'Giving Thanks' - Los Angeles Times

Excerpts from a story written by Jennifer James - freelance writer:

He pointed to a little paper cup containing just three kernels of corn beside Grandpa's plate.

"It reminds me of what a tough time the Pilgrims had. In the beginning, three kernels of corn was each person's daily food ration."

"Against all odds, they made a life for themselves in the wilderness.

Later, Governor William Bradford made a decision. Instead of the colonists sharing their crops equally, he assigned a parcel of land to each family and told them they could keep whatever they produced for themselves.

""Then what happened?" asked Sam."

At last the Pilgrims began to prosper.

Governor William Bradford wrote in his book 'Of Plimoth Plantation,' 'This had very good success, for it made all hands industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been.'

""Shoot! If you can keep everything you make, of course you're going to work harder. Everybody knows that."

Grandpa answered, "The first seed had been planted for the American Revolution. People were free to practice their religions as they saw fit and were free to keep the fruits of their labor. This had never happened before in the history of mankind. In the words of William Bradford, 'As one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation.' "

What an amazing idea. Isn't it interesting how opposite this idea is to the "spread the wealth" concept.