Part 3

The story of Columbus is a story of romance, of patient perseverance, of high endeavor, of noble resolve--a story that grips and thrills. Every boy and every girl who feels the story wants to discover a new world; and out of that desire may well come the discovery of America--its aims, ideals, opportunities. The Columbus Day program is an opportunity to discover the new world into which we are emerging. Even childhood in the school may come to glimpse that which lies beyond and feel the exultation of the sailor who cried, "Land! Land!"

The materials of this program are largely suggestive. It is hoped that they may be of service in program making from kindergarten to high school.

The school program of most value is that which results from the creative genius of the children themselves. Let children live the life of Columbus in imagination and they will create their own program and express it in costume, tableaux, music, composition, acting, and dialog. The merit of the Columbus Day program will lie in its leading children, through their own expression, to a better understanding of their country, to a broader conception of patriotism.

SUBJECTS FOR COMPOSITION OR ORAL REPORTS

Marco Polo A flat world The new idea--sailing west to reach the east The dangers of the western sea The attempted mutiny (See Irving's "Life of Columbus") The signs of land Columbus in chains San Salvador October 12, 1492 The Columbian Exposition, 1892 The discovery of America, 1919 What Columbus would do today

A Little Program for Columbus Day

Recitation

(By three boys bearing the American flag, the Spanish flag, and a drum)

_1st_--We are jolly little sailors; Join us as we come; We'll bear the flag of proud old Spain, And we will beat a drum!

_2d_--We are jolly little sailors, And we pause to say, We raise the bonny flag of Spain Upon Columbus Day.

_3d_--We are jolly little sailors; Raise the red, the white, the blue; Though we honor brave Columbus, To our own flag we are true.

_All_--(Beat drum and wave flag) Salute the banners, one and all, O raise them once again; Salute the red, the white, the blue, Salute the flag of Spain! For countries old and countries new, We will wave the red, the white, the blue!

Recitation

(By eight girls carrying banners that bear letters spelling "Columbus")

C Columbus sailed o'er waters blue, O On and on to countries new. L Long the ships sailed day and night, U Until at last land came in sight. M Many hearts were filled with fear, B But the land was drawing near. U Upon the ground they knelt at last S So their dangers all were past.

_All_ Wave the banners bright and gay, We meet to keep Columbus Day.

Crowning Columbus

(Recitation by four children. Picture of Columbus on easel. Children place on it evergreen and flower wreaths and flags)

_1st_--Crown him with a wreath of evergreen, The very fairest ever seen-- Our brave Columbus.

_2d_--Crown him with flowers fresh and fair; We'll place them by his picture there-- Our brave Columbus.

_3d_--Crown him with the flag of Spain; Columbus day has come again-- Our brave Columbus.

_4th_--Crown him with red, and white, and blue; Bring out the drum and banners too-- Our brave Columbus.

_All_--As we stand by his picture here, Columbus' name we all revere-- Our brave Columbus.

What We Can Do

(Recitation by two small boys, carrying flag)

1. I wish I could do some great deed-- Just find a world or two, So that the flag might wave for me As for Columbus true.

It makes a small child very sad To think all great deeds done. What is then left for us to do? What's to be tried and won?

2. My father says--and he knows too, For he's a grown up man-- That heroes leave some things for us To carry out their plan.

He says that if we do our best, Just where we are, you see, We too shall serve our country's flag; True patriots we shall be.

_Both._ We'll love our flag, we'll keep its pledge; We'll honor and obey; We'll love our fellow brothers all; And serve our land this way.

Recitation

(By a very small child, carrying a flag)

My beautiful flag, You are waving today, To honor a hero true; Columbus who gave us Our dear native land, Our land of the Red, White and Blue.

Recitation

(By a very small child, carrying a flag)

I'll wave my flag for Discovery Day, And before I get frightened I'll scamper away.

