Tatu [3] -- Dictated

[circleoflife]

Thanksgiving is a holiday in the USA and Canada when people give thanks. It is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday of November in the USA and on the second Monday of October in Canada.

[A pause, and then:]

Although not as famous, the first "day of Thanksgiving" actually took place at Berkeley Hundred, Virginia in 1619 - a year before the Mayflower brought the Pilgrims to Massachusetts.

The Pilgrims were early settlers on the east coast of North America. They traveled from England on a ship called the Mayflower and made their new home in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, 380 km northeast of what is now New York.

Many of the Pilgrims died during their first winter in North America. They were cold and did not have enough food. The following year, though, the Native Americans, who were from the... Wampanoag tribe, helped them grow crops. At harvest time in the winter of 1621, they were very thankful that they had a good crop of food to eat during the coming winter. They thanked God and the Native Americans for teaching them how to grow the local foods.

[The careful, deliberate tone then drops to something more conversational. It's easy to tell that Mufasa had been previously reading from a book.]

Do you find yourself thankful for the food that is supplied here, Paradisa? As I've come to understand, the food here has seemingly no origin-- either you can simply wish for it to your heart's content, or you may retrieve it from the... [Give him a moment to remember the word] Ah! Refrigerator.

It is easy to forget the value of things when they are provided to you at no cost. [And what, indeed, provided the food in the first place? But that was a topic for another time.] Food, shelter, good weather, even entertainment... and friends and family, as well. It is not as though we no longer enjoy these things-- we merely forget to pause and realize how lucky we are to have them.

I've a couple of questions for you, Paradisa. What is it that you are most thankful for? And what is it that you intend to do this Thanksgiving?

Comments

dictated forever

[ftssusstgsetfwe]

That's really interesting! I like learning about new things like this...

I'm thankful for people. All of them, even the dangerous ones, I guess. It's just... Nice to be around people.

Re: dictated forever

[circleoflife]

As do I.

[Thankful for people, hm? What an interesting response; one that makes him smile.]

It is nice to be around people, isn't it? They bring much life into our lives.

dictated forever

[ftssusstgsetfwe]

You're... The lion, right? [He sounds familiar.] We could go to the library together sometime, if you want.

Yes! They do; it's... So exciting!

dictateeeeed

[is_mafia]

...I have never celebrated Thanksgiving, as I am not from the United States.

But I understand the sentiment of being thankful. I'm thankful for quite a few things. My family, for one.

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed

[circleoflife]

[Ah... Giotto had mentioned his family upon his arrival to Paradisa as well. It was nice to see someone with so much devotion to the ones they loved.]

Family is a good choice. It is both our strength, and our support.

[...Two months, since he's seen his own family. His beloved mate, whom he could not place a name to; and his son, his future so terribly uncertain with Mufasa's untimely demise.]

Do you miss them, Giotto?

[Dictated]

[biggestdreamer]

I've never celebrated that, but it sounds like an amazing holiday!

[Takato hesitates.]

I guess I'm thankful for the friends I've met here. And that I got to see Guilmon again one more time. Even though we couldn't stay together long.

[Dictated]

[circleoflife]

Ah, yes. The friendships we form here, or anywhere, are most invaluable.

If you are not acquainted with the holiday, young Takato, then perhaps you have a friend who is. After all, Thanksgiving is the holiday to be shared among friends and family.

[schrodingersghost]

Hiding in my room and hoping that I'll get to skip the revenge of the ghost turkeys this year.

[circleoflife]

[..... oh-kay, Mufasa can say with certainty that that was not a response he was expecting.]

Pardon?

[nihilo]

The one who told you forgot to mention that one feels most thankful only after the feast.

[circleoflife]

[Okay, that gets a laugh out of him.] I may just have to agree with that!

[pompous_today]

I am thankful for my sister- and knowing that she is safe, even though she is not here. And for all of the people I have met here who have been so willing to reach out to one another.

[circleoflife]

I could not overstate the value of safety, nor generosity. Indeed, it is when we find ourselves in such uncertain and unfamiliar circumstances, that both of these values are so invaluable.

[doublethefun]

[a flowing script appears across the page. It's undeniably old fashioned, but still legible. Mostly.]

Second chances.

always dictated

[circleoflife]

Ah. A fresh slate, as it were. I think everyone is thankful of the second chance that they are given here, no matter who they are.

[optimystic]

[oh hey, that guy she talked to on the journal...]

Definitely my friends and family.

[circleoflife]

Good things to be thankful for. Will you spend this Thanksgiving with them, then?

Why do I picture Mufasa wearing glasses while he's reading?

[ninjainviolet]

I'm thankful for all my friends--past and present.

[Even Zelos. But don't tell him.]

ONE DAY.

[circleoflife]

It is good to remember all of those who have done well by you.

[cyan_maid]

Definitely my family and friends, and all the folks here who I've gotten to meet.

What about you, Mufasa?

[circleoflife]

Many people seem to share the same sentiment as you, Miss Jane. I suppose I'll be the odd one out, in that case-- I am grateful for the relative peaceful state that the castle assumes, such as now, and for the people who are willing to band together during the other times.

[glowingtroll]

I Am Assuming That This Is A Human Holiday
We Did Not Have Anything Like It On Alternia
Most Trolls Are Loath To Thank Anyone Else For Anything
Thus I Am Not Sure What I Will Be Doing Here For The Holiday
I Imagine It Will Be Like Any Other Day

But You Asked What I Am Thankful For
I Suppose I Am Thankful That I Have Survived
And For The Things I Have Leaned
And While It Came At A Very Steep Cost I Am Thankful I Got To Meet The Humans

[circleoflife]

You are correct; it is, indeed, a human holiday.

Ah. Perhaps the thing that we should all be grateful for the most, hm? The simple idea that we are alive. [M...aybe. Mufasa wasn't sure what he was.]

And indeed, humans are a fascinating species. I must say, were it not for them, I would know much less than I do today.

Dictated

[loveisabattlefield]

We don't have Thanksgiving in Equestria, but it's great to hear about it! Humans have very wonderful holidays.

I think I'm most thankful for my loved ones. Good friends and company will always have value, no matter where you go.

Dictated

[circleoflife]

I admit, I am a bit new to the topic of human holidays, myself. So far I've heard of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I suppose I wouldn't be incorrect in assuming that there are more.

Indeed, they do. Whether close to home or far from it, they remain a happy constant, if not physically, then in our hearts.