Fiora felt...death...cold...the trees saw their lady dying...returning her to life. She gasped, blinked and found the animals and Lorax, standing over her, worried. She had an ache in her head, groaning.

"Are you alright, Fiora?" asked Lorax concerned, helping her up.

"Yes," she said, rubbing her head. "Is the human...?"

"He's fine."

"So, what happened?"

"Beanpole said he won't chop down any more trees. He promised."

"Really?" she said overjoyed.

"Yea. But I should make sure he upholds that promise."

She nodded in agreement. She bade her friends goodnight and headed towards her home tree in the center of the forest, curling up underneath the soft tufts of the Truffula trees. A good night sleep will do since reviving that human wore her out. She should thank him for changing his mind.

****

By early light, the sound of the humming-fish crowing like roosters rose over the treetops. Fiora stretched, feeling much refreshed. She stepped out of her home tree, climbing down and went to the human's house. Along the way to his house, she found a very strange thing just on the shore of the river and picked it up. It was wet, some kind of white cloth covered in red shapes that she had never seen before. This had to belong to the human. She should return it to him.

When she got to his house, she crept quietly through the window, seeing the human sleeping so peacefully. She stared at the bed. What was it like to sleep in it? Just by looking at the human's contented smile, it had to be as comfy as her home tree. She lifted the blanket and climbed in.

Oh! Indeed it was...but much warmer than her home tree! She closed her eyes and nestled her head on the soft rectangle the human rested his head on. Ooh! So cozy!

All the animals had seen Fiora climb through the window and decided to follow as well, making themselves comfy in the human's home. The Lorax was on his morning stroll. As he was enjoying the tranquility of the woods, he heard what sounded like two girls screaming and jogged towards it...

Soon, the sun rose up, shining through the stained glass window, warming the cottage. Once-ler felt so comfortable and warm. There was a scent of flowers filled his nose. How nice it was to wake up to something that smelled pleasant. He rolled over in his bed, blinking his sleepy eyes...only to find the green girl in his bed! Startled, he let out a loud, alarmed scream, waking her up...which made her bop him in the nose.

"OW!" Once-ler exclaimed, rubbing his nose painfully. "OK, what...are you doing...?" When he looked around, his face dropped in a frown. "Question: what are they doing here?"

He pointed around the room to find all the forest animals sprawled all over his cottage: the swomee-swans hung upside down or roosted in bowls, the fish in cups and glasses, the bar-ba-loots in drawers, cabinets, shelves, the floor, chairs and on his bed. Pipsqueak under a book, sucking his thumb.

"And follow up if I may," he said in a calm manner, then demanded angrily: "What are YOU doing in my bed?"

"Oh! Well..." Fiora said, her eyes sparkling with innocence. "I wanted to thank you for changing your mind about cutting down the trees, human. I appreciate it very much."

"Uh huh," Once-ler replied flatly. "And that made you climb into my bed?"

"Well, no." Then, she held up the spotted, wet cloth. "I found something of yours and wanted to return it..."

Once-ler immediately recognized the wet cloth that was held in the green girl's pinched fingers. His cheeks reddened with a mingle of embarrassment and anger.

"Hey!" he exclaimed, yanking it away. "That's my underwear! Where did...?"

"What's that?" she interjected curiously.

"Never mind," he said hurriedly, tucking the wet cloth away.

"Well, I wanted to return your...underwear..." she continued, repeating this new word she learned, sitting on her knees. "But when I got here, you were asleep."

While she explained herself, something wet dripped on his nose...looking up to find a snoring bar-ba-loot on his overhead lamp, drooling. A few more drops fell on him.

"Ew!" he groaned, wiping his nose in disgust. Then responded in annoyance to Fiora, "Exactly. And sleeping is the body's way of telling others to go away."

"Ah. I'm sorry, human. It's just that you looked so cozy...and this bed looked comfortable...and warm. It was quite cold outside. I fell asleep...no harm done."

"'No harm done'? 'No harm done'?!" he repeated angrily, curling his fingers into claws. Then pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Ohhkay! Well, I don't appreciate it when a girl just climbs into bed with me without asking. It's embarrassing."

