Dressed Like a Pilgrim

(Inspired by the Book  Molly's Pilgrim, by Barbara Cohen.)

 

It was Thanksgiving Afternoon, and Leah and Clarice were in the parlor, waiting their turn.  Since there were thirteen girls in the Big House, they took it in shifts to eat their Thanksgiving Dinner.  The two girls were going to be joined in their shift by Gila and Nellie.

“Nellie is in the kitchen, tending to our turkey,” said Leah, “but where is Gila?”

“I heard her say that she was going to be the Thanksgiving Pilgrim Girl for us this year,” said Clarice, “but our Pilgrim Girl costumes are still in the costume wardrobe, both the Traditional one and the Plymouth Colony Separatist one.”

 

Gila came into the parlor.  “Happy Thanksgiving to you!  The dining room table have I just set, and zitsn we can.”

Leah was mildly perplexed.  “I haven’t seen you wear that frock for a long time.  I thought you were going to be our Pilgrim Girl.”

“I am your Pilgrim Girl,” replied Gila, “This kleyd I had when first to this country I came.  Like the Pilgrims of old my home I left, and to this land I came, persecution to flee and freedom to find.”

“This is why Thanksgiving is my holiday beliebt, after Pesach.  It is the holiday of the immigrants.  I am thankful that peace and freedom have I found here.””

“Well, we’re thankful that you have found them living with us,” said Leah.

“And” said Clarice, “I'm thankful that how you are dressed has nothing to do with Puritans or Separatists, so if Jane sees you, she can’t say anything against it!  Let’s go eat!”