Twelve-year-old Ted and his older adopted sister, Pippa, live in a place virtually devoid of nature; no flowers or trees grow in the town of Thneedville. Ted would very much like to win the heart of Audrey, the girl of his dreams, and Pippa wants to help him, but to do this, he must find that which she most desires: a Truffula tree. To get it, Ted and Pippa delve into the story of the Lorax, once the gruff guardian of the forest, and the Once-ler and his wife, Maddie, who let greed overtake their respect for nature, forcing them to give up their daughter for a better life.