Thomas sits on a log and throws a candy wrapper on the ground. His sister scolds him and reminds him “Grandma always says to be kind to the earth and show respect.” Thomas ignores her. Thomas likes to tell far-fetched stories that he has done amazing things, but his friends know he’s lying. One day, one of his friends tells him to prove it. His friend challenges him to spend a night in the forest alone with only a backpack. The over-confident Thomas goes into the forest and makes a lean-to shelter. After he goes to sleep the trees, angry that he had broken branches and threw litter around, pulled up their roots and danced around in circles so he wouldn’t be able to find the path when he woke up. It started raining and Thomas tries to hike out realizes he is lost and must spend another night in the forest. He has to forage for food and remembers his grandmother’s words. When he finally leaves he has learned to be respectful of the forest.
This lovely story is written by an indigenous Inuk woman from Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. It encourages children to respect the earth and be kind to all creatures, including the trees in the forest.
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