| Quote #1 And, under the trees, I saw Brown Bar-ba-loots |
What kid can resist the Bar-ba-loots? They are the cutest of the cute—there are illustrations to prove it. Appreciating them (and wanting to squeeze and pet them) prepares us to have compassion for them when things go south.
| Quote #2 So I quickly invented my Super-Axe-Hacker |
Ouch! The violent imagery here helps boost compassion for the Truffula Trees. And if you think about it, the trees seem to have the least power of anyone in the story. The Bar-ba-loots, Humming Fish, and Swommee Swans can at least get out of town—the trees are stuck.
| Quote #3 I, the Once-ler, felt sad |
How can the Once-ler feel compassion but not act on it? We'll let you explain that one.