A Holiday Story for a Hallmark Day

After the three trailers that I went to go see yesterday, the theater kindly showed a movie called “A New World” by the always poetic Terrence Malick. While I am quite aware that everything we know about Pocahontus and John Smith, is legendary due to the limited documentation, I am quite certain that the actual truth about what transpired is indeed stranger than any fiction we might imagine. Of course, watching the movie, I couldn’t help but be a little amused by recalling what my elementary school beliefs about the first Thanksgiving with the “Pilgrims” and the “Indians”, which was a little like this…

On arrival to the new world,

Pocahontus: (in perfect English) Welcome, we are so thankful to have you here.
John Smith: Thank you…we are so thankful to meet you.
Pocahontus: You and your people simply must join me and my people for a bountiful feast.
John Smith: Splendid! We will bring the mashed potato’s and beer.
Pocahontus: Wonderful!

At the feast;

JS: Happy Thanksgiving to all of our new friends, whom we call “Indians”. Let us all bow our heads and thank God for this delicious food.
Pocahontus: Yes, let’s!
Native American’s: Amen!

After the first course:

John Rolfe: (clinking wine glass with his spoon)…excuse me everyone, I have an announcement. Pocahontus and I will be getting married!

Native American’s and Colonial’s: Hooray!!!

John Rolfe: And oh yes, Pocahontus’s new name will be “Lady Rebecca”

John Smith: Wonderful! Now let’s all celebrate and watch the big game!