Thanksgiving Feast: The First American Holiday : A Play

"Thanksgiving Feast: The First American Holiday" is one of five books in the Holiday Play Series. Intended as a teacher/student learning tool, this scripted play is written for 9 major character roles, as well as many roles for extras. Synopsis of Play: November, 1620...Christopher Jones, Captain of the Mayflower, named this new land with a beautiful sheltered harbor. He called it Plymouth. More than 100 pilgrims started the journey from Plymouth, England. Half died before their settlement was built. When the pilgrims met their neighbors, the Wampanoag Indians, they were happy to learn the Indians were friendly. Two Indians, Samoset and Squanto, could speak English. They had learned from earlier explorers. Chief Massasoit was a loyal friend to the pilgrims. He sent messages to their little colony when there was danger of an attack from other warring tribes. Once, a Narraganset brave came into the pilgrim village with a rattlesnake skin wrapped around his arrows challenging the pilgrims to war. Governor Bradford, leader of the pilgrims, filled the skin with musket balls and sent it back to their chief. That was the end of the war threat. The pilgrims were not fishermen or hunters. Squanto taught them to hunt, fish and plant seeds. He and other friendly Indians saved the lives of the surviving pilgrims. In the fall of 1621, after the pilgrims harvested their food supply, they had a great feast of thanksgiving. Massasoit came with ninety Wampanoag Indians. They brought venison and wild turkey for the feast. The first American holiday was celebrated for three days with feasting and games.