Fiora looked puzzled; she had never heard this word before! "What does 'embarrassing' mean?"

"That's when you make someone feel very uncomfortable," Once-ler explained.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel...embarrassing," she said, slowly as she understood this new word.

"It's 'embarrassed'," he corrected.

Then, the girl started leaning towards him a bit, making him flinch.

"W-what are you doing?" he exclaimed.

She stared at the human, studying him intently. Just everything about this creature was interesting to her. She was able to see him better now that he didn't have that hat on like when they first met. He had light speckles on his cheeks like a swomee-swan's egg. The color of his tousled hair and his eyes. His round ears. His cute nose. His pouty lips.

Once-ler stared back at the strange girl on his bed, gawking at him like he was a specimen in the zoo. Really? First, he finds her in his bed...and now this! How much more awkward could it get?! This girl was weird!

"Uh...what are you staring at?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Your speckles...I like them," she said. "And your eyes...they're so blue...like the sky..."

"Er...thank you?" he said hesitant.

"And your hair...it's like a starless night," she resumed, reaching out to touch his locks, which made him twitch. "And your ears...I've never seen such things!" She just barely grazed one with her fingertips.

Clearly this girl had no concept of personal space...and it was getting more uncomfortable by the minute. Fiora's mossy eyes wandered to the bunnies on his pajamas; fascinated and bewildered, she poked one on his chest, making him flinch. Then she turned her attention to the buttons, giving him more pokes.

"I like these circles...what are they?" she asked.

"OK!" he said irritated, gently removing her hand. "Have you ever heard of a little something called personal space? You certainly didn't like it when I tried to look at your wound when we first met."

"Sorry," she said, looking down a bit as she played with a lock of hair. "It's just...I've never seen a human before. Ever since you came to the forest, you are fascinating."

"Well, I'm glad you find me interesting. But I don't like it when you poke and stare at me. It's rude."

"What's 'rude'?"

"It means you do something that another person doesn't like."

Fiora was beyond amazed. There were words the human said that she had never even heard before! Were there other words that he knew?

"I didn't mean to be...rude, human..."

"And could you stop calling me 'human'? I have a name, you know. It's Once-ler."

Fiora raised an eyebrow. "What kind of a name is that?"

Once-ler frowned grumpily. "Are you seriously going to make fun of my name?"

Another puzzled look from the forest girl. "Why would I do that?"

"You just asked me why my name is strange."

"It is strange...but I didn't know humans had names. I'm sorry if I was...rude...Once-ler..." she repeated these new words she had just learned.

"It's alright," he said stiffly.

"Also I'm really sorry for all the stuff we did to you to try to make you leave."

Once-ler had never been apologized to before...most of the time it was either cruel or someone wanted something from him. After that, they were meaningless. From the green girl, it sounded genuine and sincere, almost like a child who had hurt their best friend's feelings.

"It's OK," he said.

The Lorax got to Beanpole's house and what should he see...he and the green girl in bed together! Oh no! If he knew anything about humans, the males had funny thoughts, especially at Beanpole's age. He climbed in the window with effort.

"WHOA! Six inches apart, you two!" said Lorax, separating them with a push. Then pointed a scolding finger at Once-ler. "And no funny business from you, mister!"

"Tell that to the girl who climbed into my bed," Once-ler snapped.

"As for you, young lady!" scolded the Lorax. "No more climbing into bed with the human!"

"Very well," she said.

She stepped out of the bed gracefully and began to pirouette around the room, touching everything in sight with her fingertips, filled with curiosity like a child exploring a new place. Everything was so shiny! She asked Once-ler what everything was as she found a new object.

Great! thought Once-ler, irritated. Just what I need in the morning: a girl who asks over a million questions!

He was going to need a cup of coffee if he was going to get through the day, dealing with this inquisitive girl. He was about to reach for a mug when he found a fish bathing in it, gasping in revolted disbelief.

"OK, I put my lips on the...well, I used to anyway," he sighed in exasperation.

Then, a swomee-swan squawked and grunted...then stood up to reveal a freshly-laid egg in his bowl.

"Ew! Did you just...in my bowl?!" he exclaimed, recoiling in absolute disgust.

