History Plays for the Grammar Grades

<div class="pagenum"><!-- Page 13 --><SPAN name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</SPAN></div> <h2><SPAN name="PILGRIMS" id="PILGRIMS"></SPAN>PILGRIMS</h2> <h3>ACT I.</h3> <h3 class="h3left">INTRODUCTION:</h3> <p class="narr">The Pilgrims were persecuted for their religion in England. They went first to Holland. After a time they decided to come to America because they wanted their children to grow up in their own language and customs.</p> <p class="narr">They set sail for America in the Mayflower. They had a long and dangerous journey, but on November 20, 1620 they found themselves looking with glad hearts upon the sandy but heavily-wooded shores of Cape Cod. They signed an agreement as to the government of the Colony and elected John Carver their first Governor.</p> <p class="narr">Captain Standish was their captain. The first act will be Captain Miles Standish and his sixteen men returning from an exploring party.</p> <h3>ACT I.</h3> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Class</span>: The people on Mayflower.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">People</span>: Here come Miles Standish and his men! Welcome back to the Mayflower! What have you found, Standish?</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Standish</span>: We have tramped for three days through the forests, up and down hills along the coast but found no suitable place.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">First One of Men</span>: We found this. (Corn). We decided to take it up and later we will pay the Indians double.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Second Man</span>: While we were examining an Indian snare, Bradford (points to Bradford) found himself swinging by one leg in the air&mdash;(much laughter). We have found a new way to catch game.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Standish</span>: The second trip was no better but this time I think we have found a good place. I think it is the same place found by Capt. John Smith and named Plymouth by him.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Governor Carver</span>: I think this will be a good place to land. Shall we land here?</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">People Aboard Mayflower</span>: We will get ready to land.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">People</span>: It is God's will.</p> <h3>ACT II.</h3> <h3 class="h3left">INTRODUCTION:</h3> <p class="narr">The first winter for the Pilgrims was a hard one. Many of their people died. Among them Governor Carver. Miles Standish helped them in every way he could. He kept his army ready for any danger. The next act will be Samoset's visit to the Pilgrims.</p> <h3>ACT II.</h3> <p class="narr">Miles Standish and several pilgrims talking over military affairs.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Standish</span>: We must drill every day in order to be ready for danger.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bradford</span>: Yes we must keep up our careful watching.</p> <div class="pagenum"><!-- Page 14 --><SPAN name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</SPAN></div> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Brewster</span>: Look at that fine looking Indian coming toward us.</p> <p class="stage1">(All look toward Indian coming).</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Samoset</span>: Welcome! Welcome!</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Standish</span>: You talk English?</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Samoset</span>: Me talk little. Me good Injun.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Standish</span>: He looks like a good Indian.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Samoset</span>: Me bring more Injuns. (Enter).</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Squanto</span>: Welcome Englishmen!</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bradford</span>: You talk good English.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Squanto</span>: My name Squanto, I been to London. I show you many things. How plant corn, by putting dead fish in hill. How to hoe corn and how to make into meal. I show you to catch eel and how make Indian moccasins, canoes and lots of things.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Bradford</span>: We will be glad to learn all this Squanto. You are a good friend to us.</p> <h3>ACT III.</h3> <p class="narr">The next act will be the Pilgrims planning for the first Thanksgiving.</p> <p class="stage1">(Men and women talking.)</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">First Woman</span>: Our first summer is now over.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">First Man</span>: Yes, and we have a big harvest; our houses are repaired and the health of our people is good.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Second Woman</span>: After the hardships of our first winter and the blessings from God we have now, we should have a Thanksgiving.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">All Together</span>: Yes we should. The time for rejoicing has come.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Women</span>: We will have a great feast.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Men</span>: We will have games and military movements.</p> <p class="speaker"><span class="smcap">Man</span>: We will invite Massasoit and his warriors who have been so kind to us.</p> <hr class="major" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />