Take-Home Script: Work or Starve
Work or Starve: Captain John Smith and the
Jamestown Colony, 1607—1609
By Debra J. Housel
Characters
Narrator
George Dutton
Pocahontas
Edward Wingfield
Captain John Smith
William Brownfield
Setting
This reader’s theater takes place aboard the ship, Susan Constant,
and in the Jamestown Colony of Virginia. This story is based on
actual events.
Act 1
Narrator:
Two men and a boy stand on the deck of one of three ships
that left England on December 20, 1606. The ships are
carrying four boys and over one hundred men to the New
World.
William:
Is there any sign of land?
George:
Not so far.
Edward:
We had better get there soon. Our water and food supplies
are running dangerously low.
George:
And we need to find land in time to plant the crops. Six
weeks on the sea without wind destroyed our schedule.
William:
How is John Smith doing?
Edward:
As well as can be expected, considering the brute is in
shackles and chains.
George:
Captain Newport had to contain him. The talk of mutiny was
too dangerous.
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Take-Home Script: Work or Starve
William:
But nobody knows for sure that he was planning a mutiny.
Edward:
Are you questioning the captain’s judgment, boy? Must I
remind you that the Virginia Company put Captain Newport
in charge of this expedition until we reach the New World?
You are but a child. Leave these matters to men.
William:
I beg your pardon, sir. It’s just that there’s talk of hanging
John Smith as soon as we reach shore.
George:
Well, he won’t be executed if I have anything to say about it.
He is the type of man that we will need in an unknown land
full of savages.
Edward:
Even if he lives, I doubt he’ll be of any use in our venture.
Act 2
Narrator:
On April 26, 1607, land is finally sighted. The men use
smaller boats to explore the James River. They name it in
honor of the British King James I.
George:
It’s time to open the sealed box to find out who is in charge
of this colony.
Narrator:
The list names six aristocrats, with Edward Wingfield as the
president of the council. The last name shocks everyone.
Edward:
John Smith? There must be some mistake!
William:
Smith is not an aristocrat—he’s a soldier! How can he help
to govern this colony?
George:
He has experience in dangerous and difficult situations.
During the Long War he was captured and made a slave.
But he killed his master and escaped on foot across Russia
to be reunited with his regiment. John Smith is a bold man
and a survivor.
Edward:
I refuse to allow him on the council. If it weren’t for Captain
Newport defending him, we would have hung Smith when we
landed in the West Indies. I’ll have no criminal on my
council.
Poem: Beware of Captain Smith!
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Act 3
Narrator:
The settlers choose a site for the colony before John Smith
comes ashore. The area is a swamp. When John Smith is
shown the site, he is very upset.
John:
This is not a good site for our settlement! We cannot survive
on the river water—it’s brackish! We need to settle some
place where there’s a fresh water supply nearby.
Edward:
You don’t know what you’re talking about. This site is
perfect. Besides, no one asked for your opinion.
John:
We need to make sharp wooden stakes and use them to
build a strong fort.
Edward:
What for? The Indians we have met are very pleasant.
Besides, we don’t have time to waste on building a fort.
We’re here to find the New World’s riches—and those that
do shall share in the wealth.
John:
We need to plant our crops right away, so we’ll have food
this winter.
Edward:
You go right ahead, Smith. I’ve got more important things to
do.
Act 4
Narrator:
On May 26, Indians attack Jamestown. Two colonists are
killed, and ten are injured. An arrow pierces the beard of
Jamestown’s president, Edward Wingfield.
George:
John Smith was right when he said we would need a fort.
Edward:
Yes, so he was. I guess I’ll invite him to join the council.
Narrator:
John Smith shares his ideas—and this time the men listen.
John:
We need to stop seeking treasure. We must plant crops and
build sturdy homes.
Edward:
Who’s going to do those things? We didn’t bring any
farmers or laborers with us. Few of us know how to fish,
farm, or build. Indeed, such labor is beneath our social
status.
