The Thanksgiving Story

Most of us know of the Mayflower and the Speedwell starting for Virginia, from Southampton, England, in 1620. Before long, the Speedwell signaled that she had to turn back because of a leak. So the already crowded Mayflower took on more passengers before setting off across the Atlantic from Plymouth on her own. The expected landfall was the sunshine and warm weather of colonial Virginia. The passengers were Pilgrims, soldiers, craftsmen, servants, and adventurers. A great many of the passengers were children.

But after a harrowing ten weeks at sea, which included storms, almost inedible food, and even a baby's birth, the settlers found themselves much farther to the north, off the cold, wintry coast of Massachusetts. In spite of the season, what a relief it was to wash themselves and their clothes, and sit by a crackling fire on shore.

They quickly built a storehouse for their supplies, and a sickhouse for several passengers that were ill. Then they could work more carefully to build a house for each family. Although they had snug houses, it was a long winter and illness ravaged the colony of Plymouth, wiping out half of the population.

Slowly spring came

and the Mayflower sailed back to England, leaving the colonists who worked to plant their seeds. One spring morning, a tall Indian walked right into the village. He was Samoset. Later he brought Squanto, and later still, Massasoit. These men could speak English because of contact with previous colonists and in Squanto's case, even Europeans. Squanto, especially, helped them with planting methods for the unfamiliar land and climate, and even lived in Plymouth with the colonists for a time.

That fall, to thank God for all He had given them, the settlers held a feast and invited their Indian friends. Massasoit arrived with ninety Indians! But they brought deer they had killed in the forest to contribute to the feast, and the settlers and Indians, who had made a peace agreement, spent three days, feasting, talking, and sporting together.

This short history is perfect for a first introduction to the Mayflower's voyage in 1620 and the first Thanksgiving in the New World in 1621

Although it is almost impossible to convey the intricacies of this story in five short chapters, this is an admirable attempt. It is, of course, told from the settler's perspective, but there is not much conjecture about the thoughts or motivations of either the settlers or the Indians, except for the Pilgrims' reasons for leaving England. The relations between the two groups are laid out simply and factually, although the familiar, anglicized names are used for the Indians.

The author chose to use the three Hopkins children as narrators, thereby showing solidarity with her audience, and making the story particularly engaging for children. The woodcut-style illustrations are perfect for the text, giving it a kind of simple, primitive feel.

CONTENT CONSIDERATIONS

VIOLENCE: The colonists and Indians shoot at each other soon after the settlers make landfall, but there is no reference to casualties.

The colonists steal some seed corn out of “necessity” but intend to pay the Indians back.

SPIRITUAL: Several times, the Pilgrims kneel to thank God for taking care of them.

The minister prays before the Thanksgiving feast. The Indians also “gave thanks to their God.”

The settlers sing The Doxology during the Thanksgiving feast.