Fiora looked overjoyed at the sight of the egg, then stroked the bird's head so lovingly. The Lorax chuckled.

Once-ler collapsed on the floor, overwhelmed with all these intruders in his home: the floor covered in muddy tracks, his utensils being used by creatures...and a strange green girl who crawled into his bed and asked endless questions. She started greeting her animal friends, caressing fur, feather and scale. The humming-fish leaped up and kissed her cheek, the bar-ba-loots stared adoringly, and the swomee-swans nuzzled their heads against her, which were met with giggles. She was like Snow White or something. Soon, flowers popped up from between the cracks of the floorboards.

"Uh...what's with the flowers?" Once-ler asked.

"Oh, pardon me!" Fiora giggled as she looked at them. Her hair turned a shade of pink this time. "It's my magic. It's been acting a bit funny since I revived you."

The Lorax picked up Once-ler's toothbrush, laughed to himself as he used it to comb his mustache.

"Heh! Why do you have one of these?" he chuckled. "Y'don't even have a mustache."

Once-ler grimaced with a whine of revulsion at the yellow hairs stuck in the bristles of his toothbrush. He officially lost his patience.

"OK, that's it!" he said, holding up a hand.

"What? I thought we had a deal last night?" said Lorax, approaching the fridge.

"Yes, we did!" he responded, getting into Lorax's face with a pouty glare. "And I said I wouldn't chop down anymore trees."

"And I said I was going to keep an eye on you." He rubbed his fuzzy hands together. "I'm starving, what's for breakfast?"

He opened the fridge, to find the very fat bar-ba-loot, Lou, stuffing his face with sticks of butter...along with two more bar-ba-loots sleeping in there.

"Breakfast is overrated," Lorax chuckled with a shrug while Once-ler stared with wide eyes.

Fiora was transfixed by the fridge. She reached in and felt the cold air; the leaves on her vines crinkled a bit.

"Ooh!" she cooed. "How strange! It's winter inside a box! What is it?"

"OK!" said Once-ler to Fiora, closing the fridge and ignoring her question. "Could you kindly take your friends outside? I'd like to have some privacy." Sensing she was about to ask another question, he added, "And to save you time on questions, it means 'get out of my house and leave me alone.'"

"Why?"

Jeez! AGAIN with the questions! It was like talking to a child! Once-ler grunted, ready to explode, dragging his hands down his face. He was getting a headache.

"Alright, you know what?" he sighed. "I've got work to do."

With an impish grin, he just stripped out of his pajamas right there.

Just act like nothing's going on and hope they get the point. Once-ler thought to himself mischievously. Maybe it would scare them out.

The animals and the Lorax seemed to be shocked that he undressed so boldly. Fiora stood there, transfixed. Oh! What was the human doing? She stared at the human's features and physique: he was so pale...and slender with a little lean muscle. Drawing in a breath, her cheeks burned a bit and her green eyes wandered...her hair turned a tint of pink!

That was it! The Lorax was willing to put up with the human living in his forest, but disrobing in front of his pupil who was completely innocent! The very nerve! After finding her in bed with Beanpole, seeing the naked human drew the line!

"OK, young lady! Outside!" said the Lorax firmly, hastily pushing her towards the door. He had to climb a chair to reach the handle. "Go on now! Shoo! And no looking in!"

The Lorax slammed the door. He hoped Fiora wouldn't have any questions about what she just saw.

Once-ler pulled on his clothes, relieved that Fiora was FINALLY gone. He was embarrassed enough.

"Seriously, what is her deal?" he said to the Lorax. "Jeez! She acts like she's never been around people before!"

"She hasn't, Beanpole," Lorax replied. "She has no concept of human ways or customs. You just need to be patient with her."

"No kidding," he said flatly. Then he perked up, "Well, I gotta go into town to sell my Thneed." He held up his Thneed, smiling very proudly.

Lorax scoffed with a laugh. "You cut down one of my trees to make that piece of garbage?"

"It's not garbage!" Once-ler said. "It's a revolutionary product that will change the world as we know it. It has over a million uses. Look it's a swimsuit!" He began to demonstrate, grabbing Lou, the fat bar-ba-loot. Then, he spun the bar-ba-loot out of the swimsuit.

