First Thanksgiving (1621)

Hello there. My name is Tisquantum, and I am a member of the Wampanoag people. A long time ago, my home was by the big, shining sea, where the waves would sing me a song every morning. One day, a very large wooden ship with big, white sails like puffy clouds appeared on the water. It was called the Mayflower. New people came off the boat. They were called the Pilgrims. They looked very cold, and their tummies looked very empty. My people and I watched from the safety of the tall trees as these new neighbors started to build a small village of wooden houses. We were curious about these new people and what they would do in our home.

My new neighbors did not know how to live in this new land. Their first winter was very hard, and I felt sad for them. I knew I could help. So, I went to their village and showed them how to plant corn. I taught them a special trick my people use, which was to put a little fish in the ground with each seed. This special trick helped the corn grow big and tall and yellow. I also took them into the forest and showed them which bushes had the sweetest, juiciest berries. We went to the bubbling streams, and I taught them how to catch the slippery, silver fish for their dinner. It made my heart feel warm and happy to teach my new friends how to find food. By the time autumn arrived in the year 1621, their gardens were full of wonderful food, and no one was hungry anymore.

The Pilgrims were so happy and thankful for all the food they had grown. To celebrate, they decided to have a big feast, a wonderful party. They invited my great leader, Chief Massasoit, and about ninety of my Wampanoag brothers and sisters to join them. Oh, the smells were so yummy. I could smell juicy roasted turkey and deer cooking over the fire. I saw bright yellow corn, big orange pumpkins, and shiny red berries all spread out on long tables. We all sat together, my people and the Pilgrims. We ate and we laughed and we shared stories. We were all friends, sharing a happy meal. Our wonderful feast lasted for three whole days.

That big party was about more than just yummy food. It was about being friends. It was about sharing what we had and being kind to one another. My life ended a long, long time ago, but the story of our feast lives on. It teaches everyone that being thankful for what you have and helping your friends is a wonderful way to live. This was the beautiful lesson of that very first Thanksgiving, a lesson of kindness that is still important for everyone today.