The Turkey’s Lament “Why Us?!”

Thanksgiving has arrived once again, and many are looking forward to celebrating with family, friends, and food. Among the delectables that will be consumed on this day, the one that will be found on most tables is the turkey.

Oh, do the turkeys dread this day as they lament, “Why us?!”

Why indeed, since there is no evidence that turkeys were eaten during the 1621 harvest celebrations. In fact, according to sources at the time, the primary form of meat consumed was venison and wildfowl (mostly duck and geese). There is no specific mention of turkey.

So how did the turkey end up being the representative meal of Thanksgiving?

There are a lot of misconceptions about Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims didn’t dress all in black, the Wampanoag tribe they were feasting with were not dressed like Plains Indians (this was Massachusetts, not Wyoming), and the gathering was not called Thanksgiving.

The national holiday we know, and the lament of the turkey, began with a woman named Sarah Joseph Hale. Hale petitioned many years for a national holiday giving thanks. She succeeded when Lincoln made Thanksgiving an official holiday in 1863.

Subsequently, the traditions surrounding the holiday were greatly influenced by Hale. In her 1827 novel, Northwood, a Thanksgiving feast is depicted, with a turkey proudly front and center. A few years later, when Charles Dickens included turkey as the main meal in A Christmas Carol, the turkey’s association with holidays was solidified.

How the turkey wishes these authors had used duck or geese! It is now estimated that 46 million turkeys are consumed every Thanksgiving. That’s a lot of birds! Of course, every year a couple of turkeys are spared with a Presidential Pardon. But is there any other way for a turkey to escape its fate?

Well, there have been a number of good stories about clever turkeys who escaped the dining table. Listed below are some of the great options available at MCPL:

Twas’ the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey: Can a busload of kids rescue the turkeys from Mack Nuggets' farm before Thanksgiving?

Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano: If Turkey doesn’t look like a turkey, Farmer Jake won’t be able to find him. Maybe he should disguise himself as a cow.

A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Even Bunting: Mrs. Moose would like Turkey over for Thanksgiving, if only he weren’t so terrified of the invitation.

Turk and Runt by Lisa Wheeler: Turk is so happy people are coming to look at what a great turkey he is, but Runt knows the terrible truth. Can he save his brother?

A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman: Squawk Valley advertises for a turkey to be a model for their art contest. The turkey that answers the call knows the residents have something else in mind.

Hopefully, your turkeys won’t be clever enough to escape your table.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pamela M.
Antioch Branch