Moominktober/Inktober Day 16 Fowl/Game

The Imp carried Snufkin through the portal door

Ready for anything but for what was in store

He was high in the sky in many shades of blues

When the Imp entered the world called Seuss

Several Swomee Swans were soaring in that space

And some of them happened to smack that Imp in the face

With these fowls in his eyes, the Imp used his hands to make clear

And unknowingly dropped poor frighten Snufkin into the air!

The mumrik kit scrambled in the wind as he neared the ground

Until two passing Swomee Swans were sighted and found

He cried out for help and was soon caught in middle of air

They slowly flew down to the grass with caution and care

And so that day, the Swomee swans found a new game to play:

Helping out a scared mumrik and keeping the Imp at bay!

And Swomee Swans!

Let's go on an adventure!

The Swomee-swans took forever. So did the trees.

This is why we can't have things.

Truffula Fruit cocktail.

wow....that's a lot of animals i must say heh

And about the question...mhmm there were very cute animals now that I think about it-

The humming fish were fun, I could spend houuuurs singing silly songs with them, uhm the barbaloots!! were extremely cute, you know, they were so fluffy!!, the swomee swans had elegance, and they were very pretty birds to look at and!.... stop talking for a few seconds

although....i-i think i would also say that cats are my favorites, yes, cats.

Banned Book: The Lorax

Intro:  The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss, in 1971. It was banned in 1988, in Laytonville, California, because parents and teachers believed that the book would lead children to rise up against and dismantle the logging industry, which was a very large part of California’s economy at the time. Besides that, the book has only been criticized in small groups, for being seen as mystical or anti-capitalist.

Major Plot Points/Topics in Book: -Saving the environment -Deforestation -Capitalism

Brief Synopsis: The Lorax chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax, the main character, who "speaks for the trees" and confronts the Onceler, a business magnate who causes environmental destruction.

Trigger Warnings: -N/A

Long Summary: Told through Dr. Seuss’s customary mixture of rhyming verse, made-up words, and illustrations, The Lorax tells the tale of a forest-dwelling creature and the greedy developer who destroys his natural environment. The story opens on a dark night, with a young boy walking from his home on the edge of a dilapidated town towards “the Street of the Lifted Lorax.” The boy is curious about who or what the Lorax was and why the town is so rundown. He approaches the one person who can tell him more: “the Once-ler.”

The Once-ler is a strange, reclusive inventor who makes his own clothing and lives above a clothing shop. Although antisocial, the Once-ler can be persuaded to speak to people in rare circumstances, and the boy is hoping to hear his story. To help persuade him, the boy has brought fifteen cents, a nail, and a snail shell which he uses to bribe the Once-ler into lowering down a “whisper-ma-phone” and telling him his tale.

The story begins with the Once-ler arriving in the area and finding it beautiful and fertile, filled with colorful, fluffy “Truffula Trees” and wonderful creatures like “Humming-Fish,” “Swomee-Swans,” and “Brown Bar-ba-loots.” In fact, the area is so beautiful that the Once-ler decides to settle there. He chops down a Truffula Tree and builds a shop where he can sell “Thneeds,” a strange knitted invention that he believes will be incredibly popular. However, chopping down the tree had a consequence that he had not expected: it called up a strange creature called the Lorax who emerges from the tree’s stump.

The Lorax is quite old and hairy, and is orange-yellow in color with a giant bushy moustache. He is the guardian of the trees and explains that he speaks for them because they cannot speak themselves. In a high-pitched, bossy voice, the Lorax chastises the Once-ler for cutting down the Truffula Tree, calls him greedy, and warns him that there will be terrible consequences for his actions. However, the Once-ler is unconcerned by the Lorax and, instead of heeding the creature’s warnings, he calls up his family on a “radio-phone” and invites them to come join him.

The Once-ler’s family arrive and Thneed production grows rapidly. When they are not knitting Thneeds in the Once-ler’s new factory, they are chopping down Truffula trees for raw materials. However, even the whole family’s hard work cannot keep up with the demand for Thneeds so the Once-ler invents a “Super-Axe-Hacker” which can chop down trees on an industrial scale while pumping out smoke and fumes. The Thneed industry continues to grow and the Once-ler is happy to keep expanding and getting richer. However, this is starting to have a terrible impact on the environment and, a week later, the Lorax returns to try to intervene.

