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Nov. 28, 2013 - Rush Limbaugh Program
44:50
November 28, 2013, Thursday, Hour #3
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Hi folks, and welcome back, Rush Limbaugh, the Limbaugh Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies, and it really is great to have you here, especially on Thanksgiving.
I mentioned earlier that I had some excerpts from the audio version of Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims, and what better day to share a couple of chapters than today.
So let's get right to it.
Chapter one.
The school bell rang and a few more students rushed into the classroom, followed by Principal Sherman.
The principal of Manchester Middle School was not a small man.
If the door frame were any smaller, the principal would have to duck his head and twist his way into the classroom.
I stood outside in the hallway, as the door closed, but I watched and I heard what was happening through the door's small window.
Attention, everyone, please take your seats, said the principal with authority.
He stood at the front of the classroom, hands at his sides while his eyes scanned the desks and the chairs.
I have an important announcement.
And the room went silent.
It was apparent that Principal Sherman did not tolerate disrespect.
I have some unfortunate news, he said.
Your teacher, Miss Borington, needed some extra time away from the academy to help care for a sick family member.
In the meantime, I feel very fortunate to have found such a qualified replacement.
You know that at Manchester Middle School we have the smartest and most educated teachers.
It is my pleasure to introduce you to your substitute, mister Revere.
As if on cue, I opened the door to the classroom, I walked in.
As Principal Sherman prattled on about the importance of giving me their whole attention, I walked over to the chalkboard, I grabbed a piece of chalk, and in the upper left corner I wrote my name R USH R E R E. Principal Sherman then turned to me and said Mr Revere, the students of Manchester's honors history class are now in your charge.
I know, he said, turning to the class and then back to me, that they will give you their utmost respect.
While he walked past me on his way to the door, he lowered his head and whispered If the boy in the back row with the red baseball cap gives you any trouble, please send him to my office.
Without another word, he opened the door and disappeared.
As I turned to the students, I noticed a hand in the air from a girl with blonde hair and two perfectly placed pink bows.
Before I had a chance to even call on her, she asked, Your first name is Rush?
That's weird.
Now why are you dressed like that?
She said.
I mean if there were a pecking order in the class, she'd probably be at the top of the food chain.
I looked at my seating chart and I said, Thank you, Elizabeth.
You go by Liz?
She rolled her eyes, nearly grunted, no.
Unlike some people, I have a real name.
It's Elizabeth.
It's a lovely name.
If you like four syllables, I said, winking.
If you must know my real name's Rusty.
Though when I was your age, my favorite class was history.
In fact, I found myself rushing to history class every day that I had it.
I'd rush from my home and I'd rush down the street, I'd rush through the school until I was sitting at my desk, and eventually my teacher started calling me Rush, and it stuck.
Two girls leaned over, whispered to each other, one pointed at my pants and giggled.
Ah, yes, my clothing.
Certainly my colonial shirt with a waistcoat and an outer coat over it as well as knickers, stockings, a three cornered hat was enough to make me look like I was ready to go trick or treating.
You're probably wondering about my clothing, I said.
Can anyone guess who I'm dressed as?
A couple of students raised their hands, and I pointed to each one.
George Washington, said the first.
Good guess, but no.
However, I am dressed as someone who fought in the same revolutionary war as George Washington, and they assuredly knew each other.
Are you Thomas Jefferson?
asked another student.
No.
However, another good guess.
Mr Jefferson lived during the same time, but I don't think he could ride on a horse fast enough as if he was Flying from city to city.
And then the boy with the red baseball cap raised his hand.
He was smirking at me, the kind of look you give with the intent of hitting the bullseye on a dunking machine.
Reluctantly I pointed to him.
Then you must be Peter Pan, he said, and the students burst out laughing, and now I understood the warning from Principal Sherman.
I quickly glanced at the seating chart and replied, Mr Thomas White, is it?
I go by Tommy, he said, and I think Tinkerbell just flew out the window, so you might want to go catch her.
And again the class laughed.
I smiled politely.
I waited till the room was quiet again.
Tommy appeared to be gathering up his history book in his backpack.
Are you planning to go somewhere, Tommy?
I asked.
Aren't you sending me to the principal's office?
he asked, matter of factly.
And this time I laughed.
I could see the entire class looked confused.