Columbus Game

The children stand in a circle. They choose one to represent Columbus. The children all sing the song (given below). As they sing the fifth line Columbus points to three children, who become the Nina (baby), the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. These three children come inside the circle, and wave arms up and down as though sailing. The children now all repeat the song, marching round in the circle, waving arms up and down, and the children inside the circle skip round also.

The song is then repeated, children standing in a circle, and the three chosen as Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria choose three children to take their places by pointing at any three children in the circle.

Game may continue as long as desired or until all have had a chance to go inside the circle.[A]

[A] The story of Columbus may be dramatized in connection with this game.

Song

Columbus was a sailor boy, Many years ago. A great ship was the sailor's joy, Many years ago. The Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria, Little vessels three, The Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria, Sailed out across the sea.

_Laura Rountree Smith_

My Little Ship

Once I made a little ship, Down beside the sea; And I said, "Come now, dear winds, And blow it back to me!" O little ship that sails the sea. O wind that blows it back to me!

Song

_Tune, Lightly Row_

Wave the flags, wave the flags; We are sailor boys at play; Wave the flags, wave the flags, On Columbus Day. O'er the waters we will go, Singing, singing, as we row; Wave the flags to and fro, On Columbus Day. (_Children wave flags_)

Cross the flags, cross the flags, With their pretty colors gay; Cross the flags, cross the flags, On Columbus Day. We would like to sail, 'tis true, O'er the waters bright and blue, So we cross the flags for you On Columbus Day. (_Children cross flags_)

_Laura Rountree Smith_

Recitation for Very Little Boys

_1st_--Columbus was a sailor bold, At least that's what I have been told.

_2d_--I would also like to sail the sea, If not too far from mother's knee.

_3d_--He had three ships to sail the sea, One ship would be enough for me.

_4th_--In the Nina I would go; But what if stormy winds should blow?

_5th_--In the Pinta I'll set sail; That ship has weathered many a gale.

_6th_--The Santa Maria waits for me; O how I love to sail the sea.

_7th_--At night we'll glide across the foam, But wish ourselves quite safe at home.

_8th_--Kind friends, I hope you understand, We are really happier far on land.

(_All join hands and run to seats_)

Then come, dear sailors, hand in hand, We'll run to seek the nearest land!

Play

(_Ferdinand and Isabella on their thrones, chairs with a red drapery concealing them._)

_Enter Columbus and followers, bowing low_

_Columbus_

O most gracious majesties!

_Ferdinand_

My wise men say your scheme is vain, So your plan I must disdain; If as _you_ say this earth is round No one could stay upon the ground.

(_Bows his head and looks very wise. Columbus looks sadly around and sighs. Queen Isabella stretches forth her hand._)

_Queen_

I have talked to the Abbot kind, And he has made me change my mind. Take these and these (_dropping her bracelets and necklaces into Columbus' hat_) and may you be, Successful in your quest at sea.

_Columbus and followers_

Long live, long live Isabella the queen! Such generous faith has seldom been seen. Long live, long live Isabella the queen!

_All_ (_except Columbus, who bows as he listens_)

Here's to Columbus, so brave and so true, Who will soon sail west on the ocean blue To--find--the--land--of--India.

_Headed by king and queen all march around and off_

_One returns_

Columbus safely made his voyage And now, though he never knew it, He discovered this land, the fair land of our birth, The greatest nation on all the earth.

(_Displays flag_)

_All except Columbus return and sing America_

_Mary R. Campbell_

Recitation

(_By three boys_)

_1st_--Columbus dared to cross the sea Where none had gone before; And sailing west from Palos, Spain, He came to our front door.

_2d_--His men were only prisoners Queen Isabel set free; For other men, they did not dare To cross the unknown sea.

_3d_--He had no friend to share his hope; No one could understand; Now all men honor his great name, Who first saw our dear land.

_All_--If we can only be as true To our best selves as he, Speak truth, keep faith, be brave and pure, True heroes we shall be.