"Muddy tracks all over your floor from uninvited guests?" he continued, knelt on the floor, gesturing to the muddy tracks and Fiora's footprints. "Well the Thneed comes in handy for that." He whooped as he wiped up the mess.

"And thanks to its all-natural micro-fibers, it's super-absorbent," he continued, dipping it in a glass of water that a fish was in, which sucked up the water in a slurp.

"...and it can be worn as a hat." He finished, plopping it on an unimpressed Lorax's head. "Of course you should wring it out first."

"Go ahead, knock yourself out," said Lorax, tossing his wet invention back. "But just so you know, no one will ever buy that thing!"

"Good to know," he said sarcastically. "Well fortunately, you're not the target market, weirdo."

He wrapped his Thneed around his neck like a scarf and grabbed his guitar, opening the door, strumming the strings.

"You're bringing a guitar?" Lorax laughed.

"Oh, yea! I've got a little jingle. Gonna blow some minds," Once-ler said proudly with a defiant look. "Gotta sell some Thneeds."

Once outside, he found Fiora standing in front of Melvin, his mule, stroking his muzzle. Already, Melvin had taken a liking to the green girl.

"What a fine beast you have here," she said. "What is it?"

Once-ler sighed, but had to realize he needed to be patient. "It's a mule and his name is Melvin."

"Oh! He's...lovely! I sense he's a very hard worker."

Melvin looked sheepish as Fiora continued to stroke him lovingly.

"Yes, he is," Once-ler said as he slung over a sign over Melvin's back. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go into town, which is a forest filled with humans."

Fiora stared curiously at the fuzzy, pink object that Once-ler wore around his neck.

"What is that?" she asked, pointing to it.

"It's my invention..." he said with a cocky smirk. "The Thneed."

"What's an invention? Is it human magic? I didn't know they could do magic."

He laughed a little. The green girl was annoying, but at least she was starting to understand.

"Well, if that's how you put it, then yes. Something like that," he said.

She touched the Thneed curiously. She recalled seeing Once-ler using the Truffula tree's tufts to make such an item.

"So you killed one of the trees to make this?" she asked with a frown.

"Well...yes," he said. "I...look, I promised I wouldn't chop down any more trees."

"But, why would you commit such an cruel act against a tree to make this?"

"Well, the trees are just what I need to make it. It's the right material. Plus, my Thneed would make me money..."

"Money?"

AGAIN with all these damn questions! His head was about to explode.

"Jeez! Do you EVER stop with the questions? It's really annoying!" he shouted.

Fiora looked at the human as he said this new word with a very unpleasant look. Apparently she made him this way by asking questions.

"What does 'annoying' mean?" she said with a frown. "I certainly don't like this word...it sounds...unpleasant..."

Once-ler suddenly found himself laughing. "Well, yes...it is. It's a very unpleasant feeling..."

"Like...angry?" she said slowly as she understood this new word.

"Yes! Angry. Yes...you are making me angry."

"Oh," she said. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you angry."

She looked sad, which sort of reminded of himself when he heard his mother say how much of a disappointment he was.

"No, it's fine," he said calming himself down. "I'm sorry if I'm being...rude. It's just...you ask so many questions and I'd like to answer them, but you need to slow down a bit."

"Very well, Once-ler," she said. "I mean...I'd like to know more about your objects and your magic."

"Well, not today, Fiora. Maybe when I get back later...I'll be happy to show you some things."

She was excited to hear this. Just as he was about to go. "Just one last question...I promise."

Once-ler sighed. "Go ahead."

"I like your music tree," she said. "Where did you get it?"

"Music tree?" he said confused.

"Yes. That's what that is, right?" She pointed to his guitar.

Once-ler was amused. "It's called a guitar. It belonged to my father."

She mouthed the word slowly as she learned about the new object and was beyond fascinated.

Fiora wanted to ask more, but she refrained. She didn't want to anger the human. He was a curious thing...cruel at times when it came to the trees. But he promised he wouldn't chop down another tree. She hoped he would. She would like him to stay here and learn more about his world.