Apparently misses Borington did not tolerate the silly antics from a class clown.
Absolutely.
If I did, you'd miss the most exciting history lesson of your life.
Um for the record, history is not exciting, Tommy said.
Seriously.
I have to stay.
Well, I hope you choose to stay, I said.
I mean I love your imagination, Tommy.
That's exactly the kind of mind I want all of you to have.
As we discover history together, discover the stories of the exceptional people who made us who we are today.
For as long as I can remember my boyhood idol has been the famous American patriot Paul Revere.
He was a silversmith.
He took part in a Boston tea party.
He developed a system of lanterns to warn the minute men of a British invasion.
And of course, the event that he's most famous for is his midnight ride in April of seventeen seventy five.
Tommy eased back into his chair.
I could tell he wasn't convinced that history was exciting yet, but I could see a hint of curiosity on his face.
Imagine that it's midnight, I said it's very dark outside.
You hear the hoot of an owl and perhaps see bats fly through the air under a full moon.
You're on a secret mission to ride as fast as you can to warn the colonists that the British are coming.
Raise your hands if you're up for that challenge.
Several of students raised their hands, mostly boys, including Tommy.
However, I saw one girl in the back of the class who raised her hand too, but then quickly dropped it.
Hmm, I noticed this girl earlier.
She didn't laugh when the rest of the class laughed.
She looked very comfortable sitting in the very last row in the corner.
Her dark hair had a blue feather clipped in it.
She wore jeans with a hole in one knee, but I could tell it wasn't a fashion statement.
I looked at the seating chart, and I noticed the girl's name Freedom.
What an unusual name.
Personally I couldn't help but be a fan.
Ah, I see we have several brave souls who are ready to ride like Paul Revere.
However, in order for you to ride, you're going to need a horse.
I paused and nothing happened.
This time a little louder.
I repeated every word slowly.
I said we're going to need a horse.
I glanced at the door.
I paused again.
Still nothing happened.
Students looked at me, very confused.
I sighed.
We're supposed to have a special guest join us, but it appears he's running late.
Excuse me while I go out, see if he's lost.
I walked toward the door, I opened it, I glanced down the hallway.
Nothing.
I walked down the hall toward the front doors of the school.
I passed by the doors to the teacher's bathroom.
I paused, considering my options.
I heard the toilet flush, and then I heard what sounded like the clomping of horse hooves.
I rolled my eyes and I pushed the door open, and sure enough, there stood my horse, Liberty, admiring himself in the mirror.
Liberty, I shouted.
Startled, Liberty bumped into one of the bathroom stalls and knocked the door halfway off its hinges.
You missed your cue, you missed your entrance.
I'm trying to teach a history lesson, and you're an important part of that, I said.
You really shouldn't sneak up on large mammals like that, Liberty replied, you see the damage we can cause?
Not my fault.
I'm the victim here, and I'm pretty sure you're a few minutes early.
Besides, it's not like I wear a wristwatch or carry a smartphone, Liberty replied.
My apologies.
It would be my pleasure if you would care to join me, I said sarcastically as I held open the bathroom door for him.
That's more like it, he said, as he walked past me without looking in my direction.
Liberty stuck his head out the door, looked both ways.
When he didn't see anyone, we walked toward my classroom.
Now remember what we talked about.
We don't want to freak out the students the first day by showing them a talking horse, I said.
Yes, yes, of course.
My lips are sealed, said Liberty, as he pantomimed, zipping his lips with his hoof.
Good.
Now I'm going back in.
Listen for your cue.
I returned to the class, and I was glad to see that no one had left.
I apologize for the delay, as I was saying it was a midnight ride from Charlestown to Lexington, when Paul Revere shouted, The British are coming, the British are coming.
This would not be complete or even possible.
Without a noble and swift horse.
Please welcome our special guest.
Liberty.
Liberty pushed the door open, strutted into the classroom.
The students in the front row leaned back, utterly shocked at what they were seeing.
No way, said Tommy.
You actually brought a horse into school?
This is so cool.
Most of the class was standing by now, watching Liberty prance around the front of the room.
From the way Liberty was soaking up the attention, you'd think he was standing in the winner's circle at Kentucky Derby.
Several students still looked flabbergasted.
They watched Liberty as if he were a mythical unicorn.
