Vincent then stood before the community, and as he asked for the children's attention he softly began, "Now please continue working on your Charms, and I will tell you the story of the First Thanksgiving."
Just then from the entrance of the kitchen, Peter and Charles stood unnoticed at the back of the Hall. And because they were not wanting to interrupt, they quietly sat down and listened.
Vincent paced for a moment, and as he added an excited element to his voice, he continued, "The intrigue of the "First Thanksgiving" was actually a harvest festival, held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and their Native American neighbors at the Plymouth Plantation."
Upon hearing some information, the children began firing questions at Vincent, to which he cautioned them to use proper classroom protocol, by reminding them, "Children, raise your hands if you have a question."
And so because Joseph caught his eye, Vincent called on him first, to which he respectfully asked, "Yes Joseph, what is your question?"
As Joseph stood, he then shared, "I read this one book about my favorite Chief, Chief Joseph, and he was 6'2" tall!"
Joseph then noted, "I bet you are a whole lot taller though, uh Vincent?"
In reply, Vincent politely informed Joseph, "Actually, I am 6'2" as well"
The children all started to chime in, "Holy Cow!" and "Wow, how great Vincent is as tall as a Chief!"
The children then all started to measure their own height against each other, and started to get off track of the Holiday discussion!
As Catherine watched on, she with a bit of humor in her voice, expressed, "Oh boy!"
Jacob assuredly said, "No worries Dear, Vincent allows the children to blow off a little energy once in a while, and then quiets them back down, so he may obtain their full attention again..."
And so after a moment or two, Vincent pointedly said, "Children, tomorrow in class we will measure everyone's height, however, I had called on Joseph, so we must be respectful and listen."
The children all sat back down with an "awe shucks" attitude, and obediently returned to their task at hand, of making their charms.
It was then Vincent was able to turn his attention back to Joseph, and asked, "Joseph, what is your actual question?"
Thoughtfully, Joseph squinted, as he asked, "I was going to ask if Chief Joseph was at the first Thanksgiving...but then I remembered he wasn't even born until 1840...sorry Vincent."
To which Vincent informatively began, "You are correct, Chief Joseph was not born until March of 1840, in the Pacific Northwest, long after the First Thanksgiving. And was a member of the Nez Perce tribe, not the Wampanoag."
Because Joseph was a little embarrassed, he said, "Guess I shoulda remembered all that before I raised my hand."
With a nod, Vincent replied, "Well, now we all know more about Chief Joseph. And well, as long as we are talking about Chief Joseph, here is an interesting fact, his given name was In-mut- too- yah- lat- lat, which means "Thunder Rolling in the Heights."
After hearing this, Kipper excitedly raised his hand, and asked, "So if Chief Joseph lived here, and when I saw him, I would have to say, Hiya Thunder Rolling in the Heights?"
In concurrence, Vincent nodded, saying, "Yes Kipper you could, or Chief Joseph, or if you can pronounce his given name, In-mut-too-yah-lat-lat."
Excitedly, Kipper said, "I could, or I just thought of a fourth way, I could ask Laura to teach me his name in sign language!"
In agreement, Vincent nodded saying, "Yes, sign language would be another way."
Turning to Laura, Vincent signed, "Laura would you be so kind to sign Chief Joseph's given name for us?"
Happy to help, Laura stood smiling, because she was so very happy to demonstrate how to sign "Thunder Rolling in the Heights".
To which Vincent appreciatively signed, and said, "Thank you Laura for showing us how to say it in such a beautiful way."
Vincent then continued, "You know, Chief Joseph often relied on diplomatic methods to resolve issues, rather than by fighting."
Thinking about this, Samantha raised her hand, and asked, "Would you say Chief Joseph was a pacifist Vincent?"
In reply, Vincent cautiously tried to put Chief Joseph's spirit and beliefs into perspective, by explaining, "He was peace loving yes Samantha, however, because diplomatic negotiations broke down, he was involved in the first battles which were waged between the Nez Perce and the US militia."
Curiously, Seth asked, "Well how can you be peace loving and still fight Vinthent?"
To which Vincent explained, "Sometimes one must fight for peace, for your beliefs, and for your people. Chief Joseph was forced into battle as the Nez Perce were chased for 1500 miles toward Canada, and fought all the way, but he stopped 40 short miles from the freedom the Canadian border could have offered them...because he decided to surrender."
Heather raised her hand, and questioned, "So he gave up then Vincent?"
Carefully, Vincent explained, "Not gave up, but rather he surrendered for what he believed to be for the good of his people, and for the generations to come."
Vincent paced as he shared, "Chief Joseph actually showed more strength by his surrender than any directed arrow could have....and he kept his promise when he said, "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever". Chief Joseph was not only a great Nez Perce Chief, but a very honorable man as well."
Meanwhile, Charles listening from the back of the Hall, had to keep reminding himself he was not dreaming!
He was here below New York City, surrounded by people, who have shunned conventional society, and he was here basically, to confront his daughter's suitor! A very unique man, who was so very undeniably different!
As Charles listened to the exchanges between Vincent and the children, he found he was very touched by the manner Vincent addressed and talked to them, and by the ease they talked to him. He was impressed too, that Vincent was quite knowledgeable about one of his own most favorite historical figures.
