Pioneer Days

Damon followed Ivan and Kelsey off the school bus and looked around nervously. The field was crowded with people in historical costumes. There were women in long dresses and bonnets, and men in straw hats and leather boots. “ Welcome to Pioneer Days! ” Mrs. Manning, the teacher, said.

“ In the 1800s around 400, 000 people left their homes in the East. They wanted to settle on open land and find new opportunities. So these pioneers traveled across America in covered wagons to settle in the West. ” “ What kind of person wants to dress up like a pioneer?” Kelsey said.

“ Yeah, ” Damon mumbled. He spotted his mother standing by an open fire, wearing her homemade outfit. Before his friends could notice her, Damon pointed wildly across the field. “ Look at the oxen! ” “ Wow! ” Ivan stared at the huge animals. “ Why are cows pulling a wagon? Why not just use horses?” They’re oxen, not cows, Ivan! ” Mrs. Manning said.

“ Pioneers used oxen instead of horses to pull wagons because they’re strong, tough—” “ And slow! ” Kelsey giggled as the oxen trudged past. “ See the cream pail on the side of the wagon?” Mrs. Manning said. “ The wagon’s motion churns the cream into butter. ”

Damon noticed Mom waving at him, but he pretended not to see. “ Let’s go learn about the Native Americans! ” he said hurriedly. Mrs. Manning checked the time. “ It’s lunchtime now. We’re having an authentic pioneer lunch! ” “ Shouldn’t we see the cow-milking station first?” Damon asked hopefully.

“ After lunch, ” Mrs. Manning said firmly. “ Damon! ” Kelsey said suddenly. “ Isn’t that your mom?” Damon wished he could disappear. “ Hello, everyone! ” Mom smiled cheerfully as she handed out plates of food. “ Everything you’re eating here was cooked over an open fire. Most pioneers didn’t pack their heavy stoves in the wagons.