They crowded closer to him.
The girl named Freedom, however, stood five steps back from the rest of the class.
Was she afraid?
No, not afraid, unsure.
Yeah, that's it.
She was looking at the other students, unsure of whether she was welcome to join them in their new discovery.
Don't get too close to us, Freedom, said Elizabeth, who stood at least two inches taller than the other girls in the class.
The horse might smell you and run away.
Freedom stepped back to her desk and sat down.
Class, I assure you, Liberty is very friendly.
There's no need to be alarmed.
He doesn't bite.
And fortunately he's potty trained.
I said, still irritated, Liberty was late.
Now Liberty snorted at my last comment, clearly insulted, flicked his tail into my face.
His horse hair tickled my nose before I could stop, but I sneezed.
It happened so fast Liberty instinctively said bless you.
I froze, wondering if anyone had heard that.
Liberty froze, clearly worried if I had heard that.
The students froze, clearly trying to determine if they had heard that.
Finally, one of the students broke the silence, and slowly said, Did your horse just say bless you?
My horse?
Uh talk?
I stammered, looking back and forth between the students and Liberty.
Well yeah.
I mean I've taught him a couple of words, sort of like a talking parrot, words like bless you.
I mean, what else do you say when someone else sneezes?
I said, trying to laugh it off.
And then without warning, I sneezed again.
Choo.
This time Liberty said Gazundite.
Again the students were wide eyed.
They were speechless.
This was not going as planned.
The horse, as they say, was out of the bag.
So I decided to confess, sort of.
I sighed again.
Look, the truth is that Liberty is an exceptional learner.
He's very bright, and of course he loves American history, so as long as you can keep this a secret, I can keep bringing Liberty to our class, agreed, I said, hoping it was enough.
Well, you would have thought I had just asked if each student wanted a million dollars.
A flurry of responses came rushing back in me.
Yes, okay, I'll keep it a secret.
I'll do it.
I'm in.
Well then it appears that we're unanimous, I replied.
Wonderful.
I turned to Liberty.
Is there anything you'd like to say?
And Liberty let out a big horsey.
The students looked at each other and then back at me.
Tommy was the first to speak and said not very impressive for a talking horse.
I turned to Liberty and mumbled, seriously.
Is that the best you can do?
And I turned back to the class and I laughed.
Liberty has quite the sense of humor, I said.
Clearing my throat, I looked at Liberty, spread my arm toward the class, and said Liberty, jigs up.
Your cover's been blown.
Go ahead, tell the class whatever you'd like.
Liberty smiled, and I could only imagine what was about to come out of his mouth.
He inhaled deeply, and then in one long breath, he repeated the preamble of the Constitution.
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
Do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America, he said, gasping for air.
Spontaneously, Liberty was showered with praises.
Awesome.
Cool.
Sweet.
Unbelievable.
No way.
Wicked.
Whoa, dude.
Liberty took a bow or two.
Show off, I said, out of the side of my mouth.
Liberty ignored me as the students came to the front of the class and surrounded him, touching and petting his mane and fur.
You're too kind, he said.
Tommy started scratching behind Liberty's neck.
Oh yes, said Liberty, right there.
Just a little to the right.
Yes, that's it, right behind my left ear.
How did you say that in one breath?
Tommy asked.
I bet you could do it if you tried, said Liberty.
I rolled my eyes, I realized my class was officially horsing around.
All right, class, back to your seats, I said.
Show and tell is over.
Thank you, everyone.
Please be seated.
The students returned to their seats and I decided that we'd spend enough time on the introduction and pleasantries.
Class, I want you to put away your history books.
Of course, books are wonderful, but when I'm teaching you won't need 'em.
Mr Revere, Tommy said with his hand in the air, not to be rude, but I'd rather hear Liberty talk.
I knew I would love this class, Liberty said, jumping in.
You know, horses have been an important part of this country.
Oh no, I thought.
Here he goes.
And then Liberty continued breathlessly.
You could say that we're the backbone of America.
We've lived among the Native Americans, we fought in the greatest battles, we've carried all the early presidents.
One of my favorite riders was George Washington.
Now he could ride.
He also knew how to brush down a horse.
The trick is using long strokes and starting at the top thank you, Liberty, I butted in.
You've been a wealth of knowledge.
