Meet a Pilgrim Boy

It was July 1621. The Pilgrims were getting used to their new home in what is now Massachusetts. They were also getting to know their new neighbors, the Wampanoag (WAHM-pah-nawg). There were 70 Wampanoag villages!

Things hadn’t started well. When the Pilgrims had arrived from England, they had stolen corn from a Wampanoag village called Nauset. The Pilgrims and the people of Nauset had a terrible fight. After that, they stayed far away from each other. But thanks to one boy, that was about to change.

It was July 1621. The Pilgrims were getting used to their new home. It was in a place we now call Massachusetts. They were also getting to know their neighbors, the Wampanoag (WAHM-pah-nawg). There were 70 Wampanoag villages!

Things hadn’t started well. When the Pilgrims had arrived from England, they had stolen corn from a Wampanoag village called Nauset. The Pilgrims and the people of Nauset had a big fight. After that, they stayed away from each other. But that was about to change.

John Billington was a curious and daring young Pilgrim. His town was surrounded by forests, and one day he got lost in the woods.

For five long days, he had nothing to eat but wild berries. He slept on the hard ground. Finally, John came across a Wampanoag village called Manomet. He was about 20 miles from home.

John was scared. Would the people in Manomet hurt him?

But they were kind. They gave him food and a safe place to sleep.

John Billington was young Pilgrim. He was curious and daring. His town was in the middle of forests. One day he got lost in the woods. 

For five long days, he only ate 

wild berries. He slept on the hard ground. Finally, John got to a Wampanoag village called Manomet. He was about 20 miles from home.

John was scared. Would the people in Manomet hurt him? 

But they were kind. They gave him food. They gave him a place to sleep.

Men from Manomet took John from village to village. He didn’t speak Wampanoag, and none of the men spoke English well. John wasn’t sure where they were taking him. Was he getting closer to home? After a few days, they arrived in Nauset. That’s where the corn had been stolen. John was 60 miles from home.

He was relieved when he saw 10 Pilgrim men sail up in a small boat. The Manomet people had planned this peaceful meeting all along! The Pilgrims apologized and paid for the corn. Then they took John home.

After that, the Pilgrims and the Nauset were better neighbors. One lost boy had helped two groups make peace! 

Men from Manomet took John to other villages. He didn’t speak Wampanoag, and none of the men spoke English well. John didn’t know where they were going. Was he getting closer to home? After a few days, they got to Nauset. That’s where the corn had been stolen. John was 60 miles from home. 

Then he saw 10 Pilgrim men sail up in a small boat. John was happy. The Manomet people had planned this peaceful meeting! The Pilgrims said they were sorry. They paid for the corn. Then they took John home. 

After that, the Pilgrims and the Nauset were better neighbors. One lost boy had helped two groups get along!