The Man Who Planted Trees

The Man Who Planted Trees (L’homme qui plantait des arbres), is an allegorical tale by French author Jean Giono, published in 1953. It tells the story of a lonely shepherd, Elzéard Bouffier, who over 3 decades singlehandedly re-forests a secluded and desolate valley in the foothills of the Alps near Provence throughout the first half of the 20th century. The tale is quite short—only about 4000 words long. (You can read it here.)

In 1987 it was adapted into a 30 minute animated film, directed by Frédéric Back, narrated by Christopher Plummer, and produced by Radio–Canada. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, as well as several other awards that year.

I saw the film first, and later found a beautiful hardcover edition with engravings by Michael McCurdy.

I found it a very inspiring story, the idea that one determined person can transform a landscape for the better. Given how much destruction mankind invariably wreaks, the thought of doing the exact opposite is heartening. The first time my family went out with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to plant acorns, I gave them the book to read aloud to one another in the car to inspire them.