And so in getting the story back on track, Vincent continued on with the First Thanksgiving, explaining, "Thanksgiving has become a broad symbol of the entirety of the American experience. Many find this a cause for rejoicing."
Tipping his head, mindfully he inserted, "There is an opposing view however. It is the view of the Native Americans. They after all, ultimately suffered the loss of their lands and the end to their way of life. So their view-point is equally valid."
The children sat spell bound, as they listened to Vincent tell them, both sides of their nation's beginning.
Vincent nodded saying, "Yes Children, the history of our Country has many voices and many points of views, and in order to form our own opinions, we must hear all viewpoints. For instance, on Thanksgiving, Native Americans and their supporters gather on Coles Hill, a place which overlooks Plymouth Rock to commemorate, The National Day of Mourning."
Vincent then reiterated, "For others, it is gaily celebrated. Thanksgiving commemorates, the "First Thanksgiving". A day presenting a picture of unification between the European colonists and America's Native People."
In wonderment Vincent painted an image for the children by saying, "Can you imagine what they must have thought of one another? The Native Americans must have thought the Pilgrims dressed oddly, and the Pilgrims may have thought the same of them as well. Still, they came together and found a common ground that day, and the emphasis of Thanksgiving as we know it, is placed on the respect which existed between the Wampanoags and the first generation of Pilgrims in Plymouth. And it is in this spirit, we celebrate."
Vincent huskily emphasized, "It is right to celebrate the example of respect they gave one another, if only for the brief span of a single generation, in a single place, between two different cultures. Giving us a vision of what may be possible again someday, among people of goodwill."
As Charles heard the words Vincent spoke, "respect", "different cultures", and "People of goodwill".
Charles now saw the path so clearly, because he now understood what Catherine's good, kind heart already knew. We must have acceptance, and look past differences and impressions at all costs, to see the heart of each man.
Meantime, because Zach was excited to recite the poem he had written, he asked, "When should I recite my poem for everyone Vincent?"
And because he had concluded his story, Vincent replied, "This would be a perfect time..."
And then Vincent explained to the community, "A couple of the children were anxious to recite their poems they had written for class, please Zach you may come on up and start us off..."
And so Zach sauntered up front by Vincent and after clearing his throat, he began: The First Thanksgiving of 1621
The Pilgrims and the Native American Indians shared the original Thanksgiving feast but because they spoke different idioms they couldn't understand each other in the least
Still they ate together from a delicious buffet, with yummy being one word they both could understand so good food united them that Thanksgiving Day, and after a lot of killing they formed this great land
Everyone clapped, and proudly Zach hammed it up a little by bowing in a show of thanks.
And when Vincent realized after Zach's fifth bow, he needed to move the little showboat along, and so he said, "Thank you Zach, and Eric you wanted to recite your poem as well?"
To which Eric proudly walked up, and explained, "Mine isn't as long, but here it goes: The Thanksgiving Turkey!
The Thanksgiving Turkey It is not so fun to be Because the one who is gobbling Is no longer Me!
After the laughter died down for the little chap, Vincent said, "Thank you Eric...very nice children..."
Vincent then looked to his Father, wanting to get the founder of their world involved in the program, so he gingerly prodded, "Father have you anything to add?"
As Jacob hobbled forth, he stood by his son, and said, "Children, and I suppose I should include everyone when I say, the lesson Vincent taught us today is a powerful one. We must remember the attitudes, and actions we demonstrate in our lives, must be open and tolerant as we communicate with our fellow man."
Looking now directly at the children, Jacob then charged, "Continue working on your charms now, it is nearly time to present them. Thank you for your attention everyone...please mingle, mingle, mingle!"
As Jacob then turned to his son, and with a look of pride, he privately said, "Nicely done Vincent."
And after Vincent thanked his Father, he then approached the children to offer his help, and as he did, Peter from the back of the Hall, good-naturedly said, "Happy Thanksgiving!"
For a moment, everyone was stunned as they looked back and saw Peter was there! Everyone immediately responded greetings in return, and then they saw he was with someone they did not know.
As Catherine looked to Jacob, she excitedly said, "Dad is with Peter!"
As Catherine ran up to the two, she firstly hugged her Dad, and with tears in her eyes, she said, "What a surprise!"
As Charles responded in kind, he and Peter then explained that Petey's temporary relapse, was the reason for their change of plans.
Peter then gave Catherine a hug too, and joyfully said, "We thought we would surprise ya!"
And while Catherine replied, telling Peter she was indeed surprised, Charles looked up over the crowd, and though Vincent was in the middle of helping the children, he looked up, and it was then Charles caught Vincent's eye.
And for a brief instant, Charles and Vincent had a moment, where they stood on a common level of understanding, and ultimate acceptance.
It was then, when Jacob approached Peter and Charles to welcome them too, and it was quite a joyous reunion!
As Charles mentioned to Catherine, he would like to say hello to Vincent, with a loving nod, Catherine said, "He is helping the children...I will take you over. Oh wait till you meet these kids Dad...they are all so sweet."
And so Catherine introduced her beloved Dad to people they passed as they made their way toward Vincent, and when they reached him, she softly said, "Dad...you remember Vincent."
Charles nodded, and as the two men stood before one another, it took a mere minuscule moment, before he extended his hand to shake Vincent's.
Warmly, Charles said, "Yes of course I do. Nice to see you again Vincent."