Present Day-Years after Day of Destruction

The old man sat on the mattress and began to play the song, plucking the nearly rusted strings on his out-of-tuned guitar...he played his sales jingle in a mournful, bitter tune...

He looked at his guitar, wanting to smash it to pieces. Then, he thought of the song...that song he played. Her song. The flash of those green eyes. Plucking the strings, he sang in a broken, mournful voice, coughing between words, tears flooding...as he saw his memories...

He lost it completely when his guitar string snapped...in a rage, he grabbed the guitar by the neck and started smashing everything in sight until he was exhausted...then sobbed...holding his smashed guitar in his arms, rocking back and forth...

********

Fiora learned so much from Once-ler about the human world. Though it was strange, she liked learning more every day. He patiently answered her questions and allowed her to read his books while he was away trying to sell his Thneed.

Eventually, Fiora and Once-ler became friends as time went on. He also befriended the Lorax and the animals. Annoying as they were, still it was better than being alone...and with his awful family.

After another day of unsuccessfully selling his Thneed, he worked on another sales pitch, sitting on his bed, strumming his guitar and writing notes and lyrics. He looked outside. Something about the Truffula forest gave off an air that brought tranquility and mellowness: the aromatic air. The blue sky. The colors of the trees. This place was paradise. He needed a break from his work.

Upon exiting his cottage, he found Fiora sitting on the grass with Pipsqueak and a few bar-ba-loots. A baby swomee swan, Bill, rested on her shoulder, quacking adorably.

He smiled to himself. She always seemed to be surrounded by the woodland critters of the forest...and she didn't mind it at all. How carefree and optimistic.

"Hello, Once-ler," she said. "How was your day?"

"Oh...it was fine, I guess," he said a bit disappointed.

He flopped on the grass, sighing. His fedora tipped slightly on his head. The green girl looked at the young man, saw something stuck in his hair.

"What's that?" she said squinting.

"What?"

She reached towards his bangs; he flinched a bit. Fiora examined it: it was red, wet and it had seeds.

"What's this in your hair?" she asked.

Once-ler told her about what happened while in town trying to sell his Thneed. Fiora was shocked to find out that they had thrown tomatoes at him, which was a horrible human ritual of embarrassment in front of others.

"That's terrible," she said sad. "Why would humans be so cruel to their own kind?"

"Because that's just how they are." Once-ler answered uncomfortably. "Could we not talk about this?"

Fiora nodded. She didn't really like unpleasant things anyway.

"Don't be sad," she said. "Maybe you'll do better tomorrow. I'm sure you will."

Another smile spread on Once-ler's face as he heard the encouraging words from the ever positive girl. He liked that she always saw a silver lining in clouds. He unbuttoned his vest, rolled up his sleeves and untucked his shirt out of his pants. He lied down on the grass, looking up past the tops of the Truffula trees that provided a cool shade. They watched the clouds and saw them change into shapes. The both of them pointed them out, giggling. Eventually, Once-ler began to feel sleepy: the sweet aroma of butterfly milk blew in the warm breeze, the sky so blue and the grass felt soft beneath him, the coolness of the shade and the sun's warmth...his eyelashes fluttered and he drifted off...

Fiora saw that he was sleeping. Ah yes! She had days where the blissfulness of the Truffula forest had the same effect on her at times. Curiously, she picked up his grey fedora and tried it on herself, which was too big, falling over her eyes. Looking at the sleeping Once-ler, she giggled mischievously with her animal friends around, getting a funny idea...

Once-ler blinked his eyes awake after his nap, smelling a floral scent. He found himself...covered in flowers! A crown on his head, some in his raven hair, tucked behind his ears, a necklace, and his shirt. He sat up, annoyed...seeing Fiora in his hat, giggling at how ridiculous he looked. She looked cute in his hat even if it was too big on her.

"I'm gonna get you for this!" he said.

"Catch me first!" challenged Fiora with an impish smirk.

Then she took off running. His hat flew off her head as she ran fast as the wind. Good thing he was just as fast as her, being so tall and slender. Once-ler chased Fiora through the Truffula forest, bobbing and weaving through the trees. He tripped over his clumsy feet, hearing a startled scream along with his own, tumbled on the grass. Once-ler found himself on top of Fiora...the two of them stared at each other in silence. Her orange hair turned pink and she looked very scared and confused. Once-ler himself flushed. This was rather embarrassing.

