'FernGully: The Last Rainforest'
MPAA G
Starring the voices of: Tim Curry, Samantha Mathis, Christian Slater, Jonathan Ward, Robin Williams
By Rev. Robin Blair

Menu Plan | Discussion Questions | Scripture Resources | Crossword Puzzle

Can a movie about fairies fighting to save their home forest teach us about rainforests, and saving the planet? We think so.

The story: Fairies live with great joy in the lush rainforest of FernGully. Crysta is the adventuresome one who flies above the canopy and discovers that human loggers are getting ready to cut down the trees in FernGully.

Crysta meets Zak,one of the loggers, and when she accidentally shrinks him to her size, he joins forces with the residents of FernGully to save their beloved home from destruction.

Parents will want to know that pollution and deforestation are represented as humans threaten all that lives under the canopy of a beautiful rainforest.

This animated film features the voices of Tim Curry, Christian Slater, Robin Williams, Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong and Tone-Loc.

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Menu plan

Many of the foods and flavors we enjoy, including ginger, allspice, pepper, cinnamon, coconut, vanilla, coco, turmeric and paprika, can be found growing in the rainforest. Foods like fruit, rice and manioc (cassava or yuca) also thrive in these hot, wet climates. Fish is also a food staple if you live near one of the rivers or lakes that populate a rainforest.

No time to cook? Substitute where you can and just leave out what you don’t’ have time to prepare.

• Tacos De Pescado (Baja Style Fish Taco) (vegetarians may fill tortillas with rice and beans)
  
• Manioc (cassava) fries (this tuber can be found in the produce section of your grocery store)
• Vanilla Bean pudding
(top with sliced bananas and chopped macadamia nuts) This pudding is made with vanilla bean and you may want to make it the day before. If not, use your favorite vanilla pudding recipe.
• Hot (or cold) chocolate with cinnamon

Remember - with clean hands and a cheerful spirit, the children can be a big help in the kitchen in the preparation of any meal for your family time together. For this meal try inviting them to:

• Wash and peel fruit and/or greens for salad, cut into pieces
• Set the table or ready the trays (if you are eating in front of the TV)
• Write out a blessing before the meal

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Watching a movie as a family provides an opportunity to draw our children into a discussion of spiritual themes in a fun, relaxed way. "The Incredibles" offers a chance to discuss the themes of: family, love and accepting each other for who we are.

The following questions are meant to stimulate discussion. You may find that one question is enough to enable your family to discuss the spiritual themes of this movie. If you would like to think about the questions over time; print this list for reference.

Discussion Questions (for after the movie (as everyone helps clean up the dinner):

1. Did you ever think that many of the flavors you enjoy are made from seeds and plants grown far away from your apartment or home?
2. The rainforest is a special place and the planet needs them for clean air, special spices and medicines, a place for people and animals to live. If a big truck came to tear down your home, how would that make you feel?
3. If you would like to know more about rainforests and making them strong, safe and clean, go to: http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org/programs/rainforest.htm.
4. If you think that the world around you could use your help in staying strong and clean, what can your family do that helps to protect the planet?
5. Do you recycle cans and bottles or just throw them out in the trash? If you recycle them, good for you! You are helping to make the planet cleaner, safer and stronger.
6. Crysta wanted to show Zak the beauty of her world. Have you ever shown anyone how beautiful the park near to you is? Or a beautiful area in your neighborhood or town?
7. Did you ever talk to a tree and tell it how pleased you were to rest under its shade? Have you ever planted a tree?
8. Why did Magi Lune tell Crysta not to fly over the canopy? Have you ever disobeyed your parents and found trouble?
9. When the living creatures of Fern Gully needed to help save their world, they gathered together to help one another. Have you ever been able to gather together to help a person or cause that you thought needed help? Why or why not?
10. Do you think your family could help to make the planet cleaner, safer and stronger? How could you do that together?

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Scripture Resources
Scripture: Stewardship of the planet

In the scripture quotations below, God is declared the Creator. If one serves God in life, through faith, are we not obliged or invited to honor God's creation? Caring for the planet and its resources is part of caring for God's creation.

Judaism
Exodus 20:11
For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Christianity
John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Islam
Ha Mim Al-Sajdah 41:10
For He [it is who, after creating the earth,] placed firm mountains on it, [towering] above its surface, and bestowed [so many] blessings on it, and equitably apportioned [9] its means of subsistence to all who would seek it: [and all this He created] in four aeons.

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