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John:
Hunger and cold care not about social status—as you’ll
discover come this winter.
Edward:
The investors of the Virginia Company funded this venture.
They said nothing about planting, hunting, or building. They
hired us to find gold. And King James I ordered us to find a
passage to the South Sea. Those are our priorities, Captain
Smith.
Act 5
Narrator:
In the summer of 1607, many of the settlers die from malaria
spread by mosquito bites. By the end of September, only 38
men are alive.
William:
We’re lucky to have you, Captain Smith. We would not be
alive if it weren’t for you. And now you tell us you’ve learned
some of the Indians’ language.
John:
I had no choice but to learn how to communicate with the
Indians. I’ll have to do a lot of trading with them to get
enough food for us to survive until next spring. But for right
now, we need to improve our flimsy shelters before the snow
begins to fall.
George:
How can we do that when so many of us are sick and dying?
We can barely keep up with providing each man with a
proper grave.
Narrator:
By December 1607, the colonists are starving. Yet, the men
just wait for a supply ship from England. Only John Smith
and a few others hunt and fish for food.
John:
We can wait no longer! I’m going up the river to talk with the
Indians. We need to find some food before we all perish.
William:
What if the Indians won’t trade with you?
John:
Then I’ll take the food from them, if I must!
William:
Please take me with you, Captain Smith.
John:
No. This could be dangerous. We still can’t tell the
difference between friendly Indians and hostile ones until the
arrows start flying!
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Edward:
All right, Captain Smith. Take two men and go get us some
food.
John:
I swear that I’ll bring back food even if I must trade the shirt
off my back. However, I refuse to trade our weapons, for we
will be sorry if the Indians ever get a hold of our muskets or
cannons.
Act 6
Narrator:
John convinces the Indians from several nearby villages to
trade some of their corn for glass beads. Then the men sail
up the James. As they step ashore, a group of braves
surprises them. They kill John Smith’s companions. He is
taken hostage and marched to the greatest leader in the
area, Powhatan.
John:
Greetings. My name is Captain John Smith. What is yours?
Narrator:
Powhatan marvels at Smith’s boldness. Powhatan is the
head of 30 tribes; yet, this pale man shows no fear and
dares to ask his name! A young female Indian speaks to
John Smith.
Pocahontas:
My father is Powhatan, the greatest werowance. All other
werowances answer to him. Every person in this land pays
him homage, and you must do so as well.
Narrator:
Powhatan’s name is Wahunsonacock, but few people may
speak this name.
John:
Where am I?
Pocahontas:
Werowocomoco. My father lives here with his many wives
and all of his children. There are more than 30 of us.
John:
And who are you?
Pocahontas:
You may call me Pocahontas.
Narrator:
She tells him her nickname. Only her family members know
her real name—Matoaka. The Indians believed that if a
person knows your real name, he may work evil charms
against you.
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Pocahontas:
What are you doing in our land?
John:
Our ships were blown off course during a storm.
Pocahontas:
Do you intend to stay?
John:
No! We’re just stranded here until a ship returns to take us
home.
Pocahontas:
That explains why you’re so unprepared for survival.
John:
Why do you say that?
Pocahontas:
My father’s braves have been watching your village and
reporting to him that the members of your tribe cannot take
care of themselves. You have little food and poor shelter.
Many are dead.
John:
It is true that we have had some problems. I have come
here in the hopes of making a trade for corn.
Pocahontas:
You are completely out of food?
John:
Almost.
Narrator:
Powhatan thinks that these inept, hungry men pose no
threat. And now that he knows that they plan to leave, he
decides to befriend them.
Pocahontas:
What do you want to do with this man, my father?
Narrator:
Powhatan thinks that John Smith is the leader of Jamestown.
As such, Smith is dragged to a huge stone and forced to lay
his head on it. Two men stand over him and lift up their
clubs over his head. He closes his eyes, convinced he’s
about to die. Suddenly he feels a cool cheek pressed to his
own.