Discovery Day

I wonder what Columbus Would think of us today, Just stepping out from '92, Four centuries on, we'll say.

With aeroplanes and warships, And submarine affairs, He'd surely think the mighty sea Was putting on some airs.

Discovery Day, we greet you; You're only just begun; Industry, art, and science now, Begin their race to run.

But brighter than these wonders, More beautiful to see, Democracy's fair smile begins To dawn o'er land and sea.

Discovery Day! When Freedom Shall reign in every land, When nations know their brotherhood, And naught but good is grand.

America, thy mission Be this: discover now A _world_ safe for Democracy. 'Tis ours to teach it how.

The Flag of Spain

_Tune--Long, Long Ago_

There was a flag that waved all over Spain Long, long ago; long, long ago. And many sailors had gone forth in vain, Long, long ago, long ago. Then came the ships and Columbus set sail; Proudly the vessels withstood every gale. Then came the cry, "Blessed land, land we hail," Long, long ago, long ago.

Columbus

A dreamer they called him, And mocked him to scorn, But O, through this dreamer A new world was born.

A new land whose watchword Is ringing afar-- "Democracy! Freedom!" That none shall dare mar.

A nation whose vision Is making it be Humanity's champion On land and on sea.

America, my land, A dream gave thee birth; Through vision thou'st conquered In all realms of worth.

Thy spirit shall beckon Till all nations heed, And follow in wisdom The path thou dost lead.

CLASS EXERCISE FOR COLUMBUS DAY

The foundation for these exercises should be laid in previous class recitations and specially prepared class compositions which relate developing incidents in the life of Columbus. Several periods used in the preparation of these oral and written exercises will be time well spent. Select the composition which portrays the life pictures most clearly and effectively; and as the writer reads his story, let other members of the class give tableaux or act scenes apropos. The children should be encouraged to initiate their own ideas and execute their own mental pictures in costume, arrangement, facial expression, etc.

The following are mentioned _suggestively_:

Acts portraying the life of Columbus

1. Columbus, the boy

Boy of nine to eleven years, seated, intently studying a geography,

_or_

Boy whittling a wooden toy ship.

2. Columbus, the man

Larger boy, posing as a dreamer, gazing at and studying the stars, _or_

Larger boy drawing maps, appearing wise and thoughtful.

(Let others stand aside, smiling and mockingly pointing.)

3. Columbus' appearance before King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella

King and Queen, dressed in royal style, on improvised throne; Columbus kneeling before them; the queen offering him her jewels.

4. On shipboard

Boys representing mutinous sailors, their faces depicting fear, anger, dejection--dressed sailor fashion.

Columbus displaying confidence, courage and patience--dressed in short full trousers, cape over his shoulders thrown back on one side. Let facial expressions and actions change to show land has been sighted.

5. The landing

Columbus planting the flag of Spain in the New World. Sailors (all with uncovered heads) kneeling. Indians (let the boys wear Indian suits) watching from the outskirts, one falling down in worship.

6. The return reception

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella on throne, dressed as before, with guards on either side. Ladies-in-waiting, noblemen, etc., dressed in 15th century style, grouped about. Columbus enters (to music). All bow low except king and queen, who rise to meet him. Columbus kneels before them, kisses the queen's hand and rises.

Indians enter (with bow and arrow) and gaze in wonder about. One Indian plucks Columbus by sleeve and gruntingly interrogates him concerning some wonder in the room--a picture of the king and queen, decorated with Spanish flags. The king takes the hand of the Indian, places it in Columbus' hand and, covering them with his own left hand, raises the right to signify his blessing upon the newly found land.

Music gives the signal for the recessional. All fall into line and march out--guards, king, queen, Columbus, ladies, and courtiers. The Indians follow irregularly.