But I think we can save the horse brushing lesson for another day.
And this time Tommy butted in.
Wait.
Did he say he carried President George Washington?
I mean that was more than two hundred years ago.
Liberty opened his mouth and then shut it.
I think what Liber was trying to say is that well, he's referring to my method of teaching, I said quickly, not ready to introduce the concept of a time traveling horse.
That's right, Liberty said, rescuing me.
Having Rush Revere as a teacher is like going to the movies.
You all like live action movies, right?
No surprise, the students all said yes.
I walked over, I pulled down the white projector screen.
History is a mystery until it's discovered.
Your job is to use your imagination as if you're actually there, and I'm going to help you.
The movie that you're about to see will make it appear as if I've gone back in time.
And Liberty winked at me.
I continued, your job is to try to identify where I'm at, who I'm talking to, what event is happening, and why it's so important.
As I was speaking, Liberty walked over to the chalkboard, he grabbed a piece of chalk with his teeth and wrote where what?
Together, we're going to discover the truth about history, I said.
Are you ready?
Students Nodded.
However, I could tell that Tommy was still not convinced that he wanted to be here.
As Liberty walked over to dim the lights, I walked over to the digital film projector and attached a small antenna to receive signals from my smartphone.
Then I gave the class one final instruction.
The movie will start in just a minute.
I'm going to walk Liberty outside for a breath of fresh air, and I'll return shortly.
What about the popcorn?
Tommy asked.
An excellent idea, Tommy, I replied.
Tomorrow you'll have fresh buttered popcorn.
A quick flurry of cheers came from the students.
And I'll bring the red licorice, Liberty said.
Not long ago I was watching one of my favorite movies, Seabiskit.
It was the final race, and Seabisket was coming around the last bend, heading for the finish line.
I, of course, was on the edge of my seat.
I couldn't take my eyes off the screen, so I blindly grabbed for a piece of licorice.
But instead of eating it, I accidentally stuffed it up my nose.
My horse, I thought, the comedian.
I rolled my eyes as the class laughed.
I pointed Liberty to the door at the back of the room and walked over to join him.
When the movie's over, we'll review what you saw, I said.
Liberty and I slipped out into the hallway and I jumped onto Liberty's saddle.
I pulled out my smartphone, I tapped the camera app, and switched it to video mode.
As soon as Liberty jumped through the time portal, I would tap record and video our adventure, which would be transmitted to the film projector back in the classroom.
It's a miracle that it works.
But this way the students could see and hear exactly what Liberty and I were experiencing.
You have your seasickness pills, Liberty asked.
Already took one, I replied.
Good.
Because the last time we were on the Mayflower, you look like green jello, he said with a laugh.
No time to spare, Liberty, let's go.
Liberty bounded down the hall and said rush, rush, rushing to history.
A vertical swirling hole of purple and gold began opening in the middle of the hallway.
It grew in size as Liberty approached.
I grabbed tighter to the horn on Liberty's saddle and shouted sixteen twenty.
Holland, the pilgrims.
All I could do now was hope we landed on dry ground.
Right before Liberty jumped through the time portal, I had the feeling that we were being watched.
I turned my head, and the last thing I saw was someone's head dart back into the classroom.
Someone with long, dark hair and a flash of blue.
We have to stop here, folks, for an obscene profit timeout.
When we come back, we'll jump right into the last chapter featuring the first Thanksgiving.
Don't go away.
Rushlinbaugh here on the EIB Network, happy Thanksgiving.
Back to Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims, read by the author.
Now that would be me.
Jumping ahead to Chapter ten.
I immediately saw drastic change in the surrounding forest.
Instead of the mostly green leaves of springtime, now the leaves were various shades of vibrant yellow, red, orange, and purple.
It was definitely autumn and it felt like the perfect scenery for celebrating the first Thanksgiving.
Freedom and Tommy were experts at jumping off Liberty.
They quickly slipped off their shoes and put their pilgrim clothing on over their modern day clothes.
Feels like we were just here, said Freedom.
We were, said Tommy.
Technically, we came here this morning.
But about seven months have passed at Plymouth Plantation.
I pulled out my smartphone, tapped the camera app, and switched it to video mode.
I turned the phone toward Liberty and said, You're on.
The students back in class will be able to see and hear you.