Pocahontas:
Now you are my brother, my countryman—forever!
John:
What?
Narrator:
Powhatan tells his men to free Smith. After this, Powhatan
adopts Smith as his son.
Pocahontas:
Your old life is over. You are now my father’s son, and I am
your sister. Powhatan will feed your people this winter—just
as he would do for any of his tribes in need.
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John:
That sounds wonderful. I am so grateful to you for saving
my life.
Pocahontas:
Powhatan says you should stay. My father wants to know
more about your people. Also, as the werowance of his
newest tribe, you must pay him tribute.
John:
What does Powhatan want for his tribute?
Pocahontas:
Some of our braves saw you blast a tree to pieces with a
thunder stick. Powhatan wants three of them. Also, he
wants three of the fire sticks your people have used to kill
people in nearby tribes.
John:
We have no fire sticks to spare. However, we would gladly
give Powhatan two thunder sticks.
Act 7
Narrator:
After four weeks with Powhatan, John Smith returns to
Jamestown with a group of braves. Powhatan’s braves can
move neither the cannon nor the grindstone. They leave to
report the bad news to Powhatan. The moment the braves
leave Jamestown, Edward Wingfield grabs John Smith.
Edward:
John Smith, I am placing you under arrest for murder!
William:
Murder? What are you saying? John Smith just saved us all
from starvation!
Edward:
He was responsible for the men under his command. They
are dead, and it is his fault. I say we try him for murder.
George:
This is insanity! The Indians attacked those men. John
Smith didn’t kill them. He’s lucky to have survived.
Edward:
That’s what he claims to have happened.
Narrator:
Edward Wingfield convinces others of John Smith’s guilt, and
he is sentenced to hang.
Act 8
George:
Look! I see sails on the horizon!
William:
It must be the supply ships! Hurray!
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Narrator:
On January 4, a ship arrives with 80 new colonists and a
great deal of food. All of the food is put into the town
storehouse. In the excitement, John Smith’s execution is
temporarily forgotten.
George:
One week of the new year is done.
William:
With all the food and new people, this year will be a lot better
than last year.
Edward:
Fire! Fire! Grab buckets, men! Bring water!
Narrator:
Since every man is needed to fight the fire, John Smith is
freed. But the storehouse and most of the village burns to
the ground. The colonists’ future looks bleak.
John:
Pocahontas! I’m very glad to see you!
Pocahontas:
As I am to see you, John. We saw the smoke and sent our
braves. They told us about your terrible fire, but do not
worry. We have brought your people food. But where did all
these people come from?
George:
They arrived on a ship just before the fire.
William:
They brought much food with them, but it was all lost in the
fire.
Pocahontas:
You told Powhatan that you would leave when a ship came!
Instead there are more people, and it appears as though you
intend to stay permanently.
John:
I am not the leader and do not make the decisions.
Pocahontas:
My father believes that you are, and he does not appreciate
lies.
John:
Pocahontas, little sister, please don’t be angry. Look here—I
have some beautiful beads that I have been saving just for
you.
Act 9
Narrator:
In spite of Powhatan’s suspicions that he had been lied to by
John Smith, he keeps his promise and feeds the colonists
until the spring of 1608.
George:
I am fed up with Edward Wingfield and the rest of the
council. The only reason we’re still alive is because the
Indians feed us. I don’t want to be dependent on them any
longer.
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John:
Most of these men have no acquaintance with work and
even less of an idea about what it will take to make this
colony a success. At the very least, we could fish for
something to eat.
William:
May I go fishing with you, Captain Smith?
John:
Yes, indeed. Let’s go. We’ll meet Pocahontas there.
Narrator:
While fishing, John Smith is stung by a stingray and almost
dies. When he regains consciousness, he eats the stingray!
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Narrator:
When Pocahontas tells Powhatan about this, he believes
Captain John Smith is a great and powerful man. Powhatan
knows of no one else who has survived a stingray’s poison.
