Maybe not so much as a punishment as...I don't know.

[The Once-ler stares at that rock. That stupid, haunting rock] I think he wanted to make me understand. Really understand what it was like for him. When whatever he did to try and save his forest was met with failure. [Another pause] How much it hurts to be betrayed by your best friend.

[It's rare he really talks about the Lorax to anyone, even Martel. But Sheena's different. She understands what it's like to have a spirit link itself into your life. It's an experience that's almost impossible to explain]