Liberty cleared his throat and said, Hello, class, it's me, Liberty.
I can't wait to get back and visit with all of you.
Right now we're approaching the place where the pilgrims first settled in America.
It's called Liberty's Landing.
Liberty, I whispered loudly.
What?
Liberty whispered back.
It's not called Liberty's Landing, you know that.
I was just making sure you were paying attention, although I do think Liberty's Landing has a nice ring to it, don't you?
I rolled my eyes and firmly said get on with it.
Okay, okay.
We're approaching Plymouth Plantation.
The pilgrims have been living here for about ten months, and now a word from our sponsor.
We don't have a sponsor, I said.
We don't?
Well we should.
The iced tea factory that you work for should be sponsoring us.
Seriously.
Or what about butterbowl turkeys or stove top stuffing?
Or Liberty, I think I can take it from here, I said, exasperated.
For the record, just because I'm a horse doesn't mean I don't have good ideas.
Oh I do.
In fact, I have a dream.
I have a dream that one day I won't be judged by the color of my skin, but by the content of my character.
Wait a minute, that was brilliant.
I could build upon that.
It's brilliant because the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. said it first.
Oh, Liberty said.
Well, it just goes to show how great minds think alike.
I turned the camera toward the pilgrim settlement.
Class, this is Mr. Revere speaking.
You can't see me because as I mentioned before, the camera I'm using is attached to my coat, disguised as a button.
We are approaching the festival now.
Look at all the Indians, said Freedom.
Sure enough, I counted about a hundred Indians, double the number of English pilgrims.
I looked for William Bradford or Miles Standish or Elder Brewster, but none of them could be found.
Mr Revere, Tommy said softly.
See a bunch of kids playing games over by the brook.
We're going to check it out, okay?
Have fun, I said.
Tommy and Freedom ran off toward the brook, and I started weaving my way through the guests.
Finally I saw a familiar face.
Squanto was walking in my direction and waved as I approached.
You must be Rush Revere, he said.
Welcome.
Thank you, I said as we shook hands.
It's an honor to meet you, Squanto said.
William hoped you would come and bring Tommy in freedom.
We just arrived, I said, as Liberty wandered toward the tables of food.
Tommy and Freedom ran off to see what games are being played by the brook.
Smart children, Squanto said.
William recognized your horse and asked that I come find you.
Come, he is with Massasoit.
I will introduce you to the leader of the Pecanicats.
As you can see he has brought many of his people to the harvest festival.
I nodded, and said it looks like he brought his entire village.
Before I was captured and taken to Spain, I remember Massasoit had a great army.
His people numbered almost twelve thousand with three thousand warriors.
That's remarkable, I said.
Yes, but after years of disease, Massasoit was left with fewer than three hundred warriors.
I remembered Squanto talking about how many of his people died.
I didn't realize how great a number that really was.
I said, I assume that Massasoit's visit with William Bradford and the others went well.
Yes, Squanto nodded.
Very well.
Massasoit and the people of the Mayflower worked out an agreement of peace.
They promised to help and protect each other.
I like the idea of a peace agreement, and I was very glad to see the friendships that had been forged between the pilgrims and the Bacanicats.
As I followed Squanto through the maze of people, I have to admit I felt a little nervous and overwhelmed.
I'm not usually starstruck, but walking around meeting exceptional people like Squanto, who left such a mark on American history, it was just incredible.
Not to mention, I was about to meet the man who could command his warriors to capture or kill the pilgrims, like the Indians did with the French sailors who had arrived in previous years.
Instead, he chose to befriend them.
And from the sound of it, the pilgrims had helped the Indians as well.
As we approached several outdoor fires, I saw William Bradford standing next to a strong and muscular Native American.
His chest was bare, but he wore a thick necklace made of white shells.
His long black hair was cut short on one side, and his face was painted dark red.
He had several warriors standing with him.
Their faces were also painted, some red, some white, some yellow and some black.
William presented Massasoit with a pair of knives and some copper chains.
In return, Massasoit Presented William with some furs and a quiver full of arrows.
The two men smiled upon trading the items.
Squanto turned to me and said, Massasoit does not speak English, but I will translate for you.
As Squanto approached the Sachum, Massasoit turned and acknowledged it.
The two spoke briefly, and Squanto pointed in my direction.
