November 21, 2023
There’s a Thanksgiving tradition known as the “Legend of the Five Kernels,” which offers a lesson for those who grieve. As the story goes, dozens of Pilgrim settlers died from sickness and starvation over several dreadful winters.
According to the legend, in 1623 a severe drought caused a famine, and William Bradford, the leader of the colony, compared their situation to the ancient Romans’, who at one point were forced to survive on a daily ration of five kernels of corn, which was all the Pilgrims had to eat on some days.
The following year, the harvest improved. From then, every Thanksgiving they began their feast with five kernels of dried corn to remind them to be thankful and trust in providence.
The tradition spread throughout New England, where it was customary to put out five kernels, each of which had a special significance:
“The first kernel reminds us of the autumn beauty all around.
The second kernel reminds us of the freedom we hold dearly.
The third kernel reminds us of our love for one another, especially those we have lost.
The fourth kernel reminds us of our friends.
The fifth kernel reminds us of God’s love and care for us.”
The likely origin of the practice dates back 200 years to the bicentennial celebration of the Pilgrim landing. Statesman Daniel Webster spoke on Forefathers’ Day, and after his speech, there was a sumptuous dinner. On each elegant china plate were five kernels of parched corn as a reminder of those intrepid first families, who had little to eat, who suffered great loss, but who had enormous faith.
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