..from my daughter as I hope to be teaching her..I was pleasantly surprised by my second-grader's own independent composition and learned about the origins of gratitude for Thanksgiving..Remembered the story we learned growing up in India of the Parsi community coming to the shores of Gujarat and they were sent a glass full of milk to indicate how full the land was, and how they sent back the sweetened milk by mixing sugar in it..Two very different stories in different times and cultures, but something stuck upon me..
http://shivali-vora.weebly.com/first-thanksgiving.html
On September 16, 1620, the pilgrims left for the New World which is now America. They boarded on a tiny ship called the Mayflower. There were about 31 children and 70 men and women. They wanted to get to the New World. They knew the trip was very dangerous, but their belief in God kept them going. The tiny Mayflower was crowded with the pilgrims. They had little space and there was hardly enough room for the pilgrims to eat and sleep. Many had to leave their loved ones behind. The captain of the Mayflower was called, Christopher Jones. Christopher Jones had faith in his ship, and the pilgrims had faith in God. So they set off to find the New World.
There were about 102 people in all. They started their journey from Plymouth, England. They had to sail across the Atlantic Ocean to get to the New World. For the first few weeks, things went okay. But after the calm winds, a great storm arose. The pilgrims were horrified. They had to sleep on straw mats and they had little to eat. The great storms were fierce, and the tiny Mayflower helplessly sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. The children and adults became sea-sick, and they wondered if they would have to turn back to England. The Mayflower was broken a little, too. The pilgrims managed to fix that, but they were not sure they would make it. The fierce storms flung passengers over-board, and the waves defeated the tiny Mayflower. The people were sick, and they were very close to turning back.
But the pilgrims had faith in their ship and in God. They decided to risk their lives further in order to get to the New World. For 65 days the pilgrims sailed on with the fierce storms. They didn’t get a chance to wash their clothes, and they were running out of food. The pilgrims wondered if they would survive. Some people died, and many fell ill. The people missed England and their aunts, uncles, grandmothers, grandfathers, and friends. The pilgrims had little hope of sailing all the way to the New World. But they had come too far to turn back. The Mayflower sailed on. The people were trapped inside the Mayflower. They had to do something to keep the sails from ripping apart. If that happened, the people would die. When they were halfway, the people were already sick.
Finally, after two months of sailing through harsh winds, fierce storms, and huge waves, the pilgrims spotted land. The people rejoiced, happy to see land again. The date was November 21, 1620. The Mayflower landed in Province Town Harbor. At first, the pilgrims were relieved to wash their clothes, walk on land, and be out of the ship. But as the weeks flew by, the pilgrims had one problem after the other. They explored the wilderness, but they could not find a place to settle and build their houses. The explorers were first to be brave and look for native Indians who would help them. The explorers found some Indians, but they ran away. Without housing and food, the pilgrims had to stay trapped inside the Mayflower.
By the end of the first winter, many pilgrims had died. The pilgrims seemed to be losing one or two people every day. And besides that, many children and adults fell sick because of being trapped inside the ship for nearly 4 months. The people who were still alive and were not so sick had to work very hard all day. Finally, the first winter in the New World ended. The snow melted, and the trees showed their blossoms. Fresh flowers bloomed and showed their bright colors. The grass was green again, and the pilgrims were not so cold. But by this time, the pilgrims had no food at all. They were very hungry. One day, the pilgrims met an American Indian. He spoke good English.
The pilgrims were astonished. How could this American Indian know their language? The Native American said that in 2 days time, he would bring to them an Indian named Squanto. Squanto spoke better English. Some children asked, “What tribe did Squanto belong to?” The Indian American said that the land they are on is the land of a tribe called the Pawtuxet. Squanto belonged to the Pawtuxet tribe. “Then where are the people?” asked a pilgrim. “Everyone in the Pawtuxet tribe died about 4 years ago,” said the Native American. “But that one man named Squanto survived.” Saying this, the Native American left. But just as he had promised, in two days time he brought Squanto to the pilgrims. Not only were the pilgrims surprised by his great English, they were also surprised by his story.