First, the Lorax points out that the Brown Bar-ba-loots, who once fed on the fruits of the Truffula trees are now starving and sickly. To prevent their deaths, the Lorax tells them to search for food elsewhere and they leave. The Once-ler is sorry to see them go but does not change his plans. Next, the Lorax, who is himself struggling to breath the polluted air, tells the Once-ler that the Swomee-Swans are leaving because the toxic air is making them sick and preventing them from singing. Finally, the Lorax shows the Once-ler that his factory has polluted the pond where the Humming Fish live. This has gummed up the fishes’ gills so that they can no longer hum and are forced to leave the water and walk away from their home.

Despite witnessing the terrible consequences occurring around him, the Once-ler still insists that he meant no harm and is entitled to keep “biggering” his operations and earnings. However, as he lays out his plans, the last of the Truffula Trees is chopped down and things quickly fall apart for the Once-ler. With no more Truffula Trees he can make no more Thneeds so the factory closes down and his family leaves. When the Lorax also carries himself sadly away, the Once-ler is left alone in the devastation and destruction and terrible pollution. The only thing left to him is a message left by the Lorax: the word “UNLESS” carved into a stone.

The story returns to the present and the Once-ler explains to the curious boy that he has been trying to understand the message ever since the Lorax left. So far, he has been unsuccessful but now, with the arrival of the boy, he finally understands. He explains that “UNLESS” people care then unpleasant circumstance will not improve. He then drops down the last Truffula Tree seed and charges the boy with planting it and regrowing the forest so that the Lorax and the other creatures can return to their home.

The Lorax is generally considered to be a cautionary tale about environmental destruction and selfish greed. In this interpretation, the Lorax represents the environment and those who defend it while the Once-ler represents greedy corporations that are never satisfied with their profits and continue to expand and consume natural resources despite the terrible damage they do to the environment. Occasionally, this theme has proved controversial and critics have complained that it misrepresents the logging industry. However, the book is far more commonly received in a positive light as an engaging fable that carries an important message about sustainability and respecting nature conveyed in a manner that young children can understand and enjoy. It is regularly featured in polls of top children’s books and has been adapted into a 1972 television program, a 2012 movie, and a 2015 musical.

...I would like to hear the lorax and sewage treatment rants. pls? And the presentation on your favorite turtles and the science/philosophy puns

*insert puppy dog or kitty cat eyes here*

~😺

Oh you sweet sweet anon... you have no idea what you just got yourself into...

WELL I MEAN IF YOU INSIST-

Whatever length you're expecting it to be, its longer SO:

Okay SO- The Lorax:

There are two different Lorax movies. One is from 1972, the other is from 2012. The one from 1972 is only 25 minutes long! And you can watch it here.

The 1972 Lorax is much much darker than the 2012 one. And the main difference between the two is the Once-ler. The Once-ler is supposed to represent companies, and company greed. In the 1972 one, the Once-ler is faceless. He is simply two arms (and sometimes two legs) with green gloves. He's not supposed to be any one person, he's supposed to represent the company. In the 2012 one, the Once-ler does have a face. In fact, he has a whole backstory and everything! This was supposedly so that kids could connect to the Once-ler. They were supposed to see the Once-ler as a real person, and therefore a real threat instead of some boogy man shrouded in the dark. However, 2012 ended up messing up the Once-ler, and therefore the original message of the Lorax.

(MAJOR SPOILERS IM DESCRIBING THE WHOLE MOVIE WHOOPS)

