A Reminder to Count Your Blessings at Thanksgiving
I discovered a moving story of the five kernels of corn working on Thanksgiving lenses. This story is a wonderful tradition to include with your family as you sit down to eat your holiday meal.
The legend also worked well as a concept for the Squidoo Thanksgiving Cookoff for Charity. The story of eating five kernels of corn worked with the charity benefactor, Kiva. Any purchases from this lens go to benefit Kiva.
Kiva is world's first person-to-person micro-lending website that connects online lenders to entrepreneurs across the globe. You can make a difference to an entrepreneur in the developing world by loaning $25 and do even more as part of SquidKiva.
Being able to make a difference for $25 is a little like making a difference with and being grateful for five kernels of corn.
Learn more about this touching legend of the Five Kernels of Corn. You may view eating corn and eating corn at Thanksgiving a bit differently.
Image Available on Amazon
Thanksgiving Corn
Image: S Nada. Colored Corn. Royalty Free Use.
The Five Kernels of Corn
The story goes that once Thanksgiving became a holiday, the Pilgrims would start their meal with five kernels of corn on their plate.
These five golden kernels represented all the pilgrims had to eat for the entire day during difficult winter. The corn that remained was planted in the spring.
At Thanksgiving the five kernels of corn was a reminder that many had nearly starved because of lack of food.
Each pilgrim would stand up and one by one pick up each kernel of corn and share five things they were thankful for on Thanksgiving.
This tradition has been passed on from the early times.
To this day, many families place five kernels of corn on each plate to honor and remember the suffering and spirit of Thanksgiving of our Pilgrim ancestors. They also take turns sharing five blessings for which they are grateful.
The story of the five kernels of corn is a touching tradition to start with your family.
Five Kernels of Corn
Corn Seeds for Planting
Peaches and Cream Sweet Corn 120 Seeds
Amazon Price: $1.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
Plant your own corn to grow.
Dealing Out Five Kernels of Corn in the First Winter
Image available on Amazon.
First Thanksgiving on Wikipedia
Most Americans celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a holiday feast. Though the holiday's origins can be traced to harvest festivals which have been celebrated in many cultures since ancient times, the American holiday is tied to the deliverance of the English settlers by Native Americans after the harsh winter at Plymouth, Massachusetts and that event has become the pre-eminent foundation story for English North America.
The First Thanksgiving was celebrated to give thanks to God and the Native Americans for helping the pilgrims survive the brutal winter.
Learn about the First Thanksgiving Foods
The First Thanksgiving Foods lens was created for the Squidoo Charity Cookoff to benefit First Books.-
The First Thanksgiving Foods
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If you were eating at the First Thanksgiving, you would discover that your Thanksgiving favorites might not have been served. The foods served for that first meal were very different than what we typically think of as a modern Thanksgiving Feast with...
Corn Seeds on Amazon
Organic True Gold Sweet Corn 100 Seeds
Amazon Price: $2.46 (as of 12/09/2009)
Early Sunglow Sweet Corn 300 Seeds
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
Organic Black Aztec Sweet Corn 120 Seeds
Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009)
Organic Stowell's Sweet Corn 100 Seeds
Amazon Price: $2.46 (as of 12/09/2009)
Organic Baby Sweet Corn 100+ Seeds - Zea mays - 2" ears - SALE*
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
Remembering to have a Day of Thanks
The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.
No Americans have been more impoverished
than these who, nevertheless,
set aside a day of thanksgiving.
H. U. Westermayer
A Featured Lens on Giving Thanks
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Give Thanks at Thanksgiving
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Thanksgiving is a perfect time to stop for a moment once a year and remember to give thanks. It's a time to be grateful for one's health, family, friends, job, home and having food on the table. Take a few moments as you read through this lens and to...
Articles on the Five Kernels of Corn
- Five Kernels of Corn
- The tradition of placing five kernels of corn at each plate first started at Plymouth on Forefather's Day, 22nd Dec. 1820 on the occasion of the Bi-Centennial of the Landing of the Pilgrims. Hosting the occasion was the newly founded Pilgrim Society with guest speaker, Daniel Webster.
- Five Kernels of Corn | Boundless Line
- It's easy in our culture to lose sight of what we're remembering -- what we're celebrating -- on Thanksgiving.
- Five Kernels of Corn (the Thanksgiving Story)
- On November 11, 1620, the Mayflower dropped anchor in a natural harbor on the inside of the northern tip of Cape Cod. There it stayed. The location was not the Pilgrims' first choice; they had planned to settle near the mouth of the Hudson.
- The Legend Of The Five Kernels
- It was very cold for the Pilgrims that first winter. Food was in short supply. Some days, they had only five kernels of corn. When spring came, the Pilgrims planted the remaining corn. The sun and rain helped the seeds to grow and much food was harvested in the fall.
