Monday, September 29, 2008

Elzéard Bouffier’s Generosity of Spirit: An Inspiration to All Individuals Who Plant Trees

The Carmel-by-the-Sea WATCHDOG! highly recommends reading the short story "The Man Who Planted Trees" (1953) by Jean Giono and/or viewing the short film “The Man Who Planted Trees” (1987) by Frédéric Back, Winner of the Academy Award for Animated Short Film.

Short Animated Film:
THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES (1987)
(L'HOMME QUI PLANTAIT DES ARBRES)

Narrated by Christopher Plummer
Duration: 30 minutes 07 seconds

Short Story:
"The Man Who Planted Trees" (1987) By Jean Giono
Pages: 8

About the Author:
Jean Giono later wrote an American admirer of the tale that his purpose in creating Bouffier "was to make people love the tree, or more precisely, to make them love planting trees."

Credit:
Upon the recommendation of Greg D’Ambrosio, former City Forester of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Greg D'Ambrosio worked for our city for thirty-three years, including twelve years as city forester, responsible for managing the city's forestry, parks and beach programs, and twenty-three years serving in a wide range of administrative leadership roles.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This film should be required viewing for all CBTS residents, Forest & Beach Commissioners and Councilmen and women. The message of this simple film is missing in Carmel at present. We seem to be so busy pursuing our own lives we forget about the seemingly simple or little things that can make such a big difference to all of us. We need more of these men who selflessly think of something beyond themselves and the here and now and actually do something not exclusively for themselves but for others with an eye to the future. If residents and city employees had such an ethic, we would no longer have a declining forest in Carmel and we could take justifiable pride in the perpetuation of Carmel's unique signature trees and forest for now and generations to come.

Anonymous said...

This book is a treasure of inspiration and the woodcuts are beautifully rendered.