"AHDOOLO!" THE STORY OF MATTHEW HENSON

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SCENE TWO

NARRATOR TWO: The small ship was made with egg shaped sides to help it avoid being crushed by the ice. Robert Peary had designed the ship after several failed attempts earlier to reach the Pole.

NARRATOR ONE: The weather in the Arctic is fierce, cold and unpredictable. The men change into their winter wear. Henson, who didn't have much money at the time, learned to make his own winter wear. Later, he also made clothing for his friends the Eskimos.

NARRATOR TWO: Henson, Peary and their crew arrived in Greenland one year later. ( Peary and Henson should be looking out of telescopes out over the ocean and Peary asks Matt, are we close to Greenland)

NARRATOR FIVE: The Eskimos loved Henson because he was a well rounded, intelligent and knowledgeable man. Henson stood for courage and bravery. The Kabloona man, who came to the Arctic often acted as if they were superior to the Eskimos. However, Henson knew he and Peary would need help from the Eskimos if they were to succeed with their expedition! ( This scene is where the Eskimos greet Henson and Peary when they first arrive. A lot of hand shakes. Henson is the only one speaking Inuit to his friends the Eskimos. Henson translates for Peary)

NARRATOR ONE: The Eskimos had built a remarkable culture that enabled them to survive in one of the harshest environments on earth. ( This scene is where the Eskimos show off their igloos to Henson , Peary and the crew members and how to make them)

NARRATOR THREE: Because of the color of Henson's skin, the Eskimos thought Henson was some how related to them. They warmly welcomed Henson into their world and lives! (This scene involves Henson and an Eskimo touching each others face as they discover their similitaries in skin, hair etc.)

NARRATOR TWO: Henson looked at the Eskimos differently, too. Perhaps because he, too, had been discriminated against. In this case, to be discriminated against means to be judged negatively simply because of the color of ones skin. Here, in Greenland, Henson felt he belonged and accepted. ( Henson and Eskimo still examine one another)

MATTHEW HENSON:" Mr. Peary, are we ready to build our expedition headquarters?" (Peary is looking at a map and responds)

ROBERT PEARY: "Yes, Matt. We will add a little more to this wonderful site that your friends the Eskimos have built. We will call this camp our parties headquarters. We will name it Anniversary Lodge. This is where my wedding took place on an earlier journey. This is a good location with good memories of my family". (Matt begins to move cargo around as Peary is responding to his question)

NARRATOR TWO: Peary's plan was essentially the same as the last time. He and the Eskimos would spend the summer months setting up caches out on the ice, stocking up on food and materials needed to prepare for their final attempt at the pole. Matt would use his carpentry skills to make sledges and spend his time training the less experienced men of the group on dog handling and how to drive a sledge through the ice pack. ( While the narrator reads this line, Matt and Peary are moving toward the igloos and begin to unpack items. Slowly, they begin to sit down on the floor next to their igloos.)

Teachers Page | Curriculum | Scene One | Scene Two | Scene Three | Scene 4 & 5 | Scene 6 | Scene 7 | Cast of characters & Props