For every tree we take, we must plant five new ones. High in the Ethiopian highlands, Chief Mael makes a special rule for his village: for every tree taken, five must be planted in its place. Not everyone understands at first. The work is hard. The soil is dry. The children’s legs grow tired. But as the seasons turn, Chief Mael’s village grows greener – while a neighboring village that plants nothing watches its hillsides turn barren, its river choke with mud, and its water disappear. Through vivid watercolor illustrations and lyrical storytelling rooted in African oral traditions, The Chief’s Green Rule teaches children that caring for nature is caring for each other & that small hands planting seeds today grow mighty forests tomorrow.
