Squanto's Journey Quotes

“Author’s Note

Then there is the land itself. Our Native people have always believed that the land talks to us when we listen. I have stood on the same ground where Squanto walked three centuries ago, feeling the sea breeze in my face and smelling the smoke from cooking fires, where the same foods he would have eaten were being cooked in the traditional way. As I stood there, I, too, heard the whisper of the earth, a song on the wind reminding me that those ancient voices will never be gone.”
― Joseph Bruchac, Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving

“I am Squanto. I am known to all those who gather here: English, Pokanoket, Nemasket, even a few of my own surviving Patuxets. I speak to you as a pniese, a man of honor. I will never leave this land. I give thanks for all of our people to the Creator of All Things.”
― Joseph Bruchac, Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving

“I think of how our two people have become entwined. I feel hope for our children in the seasons to come. With our help, the English have learned enough of hunting and fishing to provide the food for a great feast such as this one--this feast for all our people.
Now as we eat together, I give thanks. I have seen more in my life than most men, whether Indian or English. I have seen both death and life come to this land that gives itself to English and Indian alike. I pray that there will be many more such days to give thanks together in the years that follow.”
― Joseph Bruchac, Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving

“So it was that five days later, on the 22nd of March, I walked with Samoset back into my own village. Once Patuxet, now it was Plymouth. I looked around me. Though much was changed, I knew that I at last had returned to the land of my home.”
― Joseph Bruchac, Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving

“I spoke to Massasoit, the sachem of the Pokanoket, as a pniese should, with respect and honor. “Befriend the English,” I said. “Make them come to understand and support our people.”
Massasoit did not listen at first. He watched silently through that winter.
Then Samoset came to visit. He was a sachem of the Pemaquid people, who lived farther up the coast. He had done much trading with the English. He knew some of their language.
“Let me talk with the Songlismoniak,” he said to Massasoit, nodding to me as he spoke. Massasoit agreed.
The next day, March 16th of 1621, Samoset strode into the English settlement.
“Welcome, English,” he said in their tongue. He showed them the two arrows in his hand. One had a flint arrowhead, the other had the arrowhead removed. The arrows symbolized what we offered them, either war or peace.
The English placed a coat about his shoulders to warm him. They invited him into one of their houses. They gave him small water, biscuits and butter, pudding and cheese.
“The food was so good,” Samoset said to me later, laughing as he spoke, “I decided to spend the night.”
When he left the next day, he promised to return with a friend who spoke their language well.
So it was that five days later, on the 22nd of March, I walked with Samoset back into my own village. Once Patuxet, now it was Plymouth. I looked around me. Though much was changed, I knew that I at last had returned to the land of my home.
“Perhaps these men can share our land as friends,” I told my brother, at my side.”
― Joseph Bruchac, Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving

“My story is both strange and true. I was born in the year the English call 1590. My family were leaders of the Patuxet people and I, too, was raised to lead. But in 1614 I was taken to Spain against my will. Now it is 1621 and I am again in my homeland. My name is Squanto. I would like to tell you my tale.”
― Joseph Bruchac, Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving