Upstart Magazine

UPSTART had the opportunity to ask The Lorax a couple of questions about the movie… Q: Why did you not stop the Once-ler before he chopped down the last tree? A: I can only speak for the trees. I can't stop people from doing what they choose to do. That's not how it works. Only the Once-ler could have stopped the Once-ler. That's the way things are. In life, you have to take responsibility for your actions. And unfortunately, the Once-ler didn't take responsibility until it was too late. Q: What was your first impression of the Once-ler? A: Well, my first impression was of a man cutting down a tree. I didn't notice much else. In case you haven't figured it out, cutting down a tree is NOT a way to make a good first impression with me. But once I talked to the Once-ler a little bit, I could see he was just a normal, skinny kid, a little jumpy and not so bright. Q: Did you know the Once-ler still had a truffula seed? A: I did know that he still had the truffula seed. But I also knew that only he could decide to plant it. I couldn't magically force the Once-ler to do anything. I could try to convince him, but ultimately he had to decide for himself. Q: Where you excited when the Once-ler gave Ted the last truffula seed? A: Yes! As Guardian of the trees, it was a chance for me to get back in my element. For the people of Thneedville, it was a ticket to a world they never knew. For me, that little seed was like a ticket home.

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