Both Massasoit and William turned upon seeing me.
William rushed over to greet me.
Rush Revere.
As always, your timing is perfect.
I see that Squanto has found you, William said.
He took my arm and led me to Massasoit.
It is my pleasure to introduce you to the Indian king, Massasoit.
In his native tongue, Squanto translated for William, and then introduced me to the king.
I reached out my hand toward Massasoit and he shook it with a strong grip.
He looked to be about thirty five years old and as lean and fit as any professional athlete.
He smiled and spoke a language that was complete gibberish.
I smiled back and nodded my head.
Squanto said, He says that you have a strong name like a rushing river.
Massasoit spoke again, and Squanto said he asks if you have brought anything to trade.
I felt bad that I had nothing to trade with the Indian leader.
Or did I?
I slipped my hand into my pocket and pulled out the peppermint candy that was still there from our trip to Foster's family diner.
I said I have nothing to trade, but I do have a small gift.
I handed a piece of candy to Massasoit, who accepted it in his palm.
He looked at it closely.
Peppermint candy, I said.
You'll need to take off the wrapper, then place it on your tongue and suck it.
It's sweet like honey.
Squanto translated my words and Massasoit placed the hard candy on his tongue.
His eyebrows raised and he nodded at the warriors next to him.
He smiled, and spoke briefly as he continued to suck.
Squanto said, He says your gift is good.
He likes it very much.
Then Massasoit spit the candy into his palm and offered it to the warrior on his right, who took it and placed it on his tongue.
One by one the Indians surrounding Massasoit each took a turn, sucking the candy and tasting the peppermint until it made its way back to the Pacanaket leader.
Obviously no one in the seventeenth century was familiar with germs or bacteria and how they can be passed along by the food we eat, the surfaces we touch, even by the air we breathe, but they knew good candy when they tasted it.
William spoke.
Squanto, please tell Massasoit that our home is his home, and thank him again for the five deer that he brought to our celebration.
As Squanto translated, I turned to see many deer, ducks, and wild turkeys that turned on wooden spits roasting over the outdoor fires.
Meats and vegetables were thrown into large metal pots, similar to Dutch ovens, and were simmering over hot coals.
It smells delicious, I said.
Squanto, Massasoit, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to show Rush Revere our settlement, said William.
Squanto translated and Massasoit nodded.
As William and I walked away, Squanto stepped alongside me and said, I have a gift for freedom.
If it is acceptable to you, I would give it to her before she leaves.
I think that'd be wonderful, I said.
Very good, Squanto nodded.
I will get it to her.
Thank you, Rush Revere.
You have been a good friend to William.
And Squanto has been a good friend to me and our settlement, said William.
He taught us where to hunt and fish, how to plant and grow the best crops, what herbs to use for medicines, and how to trade for supplies with other tribes.
We believe he's been sent from God as an instrument to help us grow and prosper.
You are too kind, William, said Squanto.
God, as you say, rescued me from slavery in Spain.
The Catholic friars, holy men, helped me escape.
They risked their lives to free me, so that I could return to my native land.
I have much to be grateful for, and I choose to show my gratitude by serving my new friend and holy man, William Bradford.
I could see how Squanto would consider William to be holy.
The Puritans prayed many times a day, and they never worked on the Sabbath.
They tried to show compassion to all men and women, and looked for solutions to their problems without violence.
With great admiration I turned to William and said Mr Bradford, I must thank you so much for inviting me.
I'm beyond honored.
William replied, Tommy is a good lad.
I wasn't sure I would see you at the common house, but I knew he would find a way to get my letter to you.
I wanted you to be here to celebrate with us.
We all have so much to be grateful for on this day.
Yes, I agreed everyone seems so joyous, far different than a short while ago.
It's true, said William.
But the real difference came when every family was assigned its own plot of land to work.
That was the turning point.
They were permitted to market their own crops and products, and this had very good success.
Men and women worked harder and much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been.
The turnaround to success is truly extraordinary, I said.
And you say that it all happened soon after you stopped sharing the profits that gave every man a common share or equal amount?
Yes.
At first we really had great expectations and high hopes that all the people would embrace the idea of a commonwealth.
But it didn't work.
In fact, it almost ruined us.
We learned that it wasn't actually fair at all.
But William is a smart man, said Squanto.
