a lot of it."

"Mm...their customs. Like the knock on the door. What else is there?"

"There's lots of them. It would be easier if I showed you. Here's one that's used a lot in my world."

He held out his hand towards Fiora. She flinched, unsure.

"It's a hand. Not a snake," he laughed.

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Just give me your hand and I'll show you."

Tentatively, Fiora reached her hand towards his. He cupped it for a moment and turned it sideways; his thumb planted next to hers and his fingers wrapped around her palm. Then he moved it up and down. Oh! The shock at such a touch was so alien! Her arm was stiff at first, but relaxed. She felt the smoothness of his palm, the roughness on his fingertips. What a strange custom! Yet, she found it quite...pleasing.

"It's called a 'handshake'," he said. "It's how we say hello."

"Oh!" She stared curiously.

He felt her hand: it was so surprisingly smooth and soft, the bumps of the vines and the texture of the tiny leaves. He felt something slither and wrap around his wrist...a thin, green vine had sprouted from her hand.

"Sorry about that," she said, giggling, plucking it off gently. "This has never happened before."

"No, it's fine...a little scary though," he laughed, nervous.

Soon, he let go. He had to admit, he liked holding her hand. Even though it was a brief handshake.

"Does your magic always act this funny?" he asked.

"Well, so far...just...around you...sort of..." she beamed. "Not sure why though."

He chuckled a bit, smiling.

"One thing I don't get about humans is why is all your objects are so shiny. I've never seen so much of it. And seeing you do all that magic...with your guitar and...knitting."

"You know that I knit?" he said surprised.

"I saw you doing something with the Truffula tufts a few days ago. Lorax told me what it was. It's amazing!"

Once-ler blushed, flattered to hear this. At least someone didn't think him knitting was unmanly. And thought it was amazing! He might like having a friend like this.

"What other human magic do you know?" she asked.

"It's not all magic," he said. "Knitting and playing guitar is just a manual task that involves thinking and creating with your mind. But if you want to see some human magic, there is one...um...here."

He reached into his pocket and produced a small, shiny rectangle. He flicked it open in a metallic clink. Inside there was a square with holes and a black grooved circle. Once-ler rubbed his thumb against the circle, which clicked and spit tiny white specks until it produced a flickering orange-blue tongue. The sprite gasped and shrank back in terror.

"Wh-what is it?" she said, her voice quavering.

"It's called fire," he said, showing her.

Fiora came closer, staring at the thing called 'fire'. It was so small and beautiful. Never had she seen such a thing...the warmth and beauty were so inviting. She reached out towards it, entranced...

"Don't touch..." he warned.

Only too late! The sprite cried out in pain.

"It hurts," she whimpered, her voice sounded like a small child.

"Well, yea. Fire is dangerous. Let me see." He held her trembling hand and looked at the small burn, which was angry red. "It's not too bad. Wait here. I'll be back."

He got up for a moment and went inside his cottage, only to return with a cloth that bulged. He gently placed the cloth on Fiora's burn; there was a cold sensation. Ooh! It felt good on her wounded hand. It felt like water in the winter. It made her shiver a bit...like the strange box in Once-ler's home.

"Ice," Once-ler said.

"I don't like this fire," she admitted, painfully.

"Now you know not to touch it again, right?"

Fiora nodded. "Why do humans use this fire if it's dangerous?"

"You have to know how to use it properly. Sometimes dangerous things do good."

"I...don't understand."

"Well, fire, for example, is dangerous. But the good things about it are it keeps you warm, gives light, you can use it to cook food...it has many uses. I'll show you."

While he spent more time with Fiora, he showed her books of his world. She would stare at the pictures, leaning on her elbows in fascination. He told her the names of the objects in his home and their purpose. He showed her how to use somewhat of them. What objects were dangerous, especially sharp, hot or poisonous (a word that meant made a person sick) and she shouldn't touch them.

He introduced her to strange foods...one being called pancakes, a flat soft thing that tasted warm and delicious. Maple syrup: a very sweet amber liquid, that apparently came from trees in the human world. The yellow soft square was called butter. She definitely wasn't used to such foods since she always ate the Truffula fruits, but took quite a liking to them.

He taught her how to read, which she did with difficulty like a child. He showed her how to play the guitar, sitting behind her and guiding her fingers, his hands touching...smelling the floral scent of her. He smiled, enjoying that smell.

He showed her how to dance with music, which Fiora enjoyed very much. She was clumsy, stepping and tripping on his feet. But she slowly got it. It was quite...close being near Once-ler, gazing into his sky blue eyes. It felt a bit strange...on both their parts: Fiora had never been this close to a human man and Once-ler with a girl.

The Lorax laughed to himself as he watched the forest girl and her new teacher. Yet he saw something going on between them. How awkward and shy the two of them were: her pink hair and his cheeks, stammering and sweating. He kept an ever vigilant eye on the Beanpole to make sure he did nothing funny. Nature forbid he did something...