Lorax One-Shot: Music

"Oi, Once-Ler!"

Once-Ler looked up from his book; Ted stood in front of him, and as always, Once-Ler was momentarily shocked at how much like himself Ted looked. At age sixteen, he was as tall and gangly as Once-Ler had been. His hair and light dusting of freckles also furthered the similarities. The guitar helped, too.

"I learned a new song. Wanna hear it?"

"Sure, sure!" Once-Ler scooted over on the couch to give Ted room to sit. The younger man sat down, and after a warm-up chord or two, began. 

"Grammy burned the biscuits;

Nearly took the house down with it.

Now she's in assisted livin',

We all knew that day would come…"

Once-Ler went numb; he knew this song. His mom had been fond of singing it, back when his dad was with them. He knew it, yet this version…. Was something different about this one?

Ted had stopped playing. Once-Ler shook his head, partly to try to clear his thoughts.

"No, no, play on! That's… that's really good."

Ted took up where he'd left off.

"It's like her mind just quit.

Oh, but bring up grandpa. It's like someone flipped a switch…

Truffula trees, and naps in the shade, 

Marshmallows, and pink lemonade:

You can see it all happenin'.

A handsome boy in pinstriped green.

A tear on his face. Down on a knee.

Shaky voice. An emerald ring.

She'll put you where she's been.

Tomorrow, she won't remember who she used to know,

But just ask her about the man named Once-Ler. Fifty years ago."

Once-Ler stared at Ted. His grandson didn't look up, eyes fixed on his fingers. His expression was unreadable.

"She takes out a tent stake,

A smooth stone from the lake.

Recipe for berry pancakes,

Mementos from days long gone.

We started losin' her when she lost him,

But to hear her carry on you'd swear she's seventeen again…

Barbaloots, and storytellin', 

Business plans, and Thneeds a' sellin'… 

Now, there's tears there on her face.

Sleepless nights, and secret fears. 

Saying goodbye for the next three years.

Her bright eyes go sad and dim

When she talks about that place.

Tomorrow, she won't remember things she used to know,

But just ask her about Truffula Valley. Forty years ago…

While the world is fading all around her,

Plate of pancakes waits for her on the counter.

She's goin' on and on about 

That he's right there right now.

Tomorrow she won't remember Mom, or even me…

But just ask her about Truffula Valley…

Before he took the trees."

As the song ended, something tickled Once-Ler's cheek. He reached up to brush it away; his fingers came away wet. Ted turned to face him; Once-Ler was shocked to see that he, too, was crying. But he didn't look sad, or angry, even, just… hurt. He'd always said he didn't blame Once-Ler for what he'd done to the trees, for leaving his, their family behind. He'd always said it could have happened to anyone. But Once-Ler knew he hadn't sung about just anyone... 

Without a word, Once-Ler reached over and hugged his grandson. After a moment's hesitation, Ted returned the embrace.