The 1972 Once-ler appeared in the world quickly, and immediately set up shop. He started producing thneeds quickly, and made sales immediately. When the Lorax challenged him, he replied, "It's only one tree." He called in his family so he could have more manpower and make more Thneeds. He began mass producing Thneeds, and more and more trees were cut down. You can see how trash begins to accumulate and the air gets darker and darker, there are more and more stumps littering the area. He orders roads to be paved and the town grows. He expands his empire and starts selling Once-ler cones and burgers. He was making a lot of money. The environment got worse and worse until finally the Lorax (who had been pleading with him to stop this entire time) said that he would have to send the Brown Bar-ba-loots away because they were starving without the fruits from the Truffula trees. You can actually see two of the Bar-ba-loots carry another between them because they are so hungry. THIS is when the Once-ler first shows any signs of empathy. He wonders if he is bad, if he should stop. He has a literal conversation with himself, before reasoning it away and yoinking down a blind decorated to look like a blue sky over the window showing a destroyed environment. He keeps going, until the Lorax appears to tell him that he must send the Swomee Swans away because the now toxic air was making them very very sick. The Once-ler reasons away concerns again. Finally the Lorax appears to tell the Once-ler that he is sending away the Humming Fish, because they water is too toxic for them. Finally the Once-ler is like... maybe I should stop. He agrees to stop only for someone to call and say, "Hey! Sales are up!" And he's immediately like "FUCK THE ENVIRONMENT, FUCK THE LORAX AND FUCK THE TRUFFULA TREES LETS GOOOOOOO" (I'm paraphrasing). Only then the last tree is cut down and production stops. The Lorax is disappointed and leaves, leaving only the "Unless" circle. Blah blah blah time passes. You see that the city is absolutely destroyed. Everything is wrecked. Some kid comes along and the Once-ler gives him a seed and is like... "maybe ur the unless. Since I majorly suck u know?" THE END! :)

THE 2012 LORAX HOWEVER- THAT SHIT IS DIFFERENT.

In the 2012 Lorax the Once-ler appears and is like!!! Omg!! Nature! Hello bears!!! :) Have marshmallows!!!!!!! He chops down a tree. The Lorax appears and is like, "Don't do thaaaaat :((" and long story short he agrees to not chop down the trees. Then his family swoops in and is like haha ITS US >:) WE R GONNA EMOTIONALLY ABUSE U NOW UNTIL U CUT DOWN TREES YOU IDIOT >:)))))))

...

So he does. And then his company grows and grows and grows. He has the whole "How bad can I be?" song (which absolutely fucking slaps by the way). In which, he basically sings about how he has no idea what he's doing. It's somewhat similar to the 1972 Once-ler's little self talks, but instead of knowing what he's doing is bad and then choosing money over it, 2012 Once-ler doesn't fully realize that he's doing harm. He's being pushed by his family, he is just very swept up in the gaining money bit. He also doesn't look back at the damage he's caused. He comes off as a naive lil entrepreneur who didn't realize the harm he was causing until it was too late, and the last tree had been chopped down.

Overall, instead of the "Corporates do not have the public's best interest at heart and we need to regulate them" message that the 1972's Lorax had, the 2012 Lorax had the message, "Corporates aren't baaadd.... they just... they don't realize they are doing harm :("

AND THEN (yes there's more)- YOU HAVE THE LEGEND HIMSELF- O'HARE!!!!!! He's tiny. He's evil. He is absolutely unrealistic. O'Hare ALSO represents the corporate. But in the wroooong way. O'Hare is unrealistic, and so I don't associate companies with him in the same way I do the 1972 Once-ler. He takes the attention away from the 2012 Once-ler as well. And he's just a strange dude.

Also in 2012 there is no reason for saving the earth. When I watch the 1972 Lorax I leave thinking, "Hey! Corporates need to be regulated and if we don't we are gonna be in real trouble. Very sick and with terrible air quality and toxic water. In 2012 the people live there just fine. Sure, there's smog, (and I do actually like how O'Hare mentions actively making the environment worse to increase demand for his air) but the people there are healthy and happy. They just decide to save the earth because uhhhhh well... who knows! Because they look pretty? Because they dislike O'Hare? Because they wanted to get a tree for their crush?

I'll stop there... but ITS VERY INTERESTING OKAY A LOT OF THE MESSAGES GOT DILUTED IN THE 2012 MOVIE.

--------

Now as for sewage plants heh heh heh hehhhhh

THERE ARE 4 STAGES!!! (AND SOMETIMES MORE BUT I WON'T GO INTO THAT)

They are: preliminary, primary, secondary and tertiary!

I won't discuss them all because this post is already so so soooo long... BUT I WILL DISCUSS MY FAV MWAHHAHAHA

Primary treatment!!! <3

So you get that raw sewage and you screen it, you get out all the big stuff in there like baby wipes, and large pieces of plastic. The post-screening sewage then moves into a comminutor. It slices up that raw sewage and sends it off to the grit chamber. The grit chamber sloooows down that sewage and then lets grit and such settle and get removed/funneled out.