Squanto said, “Many years ago I lived here with my family, my friends, and my people.” “But then one day, a group of cruel English men captured me and brought me to Spain.” “Later on I became the servant of a man who lived in England.” “He taught me English.” “After many days, I spoke very good English.” “Finally, I was given my freedom.” “I sailed back to this land, but when I came here I found that all my people except me had died.” “I was very sad.” “Later on I joined a group of Native Americans.” The pilgrims were astonished by Squanto’s story. The leader of the pilgrims and the leader of the Native Americans, Massasoit, signed a treaty of friendship.
Then the pilgrims explained to the Native Americans how their people were dying. “We are thinking to return to England this very month,” the pilgrims said. “Is there anything you can do to save our people?” The Indian Americans thought for some time and then Squanto said, “We can teach you how to plant crops and hunt animals in the wilderness.” “Very well, teach us then,” said the pilgrims. So, Squanto took the pilgrims to a stream and taught them how to catch fish. Then Squanto taught the pilgrims to lay the corn seeds, lay the fish around them, and how to patch back up the soil. Then the Native Americans taught the pilgrims how to plant other crops, and they hunted animals together. So throughout the spring, the Native Americans and the pilgrims planted crops and hunted wild animals.
Soon summer came, and there were no more deaths. The pilgrims and the Native Americans became very good friends. Squanto was always there, and Massasoit led the Native Americans to help the pilgrims. The children would chase the birds away from the crops while adults took care of the plants. They roasted meat and sprinkled it with salt, and the men got ready for harvest time. Summer soon turned into autumn, and the leaves falling off the trees were a sign for harvest time. Everyone cut, grounded, and topped. The crops were now ready to be picked.
Soon the food was all ready to eat. They even had enough food for the next winter. So the pilgrims prepared a big feast and invited the Native Americans to eat and celebrate with them. By this time they also had houses to feast in. Before celebrating, the pilgrims and Native Americans thanked God for all that he had given them. Then they feasted. As time went on, more Europeans came to America or, “The New World.” Soon the New World was called America and that is how we know it today. So remember, this Thanksgiving, before you have a great time, remember to pray and thank God for all the blessings, food, shelters, and clothing he has given us. Just like the pilgrims and Native Americans did at the First Thanksgiving.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
http://shivali-vora.weebly.com/first-thanksgiving.html
THE STORY OF THE SETTLERS AND THE NATIVES
AUTHOR: SHIVALI VORA
(Composed and typed by her and proof-read by her dad; based on “This is America Charlie Brown” episodes on YouTube and some Google searches)On September 16, 1620, the pilgrims left for the New World which is now America. They boarded on a tiny ship called the Mayflower. There were about 31 children and 70 men and women. They wanted to get to the New World. They knew the trip was very dangerous, but their belief in God kept them going. The tiny Mayflower was crowded with the pilgrims. They had little space and there was hardly enough room for the pilgrims to eat and sleep. Many had to leave their loved ones behind. The captain of the Mayflower was called, Christopher Jones. Christopher Jones had faith in his ship, and the pilgrims had faith in God. So they set off to find the New World.
There were about 102 people in all. They started their journey from Plymouth, England. They had to sail across the Atlantic Ocean to get to the New World. For the first few weeks, things went okay. But after the calm winds, a great storm arose. The pilgrims were horrified. They had to sleep on straw mats and they had little to eat. The great storms were fierce, and the tiny Mayflower helplessly sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. The children and adults became sea-sick, and they wondered if they would have to turn back to England. The Mayflower was broken a little, too. The pilgrims managed to fix that, but they were not sure they would make it. The fierce storms flung passengers over-board, and the waves defeated the tiny Mayflower. The people were sick, and they were very close to turning back.
But the pilgrims had faith in their ship and in God. They decided to risk their lives further in order to get to the New World. For 65 days the pilgrims sailed on with the fierce storms. They didn’t get a chance to wash their clothes, and they were running out of food. The pilgrims wondered if they would survive. Some people died, and many fell ill. The people missed England and their aunts, uncles, grandmothers, grandfathers, and friends. The pilgrims had little hope of sailing all the way to the New World. But they had come too far to turn back. The Mayflower sailed on. The people were trapped inside the Mayflower. They had to do something to keep the sails from ripping apart. If that happened, the people would die. When they were halfway, the people were already sick.
