Group #1
A group of women had been spending much time in preparation lately, stirring doughs to be baked, preparing meats and gravies, vegetables and desserts. As they prepared, they grumbled.
“We were doing perfectly fine and then someone had to stick their nose in and invite the Native Americans to our meal,” one said, and to emphasize her point, she angrily slammed the large wooden bowl onto the surface for better leverage for stirring
“Yes,” another joined. “It would be nice if it was just us settlers, but now the Native Americans have to horn in too. I don’t get it. Whose idea was this anyway?”
“And we know how to cook the way we like it,” said a third. “Why should we have to worry about eating things we don’t like just so as not to offend them?”
“And who knows what’s in their food,” said another. “For all we know, they may be trying to poison us. It’ll be a wonder if we don’t all get sick.”
“Then what would we do?” a lady across the room chimed in. “I suppose the Native Americans would give us some sort of concoction of theirs that would finish us off.”
“Do you think it’s too late to tell them we have decided we just want it to be for us Pilgrims? We can say anyone who made the journey across the ocean with us is welcome.”
“I don’t think that would work now,” said another lady. “We should have said that right in the very beginning. By now, both sides are working too hard for this. The dinner is tomorrow you know.”
“Well, it really makes me mad. I supposed we could just ignore them. That’ll let them know how we feel.”
Group #2
Across the woods, another group scurried around excitedly making preparations as the important day drew near.
White Eagle entered the large wooden building where many women; both Native Americans and Pilgrims were working side-by- side. He announced he had just shot three more turkeys for the feast.
There was an excited squeal from the women as one said, “Good. There will be even more to share.”
The other women helping with her agreed, greatly looking forward to the big gathering that had been planned as they happily stirred, kneaded bread dough, prepared and poured sweet fruits into pies.
Swirls of steam rose from large, black caldrons as the women prepared vegetables for the coming feast. Sweet potatoes and white potatoes were being peeled and dropped into boiling water. Other vegetables were being roasted in preparation.
At what was to be the site of the meal, both the Native American and Pilgrim men were setting up tables for the first meal together in thanks to God for delivering them safely to the new land, but also to the Native Americans for showing them how to grow corn and catch eel successfully, which gave them a bounty of food.
The Native Americans had been gracious and giving, as well as generous with their helpful information. The coming meal would be a way of expressing gratitude to God and to the Native Americans.
How each group enjoyed it and the meaning and blessing they took from it would depend on their attitude, just like everything else in life.
