About the Author As a writer, Deborah Less Rose spends a lot of time rereading her favorite childhood stories. She believes in the power of words and thinks that a good story “can teach, surprise, entertain, convince, and even save a life.” She was particularly impressed by the young girl in the folktale The People Who Hugged the Trees , who grew up to lead her village in saving a forest. Ms. Rose’s retelling of this enchanting folktale was named to the Jane Addams Children’s Peace Book Award recommended list in 1990 and has also been translated into German.

Genre: Folktale Based on an actual incident nearly three centuries ago, this folktale from India tells the story of the first Chipko “Hug the Tree” people. Amrita, who lives in a rural village in India, has always loved and respected trees- and passes her love for them on to her own children. When the Maharajah’s axemen come to chop down the trees in a nearby forest, the villagers, led by Amrita, stand in their way by hugging the trees. The axemen return with the Maharajah, who orders obedience, but a fierce desert wind blows, forcing everyone to seek refuge-amongst the trees. The Maharajah sees the wisdom of Amrita and the villagers in protecting the trees that guard them from desert storms, shade them from the sun, and show them where to find water.

Theme: Nature Planet of Life Living in harmony with nature means not only being respectful of its gifts, such as trees, but also taking an active role in protecting those gifts.

Setting: India Rajasthan

Modern Images Anticipating the summer monsoon rains Taj Mahal

Thar Desert

Context Clues: Friendly Letter Dear Cally, The strong winds of the monsoon are blowing now. They will soon bring rain from the ocean. Many years ago during the rains, the town flooded and the school was lost. Many people gave their time and building materials to help rebuild the school. Their sacrifice is commemorated in songs and poems telling of their good deeds. The schoolchildren are now planning the restoration of the school park. They will plant new trees and shrubs for our children’s children to enjoy. The trees will be tall then, and the people will be happy for our conservation of this Land. I hope you are well. Your pen pal, Anala

Author’s Craft: Figurative Language On page 472, how does the author use of personification enhance the story?

Main Ideas and Details Read the first paragraph on page 473. In one sentence tell what Amrita is telling her children (this is the main idea).

Critical Thinking Questions What kind of person is Amrita? How do you know? Why do you think the axemen ignores Amrita’s pleas to spare the trees?

Strategic Reading On pages 470-477, who are the people who hug the trees? Are they who you thought they might be? Why do you think the villagers join Amrita in protecting the trees from the axemen?

Strategic Reading On pages 478-481, what happens to the people who hug the trees?

Characters STORY MAP Setting Problem Important Events Solution

Maharajah’s axemen and soldiers Characters STORY MAP Setting Amrita villagers, Maharajah, Maharajah’s axemen and soldiers India, a village at the edge of a desert Problem The Maharajah’s axemen want to chop down the forest for wood for a new fortress. Important Events Amrita hugs her tree but cannot save it. Other villagers hug trees in the forest. The Maharajah comes to force obedience. Solution The trees save everyone from a fierce sandstorm. The Maharajah declares protection from the trees.