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"AHDOOLO!" THE STORY OF MATTHEW HENSON |
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SCENE SEVEN: NARRATOR FOUR: On the afternoon of April 06, 1909 when Henson stopped for a rest, he realized that he made a mistake. If his calculation was correct, he had not only REACHED THE POLE, BUT GoNE BEYOND IT! (The narrator should read this line and put extra emphasis on it while saying it) (This scene also calls for Henson to be walking back and forth rubbing his head and turning around and around. The Eskimos are looking at Matt in a state of confusion. Robert Peary arrives on the scene) MATTHEW HENSON: Commander Peary, I believe I'VE FOUND THE POLE! We are here! This must be it! ( Again the narrator must put emphasis on Matt saying that HE found the pole) (The two men are standing beside each other and the Eskimos are watching still in a state of confusion) ROBERT PEARY: Let us see, Matt. (Peary digs down in his pouch and gets out an instrument, his sextant,to take the reading) NARRATOR ONE: The commander of the expedition took out his instruments, took his readings and announced in a matter of fact voice... ROBERT PEARY: At last, after so many years of hardship, we have reached our destination! (Peary shakes Henson's hand) MATTHEW HENSON: ( turns to the Eskimos) " We have found what we hunt". (He also says it in Inuit) MATTHEW HENSON: Commander Peary, the Eskimos say they don't understand our excitement, it's only ice! (All of the men laugh and shout for joy!) ROBERT PEARY: (After the laughter) "I understand, Matt. Let's break the ice and do a sounding to double check. ( Henson hands Peary some rope and the men act as if they are breaking the ice and they do a sounding) PEARY CONTINUES: " It is reading at 9,000 feet." MATTHEW HENSON: Commander Peary, I am surprised! I had not thought the ocean would be so deep at the Pole!" ROBERT PEARY: " We are definitely here! We are at the top of the world! We have discovered the North Pole! Thank you, Matt! YOU AND YOUR ESKIMO FRIENDS BROKE THE TRAIL THAT LEAD US HERE! YOU DID IT! YOU REACHED HERE FIRST!!. YOU DISCOVERED THE NORTH POLE !!! I could not have done it without you and your friends the Eskimos! Thank you. ( The narrator should put great emphasis on the highlighted parts when Peary speaks about Matt reaching the pole first) (The men are shaking each others hands and the Eskimos are delighted) NARRATOR FIVE: With an American flag in his hand, Henson climbed to the top of a near by pressure ridge. ( Henson motions for the Eskimos to join him in a picture being taken by Peary. All of the men line up beside Matt, each one holding a flag. Matt climbs on top of a milk crate covered with white paper to look like a block of ice, he holds up the American flag. Peary is standing taking the picture. This historical scene is found in any book on Matthew Henson to give you an idea.)
***** NARRATOR THREE: On April 06, 1909 Matthew Alexander Henson and Robert Peary made it to the North Pole. Matthew Henson discovered the pole. It was almost effortless compared to the difficult trips of past years. NARRATOR ONE: When the expedition returned from the pole, Peary won great acclaim as the conqueror of the North Pole. Henson who had no official rank, was virtually ignored! He did not get the credit or recognition he deserved for his untiring efforts. NARRATOR TWO: This was completely unfair, of course. For many times it had been only Henson's courage and intelligence that saved the expedition from disaster. NARRATOR THREE: Only late in his life did Henson receive the recognition he deserved for his part in discovering the North Pole. In 1954, he was asked to address the explorers club on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the discovery of the Pole. In addition, President Dwight D. Eisenhower invited him to the White House. NARRATOR FOUR: During his final years, Henson took satisfaction in his own knowledge of all that he had achieved. If any one doubted him, there was always a picture Peary had taken at the North Pole. NARRATOR FIVE: Henson went to work with the U.S. Customs Bureau, and he lived a long, rich, and full life until his death in 1955 at the age of 88. He rests besides Commander Robert Peary in Arlington National Cemetery. NARRATOR FOUR: Today, Henson is remembered for braving an often hostile world with strength and courage. There are schools named after him, numerous books have been written about him, there is a Naval Ship named in his honor, statues, web sites, and much, much more too numerous to mention. NARRATOR ONE: For years afterward, the Eskimos told legends about a very great man they named "MIY PALUK". The Eskimos even added Henson's created word to their language. The word Ahdoolo came to stand for a very special kind of courage. It was used not only to mean bravery and endurance, but also to mean having the ability to face the greatest challenges with hope and Good spirits. It is a fitting word with which to remember Matthew Alexander Henson, an Afro-American Hero! END. Teachers Page | Curriculum | Scene One | Scene Two | Scene Three | Scene 4 & 5 | Scene 6 | Scene 7 | Cast of characters & Props |
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This website desires to be a living memorial to Matthew Henson. Your
class can always send artwork, book reports or email questions about
Matt. Student artwork is posted at kidsart.htm, email is at Matt's
Post Office.
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