13905 the real story of pocahontas

THE REAL

Matoaka was the beautiful and lively daughter of Powhatan, ruler of the land
that the English named Virginia. "Pocahontas" was her childhood nickname,
translated as "little wanton," meaning she was playful and hard to control.
She

was her father's favourite, "the apple of his eye"
Pocahontas is most famous for saving the life of Captain John Smith. Disney's
Pocahontas was their first story based on a historic event, not another fairy tale. Of course,

Disney changed the facts, but here is the original story.
In 1607 the English established a colony at Jamestown, Virginia. One day, during 1608, Captain
John Smith and some of his men were captured by Indians while they were out searching for
food. Captain Smith's men were all killed and he was taken to Chief Powhatan. The mighty
Indian Chief ordered that Smith be killed. At the last moment, the Chief's daughter, 13 year old
Pocahontas, saved Captain Smith's life.
In 1613, when she was 18 years old, Pocahontas was baptized as a
Christian. She also took the “Christian” name of Rebecca. During this
time, Pocahontas was engaged to Kocoum, but she fell in love with
John Rolfe and he with her. They got married and she got the name of
Lady Rebecca Rolfe. Pocahontas and John had a child named Thomas.
In 1616, John, Pocahontas and their son all traveled to England where
they met King James and Queen Anne. As they prepared to come back
home to Virginia in 1617, Pocahontas became ill and died. She was buried in England.

1.
a)
b)
c)

Read the text and answer the questions.
Who was Matoaka? Explain.
Is Disney’s “Pocahontas” a true story? Why?
What were John Smith and his men doing when they were captured?


d)
e)
f)
g)

Were all men killed by Indians? Who survived and how?
What did happen when Pocahontas was 18?
With who did she get married?
How old was she when she died?

1. Match

wanton
the apple of his eye
fairy tale
establish(ed)
capture(d)
search(ing)
mighty
baptize(d)
engage(d)
(bury) buried
2.
a)

b)
c)
d)
e)

* to build, create
* to look for
* someone who is playful and likes making jokes
* to give a name and become a member of a religion
* to be lay down in the ground (after death)
* to be someone’s favourite
* a cartoon but with moral
* to take someone into control by force
* powerful
* to agree to marry formally

Discuss these questions in pairs.
What story did you like more? Disney’s Pocahontas or the real story of her? Why?
What scene did you like the most? Retell.
What character of Disney’s Pocahontas did you like the most? Why?
What character of the film didn’t you like the most? Why?
Do you see any similarities in the “Avatar” movie and “Pocahontas”? What?

3. Play the game “10 questions”. Teacher gives a name of one hero from the film to a

student and he/she has to guess who he/she is by asking yes/no questions to the rest of
students. He/she has only 10 questions to find it out.
Pocahontas
John Smith
Powhatan

4.

Governor Radcliff
Kocoum
Grandma the Willow

Thomas
Nakoma
Meeko

Percy
Flit
Wiggins

Write a short story (80-120 words) about the visit of Pocahontas in England after
saying goodbye to Captain John Smith.