Finally that sewage goes to the primary clarifier (my love <3) its basically a large tank, and the sewage just... sits there. All the heavy stuff sinks to the ground, and some stuff can rise to the top. They scrape all the stuff off the top and take the stuff out the bottom. That sewage sludge (poop and such) goes to treatment and disposal. What's left is (mostly) water and it is cleaned further in the other stages!

Sometimes when I am in a car I pass by the big primary clarifiers and I'm like!!! LOOK!!! PRIMARY TREATMENT!!!! ... and people think I'm insane... (tho people who know me are used to it lol).

I also used to go to a middle school where they was a sewage plant right next to us and they did Primary treatment and lemme tell you- it smelled AWFUL. SO BAD. I did get to see the primary clarifiers tho!!! Because my school did a tour there... for some reason... I didn't appreciate it at the time haha. But now I think its cool!!! :)

This ask is getting too long... so I'll stop now but I mean... feel free to send me another ask about my fav turtles or pun t shirts hehe <3

Representing Ecological Crises in Children’s Media: An Analysis of The Lorax and Wall-E - Page Bookmarks

'In children’s media, anthropomorphism is commonly used to engender a sense of sympathy with animal characters.' - pg 691

'The Lorax does this by ascribing human facial expressions and emotions to the animals living in the Truffala tree forest – the Brown Bar-ba-loots, Swomee-Swans, and Hum- ming-Fish. When these forest dwelling creatures are forced to flee their homes, the audience is encouraged to identify with their plight.' - pg 691

'In contrast, the 2012 adaptation of The Lorax frames the classic Dr. Seuss story as an individualised narrative of personal agency, rather than as a critique of the system that condemned the citizens of Thneedville to live in a barren wasteland.' - pg 692

'The book effectively conveyed the deleterious impacts of economic activity on the natural world through an innovative use of color'. (Wolfe, 2008). - pg 692

'The Truffala forest is full of vibrant color, but as the Once-ler scales up his industrial operations, the pages of the book change to more muted colors. In this way, the landscape is malleable, allowing Dr. Seuss to represent ecological impacts that might otherwise be too slow to observe in the physical world. And though the film adaptation acknowledges the impacts of the Once-ler’s operations on the surrounding environment, it does not deliver a full and reasonable depiction of the implications of unrestrained economic activity on the landscape.' - pg 692

'Anthropomorphism is likewise a fundamental element of Wall-E, but in this case, it is technology rather than nature that is personified.' - pg 691

'In truth, the technology of Wall-E exhibits more humanity than the actual humans, creating an emotional tie between audiences and technology. Wall-E’s anthropocentrism is also evidenced by the film’s failure to represent humanity’s impact on other species, focusing instead on the relationship between humans and technology.' - pg 691

'Ultimately, Wall-E fails to contend with the larger implications of technological development under capitalism.' - pg 691

While Wall-E deserves credit for its provocative illustration of ecological crisis resulting from unrestrained economic activity, the film nevertheless falls flat in its representation of the relationship between humans, economic activity, technological development and the natural world. - pg 692

'In this sense, The Lorax and Wall-E are essentially the same story – unrestrained economic activity resulting in the ruination of the natural world, resolved through a technologically mediated replenishment and renewal of natural resources.' - pg 694

Time Travel-ler

Oncest fanfic !! 

//Anal Sex, Time Travelling, Grinding, Lorax included with batteries

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48131983

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Just 2 days ago,

The Once-ler, no, The GREED-LER, was losing Truffula trees and had been losing stocks left to put on sale.

The money is not increasing any further, the employees are resigning, Customers are complaining for more, and the greed-ler is getting anxious.

“No no no… This can’t be happening...”, Pacing back and forth in his office, what the fuck am I gonna do!?

As he tries to find ways to solve this, he thought about finding the lorax for some questioning in how the hell is he going to fix everything!?

He searched for the lorax through the dark foggy mist once was charming and lively now polluted, he found the lorax sitting on a tree stump gathered around with barbaloot bears, humming fish, swans, and swomees.