Act 10
George:
I’m tired of this! The only thing these fools are interested in
is striking it rich! Here we are—wasting yet another summer
searching for silver and gold.
William:
I don’t care for silver or gold—for neither will fill my stomach
this winter. Riches will do us little good if we’re dead from
starvation.
Narrator:
At last, the members of Jamestown realize that something
must be done soon, or they will starve in the coming winter.
William:
I’m so glad that the men threw Edward Wingfield off the
council.
George:
Yes. The best thing we’ve done so far is elect John Smith as
the council president.
Narrator:
This happens on Sept 10, 1608. John Smith calls a meeting
of all members of the colony.
John:
It is now illegal to search for gold or silver. Our top priorities
are food and shelter. Unless everyone works, we shall
surely starve. He who will not work, shall not eat. I will
assign each of you a job, and if you refuse to do it, you will
be left on the other side of the river.
Narrator:
Some men were foolish enough to defy John Smith. He did
what he promised and left them to die on the other side of
the river. Chief Powhatan admired John Smith’s leadership
because he made the colonists work.
William:
Captain John Smith gave each person a job, and he worked
hard himself. We cleared, plowed, and planted fields. We
strengthened the fort’s walls and built sturdier homes. He
was the only real leader we have ever had.
Song: Work For a Living
All:
Just one year after assuming leadership of the colony, a bag
of gunpowder blew up in John Smith’s lap. He returned to
England to recuperate. Sadly, he never saw Virginia again.
And the Jamestown colony nearly collapsed after it lost his
guidance.
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Take-Home Script: Work or Starve
BEWARE OF CAPTAIN SMITH!
Keep him out! He can’t be trusted.
Heed what I say
Or rue the day
You heard of Captain Smith.
He’s not like us! He can’t be trusted.
They’ll mutiny
With such as he.
Run clear of Captain Smith!
He’s rough and crude! He can’t be trusted.
He’s like this land—
He’s a savage man.
Beware of Captain Smith!
No council for him! He can’t be trusted.
I’ll find the source
And stop this course.
Beware of Captain Smith!
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Take-Home Script: Work or Starve
WORK FOR A LIVING
You’ve got to work for a living—yes sir.
You’ve got to work for a living—every day.
You’ve got to work for a living—yes sir.
Everybody pays their way.
Money don’t come from nothing.
Money don’t grow on trees.
Unless you were born on a wealthy morn,
You better get right down on your knees.
You’ve got to work for a living—yes sir.
You’ve got to work for a living—every day.
You’ve got to work for a living—yes sir.
Everybody pays their way.
It’s always good to work for something.
It’s always good to have a dream.
Though you might be looking at trouble,
It’s not always quite as hard as it might seem.
You’ve got to work for a living—yes sir.
You’ve got to work for a living—every day.
You’ve got to work for a living—yes sir.
Everybody pays their way.
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Glossary
adept—able to do something well
aristocrats—people of high social rank usually based on money
brackish—water that is a mixture of fresh and salt water; often found
in rivers that meet with an ocean
defy—refuse to obey or cooperate
hostage—a captive held as a prisoner
inept—unable to do anything well
investors—people who put money into a company hoping to make a
profit
malaria—a serious illness spread by mosquitoes
Matoaka—Pocahontas’s real name only spoken by family members
mutiny—a revolt against the captain of a ship
Powhatan—a group of 30 Indian tribes in the Virginia area in the
16th and 17th centuries; also the name of the supreme leader of
these tribes
regiment—military unit
South Sea—what the colonists called the Pacific Ocean; they wanted
to find a waterway that crossed the North American continent. They
had no idea how wide it was.
Virginia Company—a group of investors that put up the money for
the trip and supplies in expectation of making a profit
venture—a project that involves risk
Wahunsonacock—Powhatan’s real name which could only be
spoken by family members
werowance—the chief of a tribe
Werowocomoco—the village where Powhatan lived
West Indies—a string of islands that separates the Caribbean Sea
from the Atlantic Ocean
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