He gave people their own land.
He made people free.
No more slaves to a common house.
They set up trading posts and exchanged goods with the Indians.
William nodded and said In no time we found that we had more food than we could eat ourselves.
We realized that our profits would soon allow us to pay back the people that sponsored our voyage to America.
In fact, we expect more Puritans to arrive, and surely more Europeans will come to trade with us.
I smiled at what William was saying.
This of course is something that America has long since learned.
But I marveled at how quickly the pilgrims figured it out.
When people have individual freedom to work, build, create, market, and make a profit for themselves, the community prospers faster than it would when these freedoms aren't available to men and women.
It was obvious that this first Thanksgiving would not be possible if William Bradford hadn't boldly changed the way the pilgrims worked and lived.
If you'll excuse me, said Squanto, I must check on Massasoit, and then I will find freedom and give her my gift.
Again, it's a great honor to meet you, I said.
We said goodbye, and Squanto slipped back into the crowd at the exact same time as Myles Standish walked up to us.
He said he'll make a fine military man.
Excuse me?
I asked, confused.
Your boy, Tommy, said Myles.
I found him by the brook.
He's quick as a snake, light on his feet.
I was very impressed.
He's a natural.
I hope you don't mind that I gave him a gift.
A gift?
I'm sure he was thrilled to get a gift from you, I said.
Indeed he was.
He said his mother might be worried, and I told him nonsense he should wear it proudly day and night.
Thank you, Myles, I said.
Exactly what was it that you gave?
My words were drowned out by the sudden sound of pounding drums, and the loud shrieks coming from near the outside fires.
I turned to see Indians dancing around a fire ring, their faces streaked with paint.
Both Indians and pilgrims smiled as they watched the performing pacanakets twirl and bend and wave their arms as they sang and chanted to the drums.
After several minutes, the mesmerizing dancers finally stopped, and several Indians whooped and hollered for more.
I turned toward William, who handed me a plate of food.
I'm sure you haven't had time to eat yet, he said.
Myles won't be joining us.
As you may know, he too lost his wife last winter, and is eager to find someone to marry.
He fancies a young lady has gone to court her.
Please, sit, join me.
I thanked him and took my plate, which was loaded with food, including sliced turkey, a stew of meat and vegetables, and bread pudding.
We ate until my belt felt like it was two sizes too small.
Come, said William.
We will walk off this fine meal.
I have something I want to show you.
We walked along the row of houses toward the harbor.
When we reached the shore at Plymouth Bay, we walked south along the sandy beach, then followed a trail that led slightly uphill toward a giant granite boulder the size of a large elephant.
We climbed until the ground was level with the boulder which stuck out of the side of the hill and into the ocean.
My natural instinct was to step onto the rock and look out over the shoreline.
The breeze was cool to my face.
The waves were soothing as they rocked back and forth along the beach.
Sandpipers pecked for sand crabs just before running from the approaching waves.
You are standing on Plymouth Rock, said William.
We used this rock to guide the Mayflower back to this place after we found it on one of our discovery expeditions.
I had heard of Plymouth Rock since I was a little boy.
I imagined a shallop or small boat could have used this rock at half tide as a dock for the pilgrims to step onto dry ground rather than waiting through frigid waters.
I have tried to be like this granite boulder, steadfast and immovable, said William.
It has not been easy, but God has made the impossible possible.
The Bible says we should build our house upon the rock.
And I've thought about this since we arrived.
I have thought about this through each of our trials in the New World.
Though the winds may blow and the storms may rage, the rock does not cower in fear.
Do you know why?
I waited for William's response, eager to know the answer.
He continued, It's fearless, because it knows where it belongs.
I paused before I said, And you know that the pilgrims belong here at Plymouth Bay.
Yes, William said, nodding, and each of us can be fearless and strong like this rock, when we know without a doubt where we belong and what we should do.
God helps us to know these things.
I knew we would make it to the new world.
I knew we would find a home like Plymouth Plantation.
I knew eventually, that I would need to give each family their own piece of land and allow them the freedoms to enjoy the profits of their labor, and I know today that this land will prosper and become a great nation, and it will remain a great nation as long as we are one nation under God.
Thank you, William, I said.
I have treasured our time together.
I will do my best as a history teacher to make sure that people across America never forget you or the pilgrims.