"S-sorry. Are you hurt?" he stammered, looking at the girl beneath him.

"No," she said. "I'm fine."

The Lorax happened to be walking by when he saw the two youths entangled in some sort of embrace. And of course, Beanpole was on top of the green girl.

"For Nature's sake, do I have to keep an eye on TWO children?!" he grumbled as he stormed over towards them. "HEY!" he yelled sternly. "What did I tell you, Beanpole? I said no funny business!"

"Nothing happened!" he insisted, getting off of Fiora quickly and dusting himself off. "We were just..."

"It's my fault, Lorax," Fiora interrupted. "We were chasing each other and we just fell. No harm done."

Once-ler found himself laughing, recalling those same words she used when he found her in his bed. With a frown, Lorax decided he needed to give this Beanpole a piece of his mind. 

"Fiora, would you excuse us a moment?" the Lorax said. "I got a bone to pick with Beanpole: human to Lorax."

Fiora nodded, leaving the two of them alone. Once out of earshot, the Lorax grabbed Once-ler's ear, giving it a sharp tug.

"Ow!" he whined in pain. "Mustache, let go of me!"

The Lorax stood on a rock. Once-ler rubbed his sore ear with a frown.

"Alright, you listen here, mister," he said with slit eyes while pointing an orange fuzzy finger at him. "I know you and Fiora are getting close, but if you're having these funny feelings..."

"What?!" Once-ler exclaimed.

"Just shut up and listen. Fiora is completely innocent of human ways and she doesn't understand them. So whatever thoughts you have going on in that adolescent brain of yours, you better have some self control n and keep your little playmate in your grey pants."

Once-ler blinked a few times when he heard this, then flushed with a mingle of annoyance and embarrassment. Now he knew what the orange guardian was talking about. Of all the things he had to hear! As if he had to be constantly reminded about how he was going to keep an eye on him and other lectures and now THIS!

"I would never do that to Fiora! We're just friends!"

"Sure. That's what you always say. Just because Fiora is innocent doesn't mean you can take advantage of her. I will protect her if I have to."

"Trust me, Mustache. I have absolutely no intention of doing...that to Fiora. That's far from my mind."

"I want you to know that if you do care for Fiora, you'd better be a gentleman to her."

"I will," he assured.

"Glad to hear we're on the same page. Because if you hurt her, I'm gonna be a thorn in your side for the rest of your life."

As if you aren't already. Once-ler thought to himself with an eye roll.

He had to admit that though what Lorax had mentioned wasn't on his mind right now...he began to have feelings for Fiora. He really liked her.

*******

By nightfall, Once-ler set up a camp fire in front of his house, inviting Fiora and her friends to roast marshmallows. He showed her how to do it, which she was delighted to do so. She remembered not to touch the fire. It was a lesson well learned after the first time she encountered it. She burned the first marshmallow, which turned a bubbly black, but it as quite delicious and sticky! They laughed delightfully as she got white ooze all over her fingers. The Lorax munched on a s'mores, getting sticky crumbs in his mustache.

He looked at Fiora, so beautiful in the fire light. He felt feelings he never knew were there.

While sitting at the campfire, Once-ler played his guitar, singing songs from his human world, entertaining them. Fiora sat and listened to all these songs she had never heard before. Whenever she sang, it just came naturally to her. Once-ler was certainly talented with his singing and playing the guitar.

"What's it like living in the human world?" she asked, eating a roasted marshmallow, which stuck to her fingers.

How could Once-ler describe what it was like to Fiora? Then, a song came to his mind. A perfect way to describe the human world.

"Here's a song that will give you an idea," he said.

He plucked and stroked the strings, playing the tune. Then he strummed a toe-tapping rhythm and sang in a steady, nearly-monotonous voice.

Little boxes on a hillside

Little boxes made of ticky-tacky

Little boxes on a hillside

Little boxes all the same

There's a pink one, and a green one

And a blue one and a yellow one

Fiora listened to the words, picturing the human world. She could see little colorful houses dotting green hillsides, humans happy...it went on about how people went into the boxes, coming out all the same...becoming doctors, lawyers and business executives...how their children went to school, then university...then grew up, married and raised families, coming out all the same.

"Ooh!" she said. "I liked that song. I could actually could picture the human world like this."