The lorax felt a tall presence that he knew would come begging for help, “So how’s the business?”, jokingly mocked, the greed-lers cheeks burn tries to stand straight and keep his act dominating as he may seem.

“Well... COUGH not been quite good... BUT with a deal with you⎯“, stopped by the lorax “Alright get with it, you need my help?”, The lorax waiting for an answer from the person whom pride was broken down.

“I desperately need your help okay!?”, “I, the lorax, speaks for the trees⎯”, “OKAY OKAY, quit with the quotes I have a deal because I know you won’t help me without one!”

“Help you how to grow back truffula trees so your ‘business’ booms back? What is it in my part?”, The lorax speeding up his voice to skip forward the so-called business proposal.

“As I know you’re the ‘protector’ of this whole land, your um... the only one I could ask... you know... how to fix this problem...”, The green clads voice fading in to whisper in defeat. “But no worries I got one, SO, YOU will help ME with giving the TREES a fresh START and a piece of land will be mine, the rest is yours AND the animals.”, making his voice loud at every certain word to make sure the little orange dude gets the point.

“And by how am I supposed to help you by giving the precious trees a fresh start?”, The lorax questioned.

“I DON’T KNOW? Your powers?? Didn’t you say you popped out by thunder and a bunch of swirling gray clouds blah blah lightning?”,

“I’m a protector, not a creator.”, The lorax is not sure if was talking to a clueless person or just completely stupid, “If you really want a fresh living of nature then you need truffula seeds, from a full-term Truffula tree which the land you turned into a wasteful rubbish doesn’t seem to be having much anymore.”,The lorax sighed.

The green clad feeling remorse, he opened up his conscious, he’s right., looking at the surroundings he ruined.

“What can I do then!? Do you know anything else how to get it back?”,

“Have you heard of Time traveling?”

…

The Greed-ler dumbfounded, what.

“Well if you don’t want to do it then ⎯”,

“WAIT WAIT, I’LL DO IT.”, “however, just how do you think will it be possible… ARE YOU CRAZY!?”, Greed-ler was now doubting the lorax could no more be a helpful hand to his dilemma.

“Do you want it or not?”,

The greed-ler gritting his teeth. He had no choice but to go whatever the lorax’s plan is.

“Yes...”, he murmured.

..

“WHAT THE FUCK!?”,

-If you wanna read more: here’s the full story! :D https://archiveofourown.org/works/48131983

Will there be another Dawn?

A sunrise for the Swomee Swan?

Exit, exit, swomee swan

Going, going, going...GONE

Jealousy: A Lorax Fanfic

By JJ

Summary: Melvin is jealous that the Onceler is spending so much time with Pipsqueak.

Melvin just sat near the wagon, watching his human hold Pipsqueak like a newborn baby, and cooing at him like one too. Not that he would ever admit it, but Melvin was jealous.

Ever since the Onceler made a promise not to chop down anymore trees, he's been spending so much time with the hummungfish, Swomee Swans, and barbaloots, especially Pipsqueak. It's not like he despised the little guy, but he just didn't like that his human was paying more attention to him than Melvin.

Sure, it kind of made sense since Pipsqueak was a tiny little cub, but it still felt kind of unfair.

He remembered the good old days when it was just them two. He still remembered the day they first met. The Onceler's father had bought him from a farm far away from their house, and was gifted to the young boy for his 6th birthday, and they clicked instantly.

The Onceler came back to the house to get something, when he saw Melvin sulking near the wagon, and he got a little worried.

"Hey, Melvin. What's wrong? Why're you being such a sad sack?"

Melvin turned away, almost as if he was still angry at his human for being away from him for so long.

"Melvin, what's wrong?"

Melvin still wouldn't answer, he just turned away again.

The Onceler kept trying to come face to face with his mule, and each time, he kept turning away. It wasn't until they were both tired and flopped down to the ground when they were finally face to face.

"Well, we're making eye contact now. So what's up?"

Melvin pointed his head to Pipsqueak, who was now curled up into a ball and sleeping peacefully. When he did that, the Onceler finally understood what was going on.

"Melvin, are you jealous of Pipsqueak?"

The mule nodded his head, shamefully looking down. The Onceler scooted closer to Melvin and wrapped his arms around his friend.