THE BOY COLUMBUS

"'Tis a wonderful story," I hear you say, "How he struggled and worked and plead and prayed, And faced every danger undismayed, With a will that would neither break nor bend, And discovered a new world in the end-- But what does it teach to a boy of today? All the worlds are discovered, you know, of course, All the rivers are traced to their utmost source; There is nothing left for a boy to find, If he had ever so much a mind To become a discoverer famous; And if we'd much rather read a book About some one else, and the risks he took, Why nobody, surely, can blame us."

So you think all the worlds are discovered now; All the lands have been charted and sailed about, Their mountains climbed, their secrets found out; All the seas have been sailed and their currents known-- To the uttermost isles the winds have blown They have carried a venturing prow? Yet there lie all about us new worlds, everywhere, That await their discoverer's footfall; spread fair Are electrical worlds that no eye has yet seen, And mechanical worlds that lie hidden serene And await their Columbus securely. There are new worlds in Science and new worlds in Art, And the boy who will work with his head and his heart Will discover his new world surely.

COLUMBUS AND THE EGG

One day Columbus was at a dinner which a Spanish gentleman had given in his honor, and several persons were present who were jealous of the great Admiral's success. They were proud, conceited fellows, and they very soon began to try to make Columbus uncomfortable.

"You have discovered strange lands beyond the seas," they said, "but what of that? We do not see why there should be so much said about it. Anybody can sail across the ocean; and anybody can coast along the islands on the other side, just as you have done. It is the simplest thing in the world."

Columbus made no answer; but after a while he took an egg from a dish and said to the company:

"Who among you, gentlemen, can make this egg stand on end?"

One by one those at the table tried the experiment. When the egg had gone entirely around and none had succeeded, all said that it could not be done.

Then Columbus took the egg and struck its small end gently upon the table so as to break the shell a little. After that there was no trouble in making it stand upright.

"Gentlemen," said he, "what is easier than to do this which you said was impossible? It is the simplest thing in the world. Anybody can do it--after he has been shown how!"

COLUMBUS DAY

(_Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Normal School_)

This entertainment is simply an attempt to give a few of the most dramatic incidents in the life of Columbus as connected with his discovery of the New World. Other scenes could be readily added, although it would require some care to avoid an anti-climax.

A. In Spain at the Council of Salamanca

Before this scene is presented give a brief explanation and description of the early life of Columbus and his attempts to obtain aid.

_Characters_: Churchmen and counselors at the court of Spain (seven to ten) and Columbus.

_Costumes_: The _churchmen_ are dressed in long black garments, except two, who have black capes with white underneath. Columbus wears a long, black garment or coat, which plainly shows the poverty of its owner.

_Tableau I--Columbus before the Council at Salamanca_

The characters are arranged somewhat as in a picture of this scene found in the Perry pictures. A picture of this scene is also found in Lossing's History of the United States, volume I. Only the chief characters are shown in this tableau. Three churchmen or counselors are in center near Columbus; two at left, one pointing mockingly, or making fun of Columbus; two stand haughtily in the back, and there may also be two or three at right. Columbus has a partly open roll of parchment in one hand and is pointing with the other. One of the churchmen in the center has an open Bible in his hand, and another has a book which he is holding out to Columbus.

B. On Shipboard

_Characters_: Columbus, the mate, other sailors.

_Costumes_: Columbus, red cape; sailors, sweaters and sailor caps.

_Tableau II--Nearing Land; Columbus and the Mate_

The conversation in Joaquin Miller's "Columbus" takes place between Columbus and mate. The sailors are in the background, one holding a lantern. Between the different parts of his conversation with Columbus, the mate goes to consult with the sailors. The last stanza of the poem is given by some one from the wings. When the reader reaches the line, "A light! A light!" Columbus and the mate change their position. Columbus points and the mate raises his arm, peering forward. (Picture in "Leading Facts of American History," by Montgomery, revised edition. Also in "Stepping Stones of American History.")

C. In the new world

_Characters_: Columbus, three noblemen, eight sailors, six Indians.

