Gilgamesh, the Sumerian king of Uruk, threatens to cut down the sacred Cedar Forest and claim its wood for his people. First, he must kill the terrifying guardian of the forest, Humbaba. Can he do it? What will the gods think, and what will it mean for humanity? The story's message is central to John Perlin's republished book, A Forest Journey: The Role of Trees in the Fate of Civilization. Forests, and the wood they provide, have been crucial to human society since the beginning of recorded time, and now the fight against climate change. But what does history tell us about how we treat them? Guest John Perlin Historian, author of A Forest Journey: The Role of Trees in the Fate of Civilization Patagonia Books john-perlin.com Voice Dramatization Martha Douglas-Osmundson LinkedIn Consulting Editor David Still, II Special Thanks to: My father, David Still, for his advice and interpretation of The Epic of Gilgamesh All readings from the Epic of Gilgamesh translated by Andrew George. Music Diccon Lee, www.deeleetree.com Artwork Dahn Hiuni, www.dahnhiuni.com/home Website thisoldtree.show Follow on Facebook or Instagram We want to hear about the favorite tree in your life! To submit a 1-3 minute audio story for consideration for the "Tree Story Short” segment on This Old Tree, record the story on your phone’s voice memo app and email to: [email protected] This episode was written in part at the What Cheer Writers Club, Providence, RI https://whatcheerclub.spaces.nexudus.com/about