The Man Who Planted Trees

Lesson objectives

1. To raise students' awareness of the benefits forests bring to people, of causes of deforestation and of ways to protect forests.
2. To raise students’ awareness of causes of deforestation and ways to protect forests.
3. To inspire students to take an action in protecting the environment.

In this poetic animated film, we follow the story of the fictional character Élzeard Bouffier, a solitary shepherd living in the barren lands of the French Alps. One day, in the year 1910, a young traveller encounters him. Fascinated, he watches as the man plants one hundred acorns each day in the desolate plain, determined to bring life back to a place that seemed forever lost. The traveller cannot forget the selfless Élzeard, so he returns after ten years and discovers that a young forest is sprouting in what was once a dead landscape. The shepherd tirelessly and altruistically continues his work, which gives his life meaning. After many years, the area is reborn thanks to his efforts, and both animals and people come to inhabit it. The story illustrates how powerful the actions of a single individual can be when they persist in their devoted work.

 You can turn subtitles off or on for this video. 

 Tato lekce je k dispozici i v české verzi.