Finally, after two months of sailing through harsh winds, fierce storms, and huge waves, the pilgrims spotted land. The people rejoiced, happy to see land again. The date was November 21, 1620. The Mayflower landed in Province Town Harbor. At first, the pilgrims were relieved to wash their clothes, walk on land, and be out of the ship. But as the weeks flew by, the pilgrims had one problem after the other. They explored the wilderness, but they could not find a place to settle and build their houses. The explorers were first to be brave and look for native Indians who would help them. The explorers found some Indians, but they ran away. Without housing and food, the pilgrims had to stay trapped inside the Mayflower.
By the end of the first winter, many pilgrims had died. The pilgrims seemed to be losing one or two people every day. And besides that, many children and adults fell sick because of being trapped inside the ship for nearly 4 months. The people who were still alive and were not so sick had to work very hard all day. Finally, the first winter in the New World ended. The snow melted, and the trees showed their blossoms. Fresh flowers bloomed and showed their bright colors. The grass was green again, and the pilgrims were not so cold. But by this time, the pilgrims had no food at all. They were very hungry. One day, the pilgrims met an American Indian. He spoke good English.
The pilgrims were astonished. How could this American Indian know their language? The Native American said that in 2 days time, he would bring to them an Indian named Squanto. Squanto spoke better English. Some children asked, “What tribe did Squanto belong to?” The Indian American said that the land they are on is the land of a tribe called the Pawtuxet. Squanto belonged to the Pawtuxet tribe. “Then where are the people?” asked a pilgrim. “Everyone in the Pawtuxet tribe died about 4 years ago,” said the Native American. “But that one man named Squanto survived.” Saying this, the Native American left. But just as he had promised, in two days time he brought Squanto to the pilgrims. Not only were the pilgrims surprised by his great English, they were also surprised by his story.
Squanto said, “Many years ago I lived here with my family, my friends, and my people.” “But then one day, a group of cruel English men captured me and brought me to Spain.” “Later on I became the servant of a man who lived in England.” “He taught me English.” “After many days, I spoke very good English.” “Finally, I was given my freedom.” “I sailed back to this land, but when I came here I found that all my people except me had died.” “I was very sad.” “Later on I joined a group of Native Americans.” The pilgrims were astonished by Squanto’s story. The leader of the pilgrims and the leader of the Native Americans, Massasoit, signed a treaty of friendship.
Then the pilgrims explained to the Native Americans how their people were dying. “We are thinking to return to England this very month,” the pilgrims said. “Is there anything you can do to save our people?” The Indian Americans thought for some time and then Squanto said, “We can teach you how to plant crops and hunt animals in the wilderness.” “Very well, teach us then,” said the pilgrims. So, Squanto took the pilgrims to a stream and taught them how to catch fish. Then Squanto taught the pilgrims to lay the corn seeds, lay the fish around them, and how to patch back up the soil. Then the Native Americans taught the pilgrims how to plant other crops, and they hunted animals together. So throughout the spring, the Native Americans and the pilgrims planted crops and hunted wild animals.
Soon summer came, and there were no more deaths. The pilgrims and the Native Americans became very good friends. Squanto was always there, and Massasoit led the Native Americans to help the pilgrims. The children would chase the birds away from the crops while adults took care of the plants. They roasted meat and sprinkled it with salt, and the men got ready for harvest time. Summer soon turned into autumn, and the leaves falling off the trees were a sign for harvest time. Everyone cut, grounded, and topped. The crops were now ready to be picked.
Soon the food was all ready to eat. They even had enough food for the next winter. So the pilgrims prepared a big feast and invited the Native Americans to eat and celebrate with them. By this time they also had houses to feast in. Before celebrating, the pilgrims and Native Americans thanked God for all that he had given them. Then they feasted. As time went on, more Europeans came to America or, “The New World.” Soon the New World was called America and that is how we know it today. So remember, this Thanksgiving, before you have a great time, remember to pray and thank God for all the blessings, food, shelters, and clothing he has given us. Just like the pilgrims and Native Americans did at the First Thanksgiving.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
