Create your own tall tale to explain how something came to be, such as an animal ("the starfish that fell from the sky"), a boulder in your backyard ("lost by the giant Gluskap when he was playing marbles"), or anything that your imagination suggests.
Everyone sits in a circle facing each other. Have one person begin a story. After one minute, he or she has to stop in the middle of a sentence and the next person must finish the sentence and continue the story. Make sure everyone gets a chance to talk. Record the story as you tell it on a tape recorder and then play it back.
What would you do if you had to go on a long trip without a picnic cooler or a stop at your favorite McDonald's? Native Americans and old-time seafarers had to bring foods that could last for many weeks or months without refrigeration.
The Indians made pemmican, a patty made of dried chopped meat, fat, and berries for a quick snack on a long trek. If you want to make a nutritious, tastier treat for the trail, try gorp. Combine a handful each of peanuts, raisins, other dried fruits, and chocolate bits. Store gorp in a plastic bag and keep it handy. It's dandy!
Sailors had hardtack, a very tough biscuit that could last as
long as the sea voyage. It didn't taste very good, but at least it held up well
against water, mold, and rats. Think you'd like to be a sailor? Try making
hardtack first. Here's what you'll need:
Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit. Mix flour and salt together. Add 1 cup of water and stir until it becomes too hard to continue. Knead dough in bowl with hands, adding more flour to make it very dry. Roll and pull the dough into a one-half inch thick rectangle big enough to be divided into 16 3-inch squares. Use a table knife to cut dough into squares. Hold each square in your hand and punch 16 holes into each with a nail (carefully!). This keeps the hard tack flat and breakable.
Place squares on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes until lightly browned and crisp. Allow to cool.
