The First Thanksgiving
Act I-The Village
Narrator
That first year in America had proved to be a difficult one. The pilgrims were in what seemed to be a constant struggle to meet even the necessities. That first bitter cold winter left the camp more dead than alive. Their hope of preaching the gospel to the natives would be futile if they never reached the new year. Despite their struggles, the Pilgrims persevered. Hope finally arrived when they were blessed with a bountiful harvest. Grateful for their excellent fortune Elder Brewster gathers the villagers around.
Elder Brewster
(Smiling brightly with his hands clasped together)
Everyone, everyone, settle down. Our Lord has more than blessed us. He has seen our suffering and helped us immensely. We have managed to grow enough food for this season and last us through the winter.
(Crowd breaks into cheers. Elder Brewster motions for them to quiet down.)
If I do say so myself, and I do, we have the Lord our God to thank for such good fortune. For it was he, and only he, who has helped us. He has kept us through the winter and protected us from those Indians, and now he has granted us more food than we could need.
Pilgrim
This calls for a celebration!
(Everyone cheers and breaks away to prepare.)
Narrator
The pilgrims were excited about the thought of a celebration. Everyone went their separate ways to begin to make preparations. A group of men gathered their gear and made their way down to the beach to forage for mussels while the women were busying themselves with preparing vegetables as they happily talked amongst themselves. Elder Faunce smiled as he watched the lively villagers.
He jumped at the sound of gunshots as he looked around in fear that the Indians were attacking. He clutched his chest and sighed with relief as he saw a group of men practicing with their muskets. Suddenly over the noise rose a woman's scream.
Pilgrim
It's those filthy Indians! Grab your guns, men!
Narrator
Out of the forest's shadows emerged Massasoit, the Wampanoags chief, along with 90 armed men. The pilgrim men rushed into formation as they stood across from them, guns were drawn. Women cried in fear as they held their children close.
Pilgrim
Keep your eyes peeled, men. I'm sure the savages planned this attack from the beginning.
(He called over his shoulder to the women)
Go inside and don't worry. We won't let these savages anywhere near you.
(The natives looked at each other confused. Massasoit steps forward slowly with his hands raised.)
Stay back!
Massasoit
Why are you pointing your guns at us?
Pilgrim
We are defending ourselves. You are the ones who came here armed.
Massasoit
We heard the gunshots and thought you were in trouble. We came to help.
Narrator
The pilgrim's brow furrowed in confusion. He lowered his gun slightly but kept it up as if he was unsure whether to believe him. Elder Brewster, overhearing the conversation, rushed over, clapping both men on the back.
Elder Brewster
Now, it seems as if this was all a big misunderstanding.
(He motions for the men to put down their weapons, and Massasoit does the same. The Pilgrim obeys but keeps it close to his side.)
You see, we were just having a bit of fun. A bit of target practice, if you will. The gunshots were merely the men practicing before they go on a bit of a hunt.
Massasoit
We will help on the hunt.
Pilgrim
We don't need any of your help. We're perfectly capable of handling it on our own.
Elder Brewster
Oh, come now, many hands make light work. Besides, I'm sure these beastly savages know all the right hunting spots. (Elder Brewster jokingly hits Massasoit in the arm. Massasoit stares at him for a moment before he turns to go back to his men.)
Make sure you take some men with you.
Act II-The Hunt
Narrator
The natives went off together to hunt for the celebration. While they were able to find animals, there was a disagreement over how they should be killed. The natives believed in respecting nature and all she had to offer. When they killed an animal, they said a prayer and word of thanks out of respect. The Pilgrims, however, would just shoot the animal from afar. This difference was causing strife between the two groups.
Native
Why do you pilgrims rely on your guns so much? Animals that you hunt should be respected. Not shot in the back as if they have done something wrong.
Pilgrim
In my eyes, animals are food, nothing more, nothing less. Their dying is necessary for my survival. That's just how it works. I don't have to respect anything that is beneath me.
Narrator
The Native and the Pilgrim exchanged glares. The pilgrim's remark did not go unnoticed. Some natives broke off from the group to continue hunting the way they knew to be right, leaving the pilgrims to their guns.
Massasoit
He was just suggesting another way to do things. You don't have to do it. That is your choice.
Pilgrim
You know, I'm getting tired of you savages suggested things. I'm a grown man, not a child that needs instruction. I don't want to hear about your sappy way of hunting. I don't want to hear about your phony baloney religion. I don't want to hear anything from you because there is nothing that you can teach me. (Massasoit shakes his head and, with the remaining natives, goes off to find the others).
Narrator
The thing was, the pilgrims did need the natives, and without them, they would not have survived that first winter. The Pilgrims did not know the land or where to hunt. They did not know anything about how to survive in America. Massasoit knew all of this, but he said nothing. He knew that the pilgrims had forgotten his acts of kindness and help. He knew, and yet he restrained himself. He still held on to the idea of peace with the pilgrims.
Act III-The Treaty
Narrator
People cheered as they saw the bounty that the men had returned with. On their shoulders, they carried bucks, deer, and geese. The men who returned from the beach were carrying overflowing buckets of mussels. The smell of food was in the air as the children helped their mothers cook. Once everything was done, Elder Brewster stood on top of Plymouth Rock and called everyone over. Gathered in a circle around him, everyone sat down to listen.
Elder Brewster
My children and friends. Today is a special day of sorts, one where we are full of thanksgiving and hope for the future. I know it has been a challenging year, and we have lost so many. (He draws a cross over his chest). But like warriors, we have risen from the ashes and into this glorious day.
Over a year now, we set foot on this rock that I stand upon today, a rock symbolizing a people who sought freedom and spread the gospel of our lord and savior. We made our way across those stormy waters and unto this beautiful shore, where we have fought tooth and nail to survive. Now, I know we have our differences with the savages. However, it would be a lie to say that we have done this on our own. While it was our God who helped us, we cannot ignore the part they have played, and for that, we would like to say thank you.
(Massasoit nodded his head in acknowledgment. Elder Brewster called him to stand on Plymouth rock with him as well)
Massasoit
Thank you, Elder Brewster. We sincerely appreciate your gratitude. I just wanted to say a few words. I know coming here in a land you do not know with people you do not know was a significant change for you all. Change is as different as we are from each other. But, we cannot let change lead to fear. We have our differences, yes, many. However, I believe that if we can learn to accept our differences, we can have lasting peace.
(crowd claps in agreement)
Narrator
Moved by the display of Christianity that Massasoit showed, Elder Brewster drew up a peace treaty. The two chiefs signed, despite some disagreement by a few pilgrims. The two tribes cheered and began to feast. Feelings of comradery rode high, causing the natives to stay with the pilgrims for three days. Peace was finally achieved. However, it would only last 40 years.
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