We watched helplessly as the men plowed through our home. We tried to stop them, but we had to accept our fate. They didn't share the same respect we had for our surroundings. It pains us all to watch them tear up the earth that had given us so much. If only we could go back, just a short time ago, to when the men first came.
It was a normal day, and after a long day of gathering wild nuts and berries, we prepared to go back to the village. However, on our way back we heard a noise coming from the sea. We assumed the noise came from animals, but we were shocked when we saw other people. Luckily for us we were behind the trees, hoping to not startle the animals, but it worked to not let them see us either. We slowly retreated and as we walked back, I saw a massive boat, made from many trees, in the water. Knowing the great things these men are capable of, I had a feeling it would not go well for us.
After a little while we decided to put ourselves in an area where they could discover us, as to not startle them. Our first interactions were very peaceful. They were very interested in us, what we were wearing, and even our crops. We taught them how to grow corn, squash, and beans, and they in turn gave us certain metal tools and goods from their home. But suddenly, one day they came with all their men, and rounded us up. We were forced to work for them, harvest their crops, and build their homes. They weren't like us at all, they didn't care for the spirits in nature, they only took, and never gave.
More and more came, and more and more of us died. We had illnesses never before held by our people, we had starvation even with so much to quench our hunger around us. But the worst part was helping them tear apart the earth which has treated us so well for so many years. So we were forced to watch helplessly, as they tore apart our neighborhood.
I like the first person view on the topic, very realistic. It puts you in the eyes of the natives.
ReplyDeleteThanks Max
ReplyDeleteWow! I really enjoyed reading this entry. I feel as though you especially conveyed a sense of disrespect for nature from the Europeans, especially with the line "they only took, and never gave". I liked the first-person perspective on the topic of early European settlement, and I got the sense that this narrative was written during either the very earliest settlements of the Pilgrims, or shortly thereafter (due to the natives teaching the Europeans how to grow certain crops). One question I have is whether this narrative was written through the eyes of a male or a female - I can't exactly make it out from the narrative itself. At first, you state that the Native in question was gathering berries and nuts (a typically "womanly" job, if you follow the hunting and gathering aspect of the Native Americans), but later you state something about when the Natives discovered the Europeans, and how you thought they were animals, implying that the Natives were hunting. Was your native part of a special tribe where each person hunted and gathered? Either way, awesome post. Looking forwards to more!
ReplyDeleteThanks Adam, I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and comments on my blog. I never really considered the gender aspect of the narrator, but now that you mention it, I will consider it in the future.
ReplyDeleteGreat narrative quincy! you truly instilled a realistic feel in the reader ;)
ReplyDelete