The big thing was the Indian, Squanto, who taught them how to plant well, so they could survive the winter. This sketch is about that gathering, and each character in the script was an actual person who attended the feast that day. This is also a scene in the play, “A Nation Of Ordinary People.”
5 males and 4 females. About 9 minutes.
Look for a package deal that includes this script under the Historical plays category.
Excerpt:
WILLIAM BRADFORD
Squanto! It is good to see you! I am so glad you came!
ELIZABETH HOPKINS
He is telling us the story of his life! It is fascinating!
WILLIAM BRADFORD
I doubt he will tell you about how much he has helped us. When we first settled here, we met Samoset and he spoke a little English, but he introduced us to Squanto, and he became our guide and interpreter and kept us on good terms with the natives in his tribe.
PRISCILLA MULLINS
After the way some of the English had treated you, how did you know we could be trusted?
SQUANTO
Because you people trusted me. I also saw that you were followers of Jesus. I felt at home.
WILLIAM BRADFORD
After our awful winter and so many deaths, Squanto came and taught us how to plant wisely. Our seeds would not grow in the soil, and he showed us how to plant fish with the seeds for fertilizer. He showed us where to catch fish, where to find the best berries and nuts and how to plant Indian corn. We have a grand harvest today because Squanto showed us how it is done. Now we can look forward to a better winter because we have provisions.
ELIZABETH HOPKINS
Didn’t he also teach us how to tap the maple trees to get syrup? And I know that there was much about the plants…the herbs. Some are very good for medicinal purposes, but some are poisonous. Now we know which.
SQUANTO
Miles Standish came to save me when I was attacked by Chief Corbitant and the Pocasset Tribe. So, you see…you have been good to me, also.
WILLIAM BRADFORD
We became friends, and so we helped each other. I don’t know how we could have survived this year without you, Squanto. By the way, where are the others? Samoset and the chief were supposed to bring their families.
SQUANTO
They are coming. Should be here very soon.
Giles Hopkins runs in very excited
GILES HOPKINS
Mother! Come quickly! The Indians are here! You should see them! There must be a hundred of them!
ELIZABETH HOPKINS
A hundred?!
SQUANTO
Oh! Your son tells a falsehood!
ELIZABETH HOPKINS
Giles!
GILES HOPKINS
I didn’t count them, Mother.
SQUANTO
There are only 90.
ELIZABETH HOPKINS
ONLY 90?? Dear Lord! What are we going to do? We don’t have enough food!
WILLIAM BRADFORD
I thought they were only bringing family.
SQUANTO
They have big families. But not to worry. We have not come with empty hands. They bring 5 deer.
WILLIAM BRADFORD
Well! We have some cooking to do! Looks like we will have quite a feast after all.
SQUANTO
What has been prepared?
ELIZABETH HOPKINS
Well, I haven’t seen everything yet, but I know what the ladies were making. Myself, I made furmenty.
DESIRE MINTER
That’s a wheat pudding, isn’t it?
ELIZABETH HOPKINS
Yes. Mary Brewster is bringing pumpkin pudding and peas. We had a good crop of peas this year, as well as squash.
PRISCILLA MULLINS
I made pumpkin pudding, also.
ELIZABETH HOPKINS
I think there will be a lot of dried fruit…berries and cherries, plums and grapes. I believe Susanna Winslow was making something with beans…and Eleanor Billington was making some squash dishes.
WILLIAM BRADFORD
We did a lot of fishing, also. I know they caught cod and herring and lots of eel. I believe the good Lord has blessed us with plenty of good things for this magnificent feast with all of our friends!
ELIZABETH HOPKINS
We have so much to be thankful for!
SQUANTO
Perhaps this could be a feast of blessing before your God!
WILLIAM BRADFORD
He’s your God, too, Squanto! Actually, if we were to make this a holy day…I think we would dispense with the feasting and have a day of prayer and thanksgiving with fasting.
SQUANTO
We cannot fast today with all of this good food!
WILLIAM BRADFORD
Indeed not! But we can be grateful for His blessings on this bounty. We will have a time of prayer before we eat. If we can get 140 people together and keep them quiet. I guess I should be the one to do it. I will thank Him for blessing us with good crops and all these provisions… with His protection and good health…with Squanto! I will want to thank Him for sending you to us! And thank Him for all of our native friends…and for bringing us to this new world and getting through one year even though it was very hard and many died.
SQUANTO
Are all of those who died in heaven, Mr. Bradford?
WILLIAM BRADFORD
I trust so. We are a God fearing people, Squanto. But some choose not to believe. I am happy that you believe. Now, what can you tell me about cooking venison? Shall we get started?
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