UNLESS

Have you read “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss?  Wish the story were just an imaginary children’s tale…. sadly it is absolutely the reality of our planet and society

The Lorax (1971)

I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.

UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better. It’s not.
“Mister!” he said with a sawdusty sneeze.
“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.
I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.
And I’m asking you, sir, at the top of my lungs” –
He was very upset as he shouted and puffed –
“What’s that THING you’ve made out of my Truffula tuft?”
I am the Lorax who speaks for the trees,
Which you seem to be chopping as fast as you please!
But I’m also in charge of the brown Bar-ba-loots,
Who played in the shade in their Bar-ba-loot suits,
And happily lived, eating Truffula fruits.
Now, thanks to your hacking my trees to the ground,
There’s not enough Truffula fruit to go ’round!
And my poor Bar-ba-loots are all getting the crummies
Because they have gas, and no food, in their tummies!
UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better. It’s not.
“So . . .
Catch!” calls the Once-ler.
He lets something fall.
“It’s a Truffula Seed.
It’s the last one of all!
You’re in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds.
And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.
Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.
Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.
Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.
Then the Lorax
and all of his friends
may come back.”
Now all that was left ‘neath the bad-smelling sky
was my big empty factory…
the Lorax…
and I.
The Lorax said nothing.
Just gave me a glance,
Just gave me a very sad, sad backward glance,
As he lifted himself by the seat of his pants.
And I’ll never forget the grim look on his face
When he heisted himself and took leave of this place,
Through a hole in the smog, without leaving a trace.
And all that the Lorax left here in this mess
Was a small pile of rocks with the one word:
UNLESS.
Whatever that meant . . . well, I just couldn’t guess.

source: wikiquote.org