"Melvin, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to neglect you. Pipsqueak's just so darn cute and I get a little crazy around cute things, but that doesn't mean I forgot about you. And I promise, no matter what happens, and no matter who I spend my time with, you'll always be my best friend!"

He squeezed Melvin in a tight hug, and Melvin was happy to have his human back. Maybe now, he could give Pipsqueak a little break.

Moominktober/Inktober Day 19 Ponytail/Fishing

With the goal made clear, the new found friends made their way

Towards where another strange event that took place that day

Some Swomee Swans caught something strange out of the sky

A Snufkin and they grew to like him as the hours passed by

They gave him a fishing bucket and braided his hair in ponytails

While Snufkin entertained the two with stories of his traveling tales

After a while did the traveling Moomins and others finally see

Their very own Snufkin safe up in Swomee Swan’s tree

Moomintroll was filled up with joy and relief at the sight of his love

And thus ran towards the nest where Snufkin rested above

Snufkin also spotted them, and his happy heart nearly burst

Not seeing the shadow that was about to make everything worse

Here's a bunch of drawings from while I've been sick.

(another fic, this isn’t rp-related, it’s just for fun/to show off what happens to rec when he’s sleep-deprived. also bc the lorax is fun to write)

“Please explain to me how not getting a more comfortable chair and givin’ yourself a lifetime of back problems is ‘protecting the forest.’”

Rec groans from where he’s feverishly writing notes at his desk. “Moustache, I’ve explained this to you a million times—”

“Oh, I know. I just brought an audience along this time.” The Lorax deadpans as small group of swomee swans and barb-a-loots shuffle their way into the doorway of Rec’s bedroom.

“It’s not rocket science, Meatboy.”

The Lorax quirks an eyebrow at Rec bungling his nickname. Meatboy?

“It always starts with ‘oh, I need a bigger chair’, then— no, wait.. it’s ‘office, chair, desk, staff’..” He mumbles, almost asking the Lorax what comes next in that sequence before remembering that the forest guardian has never heard the song upon which he’s modeling his logic. “Never mind. But that’s how they get you! It starts with the chair!” Rec shouts, whirling around in his chair and pointing furiously at Bill, prompting one of the swans to protectively tuck him under its wing. Even so, the cygnet’s seemingly-permanent smile does not leave his beak. “And then the..” Rec’s eyes start to drift closed, but he shakes himself back awake. “Then the next thing you know, you’re the CEO of the top factory in the country, selling.. I dunno, jams, thneeds, drugs, experimental fuels, paper.. Some other stuff I’m forgetting too, but it all comes from the trees!”

“Where do the trees come into this again?”

Rec freezes, mortified. “Oh my gosh, I forgot to say the part where I cut down the trees.” He slumps face-down onto his desk with an audible (and painful-sounding) thump. “What kinda Once-ler am I?!” He asks, anguished.

Bill quacks cheerfully in response to Rec’s antics, because of course he does.

“I mean, I don’t wanna brag, but I’m a pretty okay Once-ler.” Rec mutters, his attitude performing a 180 as he mumbles into the polished wood of his desk. “Even if I wasn’t, I couldn’t pull off green anyway.”

“When’s the last time ya slept?” The Lorax asks, approaching Rec to talk to him as a friend and not an authority figure.. or drag him to bed if necessary.

“Slept..” Rec muses, as if it’s some long-forgotten concept. “I’ve been doing my recommended amount of blinking. Does that count?” He asks, pinching himself through his glove to keep himself from drifting off again.

“Alright, that’s it, you’re comin’ to bed—” The Lorax shakes his head, pulling Rec’s chair away from his desk and beckoning the animals to come closer; Rec couldn’t put up much of a fight even if he was rested, but the Lorax just wants him in bed and asleep as soon as possible.

“You’re not my mom, Moustache!” Rec protests, stumbling out of his chair to try and walk away. “I know when I need to—” he topples over like he’s made of wet noodles as soon as he stands up, hitting the floor hard and making no move to get up again.

Alarmed, the Lorax carefully checks him over and prepares to ask if he’s hurt himself.. only to sigh in relief once Rec starts (loudly) snoring. “Yeah, the kid’s fine.” He whispers reassuringly to the still-concerned onlooking animals before grabbing Rec by his shirt collar and dragging him away from his desk and toward the direction of his bed.