Chief Powhatan was a man of few words. His words were often
deliberated and scrutinized for he was the Chief of the Powhatan nation. Pity
him not, for though he carried a great burden – he was comforted daily by his
three daughters, Pocahontas, Matachanna and Aiyana. He treasured them dearly,
for they all dabbled in their own specialty.
Matachanna, meaning “great
warrior” beat all of the boys when wrestling and was a powerful leader
among the villagers. She often settled small disputes between them, leaving her
father at ease and any villager eager to do her bidding. Aiyana, meaning “ever blooming” was noted throughout the
village for having the best green thumb – a gift essential to the survival of
the Powhatan nation. Pocahontas, however, means “playful and frolicsome” which had been entertaining when she was
young but had become irritably childish as she grew closer to an age of
maturity. Her pranks and antics (though all in good fun) often angered the
villagers who in turn, complained to the Chief.
However, Powhatan knew that as he creeped closer to an age
that would leave him gradually less powerful and susceptible to the will of
others – his daughters would need to step up to the plate. Knowing this, he waited for a perfect moment
in which he would test their readiness to accept the task at hand. On the day
of new moon festivities, he felt the time had come. He summoned his daughters
to his tent of politics – for he was ready to talk serious business. As his
daughters stood before him, he asked them the following, “As my beloved daughters
and only heirs, what are you willing to contribute towards the continued
success of our dear village?”
Matachanna, naturally took the lead and spoke first, “Father,
it would be my great honor to act as Chief of the village and war to ensure the
safety of myself and the other villagers.”
Following Matachanna’s answer, Aiyana said confidently, “I
swear to you Father I will carry the health and wellbeing of the villagers with
me always – acting as Head of food and prosperity.”
Pleased with their answers, he allowed them to sit before
him and kissed their heads happily. He then turned to Pocahontas and asked, “And
you my dear Pocahontas, what is it that you vow to contribute?”
Pocahontas stood pensively and weighed the depth of his
question. After some thought she answered, “Father, I vow to show each of the
villagers how to pull the funniest pranks on one another – for without laughter
they will be unhappy and unfulfilled.”
Powhatan was deeply offended by Pocahontas’s answer, for he
felt that her childishness showed through and through and he had grown ill
tempered by its constant presence. “Pocahontas, I have had enough of your antics
and follies – I forbid you to enter the sanction of our village until you shape
up!” he yelled at his daughter. Pocahontas feeling hurt and mistreated left the
village, vowing to show her father that she was capable of being a great
leader.
Along her journey of fulfillment, she met John Smith an
English explorer. She brought him back to her village – only to discover it was
rampant with other explorers who had overthrown not only her father, but also
her strong-willed sisters. Realizing the depths of their captivity, she
enlisted the help of John Smith to help her regain their rule. In the depths of
night, they secretly went around to Powhatan tents – teaching the villagers
many tricks and pranks to fool the explorers with. Oblivious to the presence of
Pocahontas, the explorers were quite fed up with the child-like nature of the
villagers and labeled them a lost cost. This label resulted in their
abandonment of the village – restoring power to Chief Powhatan and his
daughters.
Chief Powhatan although still irritated, never questioned the
funny business of Pocahontas again.
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