Before we turned back toward the festival, I slipped out my phone and discreetly took a picture, while William was distracted by several seals playing in the harbor below.
When we arrived back at the first Thanksgiving, I said Thank you again, William.
I wish you the very best in everything you do.
The same to you, said William.
He grabbed my shoulder and we embraced.
We said goodbye, and I decided to head over to the brook to find Tommy and Freedom.
Several children were playing a variety of games like keep away and leapfrog and hide and seek.
Some pilgrim children were playing tic tac toe in the dirt.
Another pair was playing checkers with an old water damaged checkerboard and two different colored stones.
Finally, I saw two children sitting on tree stumps, and in between them on a third stump was a very pristine but old looking chessboard with elaborately carved chess pieces.
Oddly one was a pilgrim boy with a sword hanging from his belt, the other was an Indian girl with a deerskin dress trimmed with fur and matching moccasins.
She also wore a necklace of shimmering shells and two hawk like feathers in her hair.
An odd pair of chess opponents, I thought.
Both had their heads down intently studying the chessboard.
The next second, the girl moved her queen to its final resting place and said checkmate.
The boy was motionless, apparently stunned.
As the girl raised her head, I quickly stopped the video on my smartphone and asked surprise Freedom, is that you?
Hi, mister Revere, said Freedom.
Is it time to go?
Where did you learn to play like that?
said Tommy.
Playing chess is a lot like tracking animals, said Freedom.
I hunted you, and you stepped right into my traps.
Huh?
asked Tommy, completely bewildered.
Let's play again, he said determined.
Not now, I said.
We need to head back to the modern day.
Has anyone seen Liberty?
Oh, and by the way, where did you get the Indian dress?
It was a gift from Squanto, said Freedom.
We talked for a little while.
He said I should be proud of who I am, and that I shouldn't care what people think of me.
He knows a lot.
I thought I'm sure he does.
Yeah, and Miles Standish gave me this awesome sword.
Tommy unsheathed it and sliced it through the air.
We practiced for like an hour.
It was so fun.
I bet it was.
But let's not do that when we get back to the classroom, okay?
I asked politely.
I jumped when whiskers tickled my ear and I heard I sure wish they had a livery here.
What's a liberty?
Tommy asked.
Not a liberty, said Liberty.
I said a livery.
It's like a spa for horses.
Oh yeah, I thought you said liberty, not livery.
Hey, that's sort of a tongue twister, said Tommy.
Try and say livery liberty ten times really fast.
Oh that's easy, said Liberty.
Livery Liberty.
Livery Liberty.
Liberty livery Ahwash.
As we walked to the place in the forest where we first arrived, I told Tommy in Freedom and Liberty about my conversation with William Bradford.
That's awesome.
You got to stand on Plymouth Rock, Tommy said.
I looked back at Plymouth Plantation and marveled at what the pilgrims had accomplished.
These people accomplished the impossible.
They survived the unthinkable.
And they started a new way of living that would influence the making of the greatest country in the world.
The pilgrims taught us that religious freedom comes with a price, and they paid it with their lives, while others lost the people they loved the most.
But their sacrifices would not be in vain.
I would miss my time with William Bradford.
He was an exceptional American, and someone who truly made a difference in the making of the United States of America.
Of course, he would never fully see how the Mayflower Compact influenced future lawmakers who ultimately created the Constitution, but I was excited to return to class and review what we had learned with the other students.
So where are we going to go on our next time travel adventure, mister Revere?
asked Freedom.
Eager to go already, I asked.
Absolutely, said Tommy.
I've decided to visit Liberty's hometown and home time, I said.
Really?
asked Liberty excitedly.
It's time to experience the history of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
There's no place like home, Liberty said, unless your home is in a country ruled by a ruthless king, or sitting under a lightning storm, or on top of an active volcano, or in the path of stampeding elephants, or on top of a termite farm, or in the path of a falling commodity, Freedom, and I simply smiled at each other as we listened to Liberty's endless list.
My life has never been the same with a time traveling horse, I thought, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Where do we go next?
I just want to thank all of you for indulging me.
I am so proud of this book.
I'm glad I could share some of it with you on today of all days.
And a programming note, Mark Stein will be here tomorrow.
I'll see you back here on Monday.
If they let me back in the country.
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