"Maybe you could come see it some day," he suggested.

"Oh," Fiora said. She looked at the forest, a little bit afraid. "I don't know...would the humans like me?"

"I'm sure they might find you strange, but I think they would."

She ate more marshmallow off her fingers, looking at Once-ler. She was curious about this invention called a Thneed.

"What does your invention do anyway?" she asked.

Once-ler guessed she hadn't seen the demonstration. He showed her a few examples of what it could do. Fiora was amazed: a strange object that could be used as other objects! She touched it...it was so fuzzy! It was just like the tufts she slept under at her home tree, but warmer.

"What do you think of it?" he asked.

"To be honest, I don't like that you killed the tree to make this...but I must admit this is an interesting invention."

Once-ler beamed. Glad someone liked it for once!

"Would you ever use it, Fiora?" he asked.

The forest girl looked a bit unsure. "I really have no need for material possessions. But I guess it would be useful on cold nights in the forest."

Once-ler chuckled.

"So, what's your intention for this Thneed, Once-ler? I notice when you go into town, you come back with it, looking sad."

"Well...I want to sell this." Seeing the puzzled look from the forest sprite, he explained what it was. It involved trading something for money.

"What exactly IS money?" she asked curiously.

"Um...money is..." he reached into his pocket and produced a green piece of paper. "This."

She was very perplexed. "Hm...I don't get it. It just looks like a piece of paper to me."

"Well it is..." he admitted. "In my world, we use it to trade stuff with each other for things we need or want."

"Ah, I see. But why trade something for a piece of paper?"

Once-ler laughed a little. "Well, it doesn't seem fair if you take something and not give anything back, right?"

"Hmm. True," Fiora said. "So if you sold this Thneed, what would you do...if you actually...made this money?"

"Well...I would expand my business...that's something that you do like a job. Therefore, I would make more money from my business."

"Why would you want more money?" she wondered.

"Well, the more money you have, the better your life would be."

He bitterly thought of all the things he never had living with his family, even though his mother always bought something trendy...even though she knew damn well she couldn't afford it. How much he had to fight his brothers over food. How his clothes were always hand-me-downs from his idiot brothers; they were too big on him and they had holes: the shirts hung off his shoulders, his ass hung out of the back of the pants, his shoes were too big, nearly broken. The kids always laughed at him. He learned to make his own clothes: knitting, sewing, crocheting, etc. It was much better than getting his brothers' stuff.

"But why not just be happy with what you have?" Fiora asked.

"Well, humans often are never happy with what they have," he replied.

"It seems a bit selfish to me," she said, frowning.

"Mm...I suppose," he shrugged. "It's just the way we are. Some humans often want things because they never had them in them first place."

"I see," Fiora said. "Did you not have things you wanted?"

"Yea. I came from a poor family..." he said sad.

Fiora looked sympathetic. "I'm sorry to hear that, Once-ler."

He had to agree with Fiora a little about what she said before. There were people in his world who were selfish...like his family. Fiora certainly was happy with what she had. Maybe living here away from the human world would be better. He wouldn't need anything. Still, was he really going to give up on his dream?

He was unable to admit he failed...a word he heard so much back home. He began to realize that his dream of selling the greatest invention was getting crushed. That his family may be right.

"Haven't you ever wanted something more than anything in the world?" he asked.

"Mm I am content with what I have," she answered. Then paused to think. "There is one thing..."

Oh, this I got to hear! Once-ler thought amused.

"I do want another marshmallow," she said.

Laughing, he gladly obliged and roasted another. Fiora didn't feel comfortable roasting another one once she burned a few. He roasted it until it was a soft golden brown with a little bit of black. She ate it, smiling and covered in white melted stickiness.

She sipped some hot chocolate that was also a drink in the human world. She learned that chocolate came from trees as well! Fiora learned S'mores was a type of sweet sandwich that was made of chocolate, crackers, and melted marshmallow. She was so amazed and excited, anxious to try this new food.

"So, why is selling this Thneed important to you anyway, Once-ler?" she asked curiously.

"Well, it's always been my dream," he said, wiping some marshmallow off his mouth. "I've been wanting to do this for a very long time. I always wanted to make something everyone could use...make money...be successful..."

"So...if you do become successful, would you leave the forest?"

