In Pilgrim Times

By Bertra Mason Kusik

Pilgrim boys and Pilgrim girls

All had their daily chores—

Boots to grease, yarn to spin,

And wood to chop outdoors.

The boys caught oysters, fish, and clams

And tapped the maple trees.

The girls baked bread and pumpkin pies,

And picked tart cranberries.

Pilgrim boys and Pilgrim girls

Sat still through three-hour prayers.

Their meetinghouse was bare and cold;

They sat on wooden chairs.

But when all chores and prayers were done

And it was time to stop,

There were Indian friends for fun and games

And fragrant corn to pop.

Illustrated by Colleen Hinckley