_Costumes_: Columbus and the noblemen wear the Spanish costume of the fifteenth century (described later). Sailors wear sweaters and sailor caps made from blue, red or grey cambric. Indians wear Indian suits (nearly all boys have or may obtain them from any clothing store). They carry bows and arrows or tomahawks. The spears and swords for this and the following scene are made from wood, bronzed to look like silver. The tall cross is made of wood and stained with shellac. The banner of the expedition is white, with a green cross. Over the initials F and Y (Ferdinand and Ysabella) are two gilt crowns.

_Tableau III--The landing of Columbus_

The characters are posed from Vanderlyn's painting of the scene in the Capitol at Washington. Reproductions are found in many histories and among the Perry pictures. Columbus holds the banner of the expedition in one hand, and a drawn sword in the other. One of the men has a tall staff with the top in form of a cross; two others hold tall spears. The Indians are peering out at the white men from the sides of the stage; one of them is down on the stage with his head bowed on his hands, worshipping the strangers; the others seem to be full of fear and curiosity.

D. At Barcelona in Spain

Before this scene is presented a description of the reception of Columbus by the king and queen upon his return to Spain is given. This scene is more elaborate than any of the others.

_Characters and costumes_: Queen, red robe, purple figured front; collar and trimmings of ermine. She wears a crown. Ermine is made of cotton with little pieces of black cloth sewed on it, crown of cardboard covered with gilt paper. Dress cheesecloth with a front of silkoline.

King wears purple full, short trousers (trunks), purple doublet, purple cape and gilt crown. The trousers and cape are trimmed with ermine.

The two guards have black trousers (trunks) and red capes, collars, and knee pieces made from silver paper; they wear storm hats covered with silver paper, and carry spears.

The two ladies-in-waiting wear dresses fixed to resemble the dress of the period. They have high headpieces shaped like cornucopias, made from cardboard covered with gilt paper, and with long veils draped over them; this was one style of headpiece worn in the fifteenth century.

The eight churchmen, eight sailors and six Indians are dressed as in previous scenes.

The little page of Columbus is dressed in his own white suit.

Columbus wears grey and red clothing. The ten noblemen wear combinations of bright colors.

The general plan in regard to the dress of the Spanish nobility in the time of Columbus is to have the full, short trousers (trunks) made of one color and slashed with another; the upper garment or doublet made of figured silkoline; the cape of one color lined with another, worn turned back over one shoulder; pointed collars and cuffs of white glazed or silver paper; and soft felt hats with plumes. Each nobleman carries a sword.

The gold brought by the sailors may be made by gilding stones.

_Tableau IV--Reception of Columbus by King and Queen_

In center of stage is raised platform or throne with two or three steps leading up to it: this throne is covered with figured raw silk (yellow and brown). Chairs are placed on throne for king and queen.

The scene is an attempt to represent the reception of Columbus on his return to Spain after his first voyage. (See painting by Ricardo Balaca, the Spanish artist, of Columbus before Ferdinand and Isabella at Barcelona.)

A march may be played on the piano while the different characters in the tableau come on the stage and take their proper positions. First the two royal guards march to the throne, taking positions one on each side, so that the king and queen may pass between them in mounting the platform. They are followed by the king and queen, and then the ladies-in-waiting. The king and queen mount the platform and take seats; the ladies wait in front of the platform until the king and queen are seated, then they take positions on each side of the throne. The guards, after the king and queen are seated, take positions on the platform in the rear. All these come as one group in the procession, with only a little space between them.

Next come the churchmen. One of them carries the tall cross. They take their places at the right of the queen.

The Indians come, shuffling across the stage to the extreme left of the king and queen. Of course they know nothing of keeping time to the music or paying homage to royalty.

The sailors march upon the stage, each bringing something from the New World--gold, a stuffed bird, or some product. Each in turn approaches the king and queen, kneels, and then places whatever he carries at the side of the platform, and takes his place on the left.