Story Hour Readings: Seventh Year Part 11

2. What pleasant things about pioneer life does the author recall?

3. Imagine that you are a pioneer man or woman.

Tell what one day of your life is like.

_SPECIAL DAYS_

_There come days in the lives of men, of nations, of races, and in the life of civilization itself which are of such conspicuous importance that they are set apart from the ordinary run of days and the events they stand for are duly remembered each recurring year on the proper date. Birthdays, religious feast days, days of battle--many are the occasions commemorated. The value to us of such special days is in their observance--that we dedicate ourselves to the spirit they perpetuate._

[Ill.u.s.tration: WASHINGTON'S GREATEST BATTLE

(_See page 116_)]

COLUMBUS AND THE ECLIPSE

BY JAMES JOHONNOT

This incident is related to show, first, something of the character of Columbus, and, second, the superst.i.tions of the Indians. Read it to determine what the author wished to bring out about Columbus.

Was Columbus justified in deceiving the Indians?

When Columbus first landed upon the sh.o.r.es of the New World, and for a long time after, the natives thought that he had come down from heaven, and they were ready to do anything for this new friend. But at one place, where he stayed for some months, the chiefs 5 became jealous of him and tried to drive him away. It had been their custom to bring food for him and his companions every morning, but now the amount they brought was very small, and Columbus saw that he would soon be starved unless he could make a change. 10

Now Columbus knew that in a few days there was to be an eclipse of the sun; so he called the chiefs around him and told them that the Great Spirit was angry with them for not doing as they agreed in bringing him provisions, and that to show his anger, on such a day, he would cause the 15 sun to be darkened. The Indians listened, but they did not believe Columbus and there was a still greater falling off in the amount of the food sent in.

On the morning of the day set, the sun rose clear and bright, and the Indians shook their heads as they thought 20 how Columbus had tried to deceive them. Hour after hour pa.s.sed and still the sun was bright, and the Spanish began to fear that the Indians would attack them soon, as they seemed fully convinced that Columbus had deceived them. But at length a black shadow began to steal over the face of the sun. Little by little the light faded and darkness spread over the land. 5

The Indians saw that Columbus had told them the truth.

They saw that they had offended the Great Spirit and that he had sent a dreadful monster to swallow the sun. They could see the jaws of this horrible monster slowly closing to shut off their light forever. Frantic with fear, they filled 10 the air with cries and shrieks. Some fell prostrate before Columbus and entreated his help; some rushed off and soon returned laden with every kind of provisions they could lay their hands on. Columbus then retired to his tent and promised to save them if possible. About the time for the 15 eclipse to pa.s.s away, he came out and told them that the Great Spirit had pardoned them this time and he would soon drive away the monster from the sun; but they must never offend in that way again.

The Indians promised, and waited. As the sun began 20 to come out from the shadow their fears subsided, and when it shone clear once more, their joy knew no bounds.

They leaped, they danced, and they sang. They thought Columbus was a G.o.d, and while he remained on the island the Spaniards had all the provisions they needed. 25

--_Stories of Heroic Deeds._

FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION

BY GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1789

Now, therefore, I do recommend and a.s.sign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these states to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all 5 unite in the rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation--for the single and manifold mercies, and for the favorable interpellation of His providence, in the course and conclusion of 10 the late war.

1. This old doc.u.ment comes down to us with a fine message of inspiration from the past and from its great author. Explain the reference in line 8; in lines 10 and 11. Compare this proclamation with the President's proclamation for the current year.

THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION, 1905

BY THEODORE ROOSEVELT

When, nearly three centuries ago, the first settlers came to the country which has now become this great republic, they fronted not only hardship and privation, but terrible risk to their lives. In those grim years the custom grew of setting apart one day in each year for a 5 special service of thanksgiving to the Almighty for preserving the people through the changing seasons. The custom has now become national and hallowed by immemorial usage. We live in easier and more plentiful times than our forefathers, the men who with rugged strength faced the rugged days; and yet the dangers to national life are quite as great now as at any previous time 5 in our history. It is eminently fitting that once a year our people should set apart a day for praise and thanksgiving to the Giver of Good, and, at the same time that they express their thankfulness for the abundant mercies received, should manfully acknowledge their shortcomings 10 and pledge themselves solemnly and in good faith to strive to overcome them. During the past year we have been blessed with plentiful crops. Our business prosperity has been great. No other people has ever stood on as high a level of material well-being as ours now stands. We are 15 not threatened by foes from without. The foes from whom we should pray to be delivered are our own pa.s.sions, appet.i.tes, and follies; and against these there is always need that we should war.

Therefore, I now set apart Thursday, the thirtieth day 20 of this November, as a day of thanksgiving for the past and of prayer for the future, and on that day I ask that throughout the land the people gather in their homes and places of worship, and in rendering thanks unto the Most High for the manifold blessings of the past year, consecrate themselves 25 to a life of cleanliness, honor, and wisdom, so that this nation may do its allotted work on the earth in a manner worthy of those who founded it and of those who preserved it.

1. Keep a lookout for the current Thanksgiving Day proclamation of the President. Read it with those of Washington and Roosevelt, and contrast the three, as to style of writing and historical facts mentioned.

HARVEST SONG

BY JAMES MONTGOMERY

The G.o.d of harvest praise; In loud thanksgiving raise Hand, heart, and voice.

The valleys laugh and sing, Forests and mountains ring, 5 The plains their tribute bring, The streams rejoice.

Yes, bless His holy name, And joyous thanks proclaim Through all the earth. 10 To glory in your lot Is comely; but be not G.o.d's benefits forgot Amid your mirth.

The G.o.d of harvest praise; 15 Hands, hearts, and voices raise, With sweet accord.

From field to garner throng, Bearing your sheaves along, And in your harvest song 20 Bless ye the Lord.

1. Sing these three stanzas to the tune of _America_.

2. Explain lines 11-14; 18.

3. Search for a Thanksgiving story in current newspapers and magazines or in books. Read it and report on your story in cla.s.s.

THE CRATCHITS' CHRISTMAS

BY CHARLES d.i.c.kENS

Old Scrooge was a rich and grasping business man; Bob Cratchit was his underpaid and overworked clerk. On Christmas Eve three spirits in succession appeared to Scrooge: Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet-to-Come. The second showed him, with other visions, this Christmas feast in Cratchit's home. The lessons the spirits taught him so influenced Scrooge that he set out early next morning to spend a real Christmas; and he was a changed man ever after.