The Man Who Planted Trees . . . by Jean Giono . . .

[OneBlueSky]

great story . . . via Metafilter . . .

In order for the character of a human being to reveal truly exceptional qualities, we must have the good fortune to observe its action over a long period of years. If this action is devoid of all selfishness, if the idea that directs it is one of unqualified generosity, if it is absolutely certain that it has not sought recompense anywhere, and if moreover it has left visible marks on the world, then we are unquestionably dealing with an unforgettable character.

http://home.infomaniak.ch/arboretum/Man_Tree.htm

[anitar1]

1. This is a wonderful story, Thanks for posting. n/t

[dxstone]

2. It might interest you to know...

That this story was made into an astounding 20-minute long animated film that, if memory serves, won (or was in the running for, at least) a short-film Oscar way back when I saw it some 15 years ago in one of those International Tournee of Animation anthologies, I think... the animation itself was incredible; it's as if someone continually worked a constantly wet surface of oil colors in order to get the most incredible effects...
I can't say more, except that the film was titled same as the story; what's really odd is, I was just telling my neice about this film one night ago... i hadn't thought of it for a long time, and I was just telling her how everyone should get a chance to see it; with a truly great story like this one, it would be difficult to do it badly in any form... but in this case particularly, they succeeded brilliantly; it's stunning and poetic and deeply soul-centering and absolutely unforgettable...
D

[Lisa]

4. it also won an Oscar in 1987 ...

Best Animated Short.

http://www.christopher-plummer.com/videoaudioclips.html

[illflem]

3. Good to see this story is now availible on the net

It wasn't just a couple of years ago. The copyrights of The Man Who Planted Trees, by Jean Giono, have unfortunately come under the control of a publisher who feels that if works are worth reading/using etc. they should be paid for.

It is sad that in this case it seems that greedy people have trumped Giono's desire to leave this wonderful story as a FREE gift to the world.

[dxstone]

5. yeah, sad irony alright... n/t

[Wilms]

6. Thanks for that. n/t