"AHDOOLO!" THE STORY OF MATTHEW HENSON

Teachers may use this material and adapt it to fit their curriculum needs. 

SCENE ONE

Narrator One: It's early summer, 1908. Since 1891, explorers Robert Peary and Matthew Henson have been trying to be the first to reach the North Pole. This is their sixth and final attempt. They are experienced and determined, but the Arctic is fierce and unpredictable. Peary's wife, Josephine, and Henson's wife, Lucy may well wonder whether they will see their husbands again.

Narrator Two: Matt moved to the newly repaired Roosevelt to help organize the supplies for the 1908 expedition. The small ship settled lower and lower in the water as the crew carried on dynamite for blasting ice, pickaxes, shovels, guns, kerosene, and thousands of pounds of tea, coffee, dried fish, bacon, sugar, biscuits, flour, and pemmican. There were cameras, maps and charts, navigational equipment, thermometers, compasses, books and materials for building sledges. Coal was stuffed into any space left over.

Narrator Three: On July 6, 1908, the Roosevelt steamed out of New York to the sounds of whistles, bells and shouts! Matt thought of Lucy.

Matthew Henson:  "I hope when she hears from me next it will be with feelings of joy and happiness."

Narrator Three: The next day the ship docked at Oyster Bay, New York. President Theodore Roosevelt came aboard. He poked into all corners, shook hands with all the men and said (pause)

PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT:  I know you fine, brave gentlemen will bring home the pole this time! Good luck!

Narrator Four: Peary had selected the bravest, strongest, most intelligent men he could find for his last try. There was Matt, of course, there had to be Matt. Matthew Henson was one of those men who wished to reach the North Pole!

Teachers Page | Curriculum | Scene One | Scene Two | Scene Three | Scene 4 & 5 | Scene 6 | Scene 7 | Cast of characters & Props