She looked sad. She didn't want Once-ler to leave because she liked having him here. Sure, she was content being in the forest and she was surrounded by animals who loved her. Yet, having him here made her feel happy.

"Mm...I dunno." He shrugged. He hadn't thought about what he would do after he expanded his business.

"Do you like it here?" she asked.

"Yea," he answered quietly, looking at the trees. "It's beautiful and quiet, I'll admit."

Fiora was pleased to hear this. Yet, surely in the human world, there had to be humans who loved him and cared about him. She saw a picture of a group of humans in his house while he made pancakes. An odd assortment of humans of all shapes and sizes.

"Do you...miss being with your humans?" she asked.

"Do you mean my family?" Once-ler said raising an eyebrow.

Fiora knew what a family was: hers consisted of the trees, Lorax and the animals.

"Yes. I saw a picture of them in your house and I wondered who they were."

"Mm..." he said with hesitance. "Sometimes."

"Do you think they would ever come here?"

"I doubt it," he said in a tone of bitterness.

"Do you think they would like me...if we ever met?"

Once-ler wasn't sure how to answer that question. He was pretty sure they would find her strange. They didn't like anything that was strange or unusual and treated it with disdain or mockery. Naturally, they relished at laughing at his dreams.

"I dunno," he said. Let's just hope you never do. He thought. "I don't think you would like them very much. They're...a bit rude."

"Oh, I see. That's a shame," she said sympathetic. "I'm glad that you're here, Once-ler. I do hope you will stay."

He felt his heart melt. Tears pricking his blue eyes and a smile spread across his face. Someone liked him for once.

"Really?" he said, his voice breaking a bit.

"Of course. I like having you here."

He looked at Fiora. A beautiful young woman...strange as she was...liked him. He could understand why the animals adored her after all. She was not only beautiful, but kind and loving...at times she could be annoying with all her questions, scary when she got angry, weird sometimes. He had to admit he had grown fond of her since they spent time together.

"Well, thank you," he said beaming. "I'd be happy to stay here."

Yet, could he stay here in the Truffula forest? What would he do for money? Food? He didn't even want to think about going home. Just being in the Truffula valley, surrounded by its blissfulness...it made him feel content. This was paradise. Maybe he'd just stay here in the valley and enjoy the isolation away from civilization for the rest of his life. Plus, he had friends who appreciated him more than in the human world.

While staring at the fire for a moment, Once-ler felt his feelings coming forth. He wanted to express how he felt towards this girl. He strummed his guitar. She looked over in his direction, listening to the sounds the strings made as he stroked the strings.

"There's a song I want to play for you, Fiora" he said shyly, his speckled cheeks flushing. "It sort of reminds me of you...but I changed the words a little bit."

"Oh?" Fiora said, intrigued. "I'd like to hear it, Once-ler."

He began to play his guitar, plucking the strings and playing the melody. He began to sing the words:

There was a girl

A very strange, enchanted girl

They say she wandered very far

Very far...o'er lands and seas

A little child, sad yet shy

But very kind was she

And then one day,

One magic day, I passed her way

And while we spoke of many things

Fools and kings

This she said to me...

The greatest thing you'll ever learn

Is just to love...and be loved...

In return

Fiora was touched by such words. "What a lovely song," she said, smiling.

"I'm glad you liked it, Fiora," he said, putting his guitar aside. "You know in the human world, when we sing songs—especially ones to a girl, it's our way of expressing how we feel towards her."

"Really?" she replied with interest.

"Oh yes. It's been done for centuries. In the olden days, there were these musicians hired to write songs and poems. Then, they would play them for the girl...the boy did it in hopes to win her heart."

"Sounds wonderful," she said. "Did it ever work?"

"Sometimes." He blushed again. "What do you think of the song, Fiora?"

"It was beautiful...it sort of reminded me of when we...well, had our first meeting in a way...and now..." Her pink hair appeared again. "About what you said before, Once-ler: that boys sung songs to girls...do you...like me?"

Once-ler couldn't help but smile. "Yes, Fiora. I like you...very much."

Her hair turned a deeper shade of pink. Once-ler guessed this was her way of blushing...he couldn't tell since her cheeks were green. Giggling to himself.

"You...can call me Oncie, if you want," he said softly; the blush spread on his face and rubbed his neck.

She smiled, repeating his nickname in a silvery bell voice. "Oncie."