This is a fictional story about members of the real-life Hopkins family who came to America among the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower. Oceanus Hopkins was the only child to be born during the voyage. His big sister Constance was most likely a big part of the young boy’s life. Here is a short story about the day of the First Thanksgiving in 1621.
Constance ran through the woods outside of Plymouth Colony. She couldn’t find Oceanus anywhere. Her nearly one-year-old brother was an early walker. The Hopkins family could hardly keep up with him. He was named after the Atlantic Ocean where he was born during their voyage on the Mayflower. Like the waters upon which he was born, little Ocea never sat still.
It was a big day in the colony. The Wampanoag Indians were coming to join in a harvest feast. They had helped the Pilgrims grow and harvest all the foods in this new world. Everything smelled so delicious. Instead of helping with the food, Constance was supposed to watch Oceanus. She watched the preparations for just a moment, and he was gone.
She ran and weaved. She called out and no one answered. What would her father think? What would he do? He had transformed in this last year in America. He was always tough but after living in the wild and dealing with the Indians, her father Charles Hopkins was a hardened man. Father wasn’t mean, just strict like all the other Pilgrim parents.
She came to a halt. She heard something. Someone was moving nearby. She thought she heard faint voices. Oceanus?” she whispered. No answers. “Oceanus?” Still, no sound.
“Consta!” she heard a small voice say from the trees up ahead. She found him! But he was not alone. He was in the arms of a tall Indian man. It was Massasoit, the leader of the Wampanoags. He was followed by men in all directions adorned in animal skins and feathers.
The chief put the boy down and he came running back to his big sister. Constance was stunned, but she wasn’t scared. These men had come for the feast. They were the honored guests of the Pilgrims as thanksgiving for all they had done for them.
“Come,” Constance finally said. “Come join us for the feast.”
She led the men back to Plymouth Colony where the chief was greeted by the Governor and welcomed into a place of honor. At one time during the meal, Constance saw Massasoit smile as little Oceanus toddled off away from the table.
Story Reflection Questions
- Where did Oceanus get his name? What meaning does your name have to your parents and family?
- Why did the Pilgrims invite the Wampanoag Indians to join them for the feast?
- If you were Constance, would you have been scared to see the Wampanoags? Why or why not?
Download and Print the Thanksgiving Story for Kids
Enter your email to get a PDF version of the story that you can print and give to students to use in class.