- Blessings from Above: Five Kernels of Corn
- Once Thanksgiving was established, the Pilgrims would start off their meal with five kernels of corn on their plate. These five golden kernels represented all they had to eat during a 24 hours time frame during tough times.
- Mommy Life: Thanksgiving Tradition - Five Kernels of Corn poem
- Many families now practice this tradition: beside each place at the Thanksgiving table are five kernels of dried corn. During the meal, a special cup is passed around the table. Each member of the family drops a kernel into the cup while sharing something for which he is grateful. The cup goes around until all the kernels are used and all the thanks are said.
- Thanksgiving Meditation: Five Kernels of Corn
- We all sat down and then I noticed beside each empty plate a little pile of corn, five kernels to be exact. And my first thought was, "I didn't know Kenny and his family were so poor!" My second thought was, "I'm gonna starve!"
- 5 Kernels of Corn
- The poem of 5 Kernels of Corn.
Five Kernels of Corn Giclee Poster in the Amazon Spotlight
Dealing Out Five Kernels of Corn in the First Winter Giclee Poster Print, 18x24
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
This Giclee poster print captures "Dealing Out Five Kernels of Corn in the First Winter" and is a visually moving depiction of the story.
Size: 18 x 24 inches
A Featured Lens on a Thanksgiving Bowl
Another moving tradition to include for your Thanksgiving, creating a Thanksgiving Bowl, Jar, Box or Wreath as a way of giving thanks.-
A Thanksgiving Bowl
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One valuable way to help everyone in the family remember that Thanksgiving is about giving thanks is to include a tradition of a Thanksgiving bowl, jar, box or wreath. Using some kind of object helps family and friends pause for a moment to be grate...
Corn Kernels in the Amazon Spotlight
Farmer Holds Kernels of Corn Photographic Poster Print, 24x18
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
A photographic print of a farmer holding kernels of corn
Size: 24 x 18 inches
Plate of Corn
Image: Luz. Five Kernels of Corn. Creative Commons License.
Blog Posts about the Five Kernels of Corn
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byEating Corn on Thanksgiving
Eating Corn on the Cob
Francis Estanislao. Corn on the Cob. Royalty Free Use.
Corn Holders on Amazon
Zyliss Interlocking Corn Holders, Assorted Colors
Amazon Price: $5.58 (as of 12/09/2009)
Oxo SteeL Corn Holders 8-Pack
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
Zyliss Interlocking Corn Holders, Set of 8
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
Danesco Set of Six Stainless Steel Corn on the Cob Holders
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
Progressive International Microwavable Corn Holders
Amazon Price: $7.90 (as of 12/09/2009)
Corn Cutting Tools on Amazon
Corn Shucker
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
Credo Safety Corn Cutter
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 12/09/2009)
Oxo Good Grips Corn Stripper
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
Kuhn Rikon Corn Zipper
Amazon Price: $11.08 (as of 12/09/2009)
Kuhn Rikon Corn Zipper, Stainless
Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 12/09/2009)
Canned Corn Available on Amazon
Natural Value Cut Baby Corn, 15 Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009)
Roland Whole Baby Corn, Small, 15-Ounce Can (Pack of 12)
Amazon Price: $17.51 (as of 12/09/2009)
Del Monte Whole Kernel Corn - 8/15.25 oz. cans
Amazon Price: $8.56 (as of 12/09/2009)
Thick-it Puree Sweet Corn, 15-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)
Amazon Price: $32.19 (as of 12/09/2009)
Westbrae Natural Vegetarian Organic Golden Corn, Whole Kernel, 15.25 Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)
Amazon Price: $21.78 (as of 12/09/2009)
Popcorn for Thanksgiving
Popcorn
Image: Bob Smith. Popcorn. Royalty Free Use.
Air Popcorn Popper in the Amazon Spotlight
Presto 04820 PopLite Hot Air Corn Popper
Amazon Price: $21.80 (as of 12/09/2009)
Electric popper uses hot air to make a healthy, low-calorie treat. The Air Popper is faster and more economical than microwave bag popcorn.
Makes up to 18 cups in less than 2-1/2-minutes
Popcorn on Amazon
India Tree Paloma de Colores PopCorn, 1 Pound (Pack of 4)
Amazon Price: $28.50 (as of 12/09/2009)
Gourmet Popcorn Variety 3-Pack
Amazon Price: $10.70 (as of 12/09/2009)
Whirley-Pop Baby Hulless Popcorn - White (6 lbs.)
Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
Fireworks Popcorn Holiday 4 Pack
Amazon Price: $13.74 (as of 12/09/2009)
Amish Country Baby White Popcorn - 2lb.
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
More Lenses on Corn
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Corn - The Amazing Maize
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Corn (Zea mays sp.), a member of the grass family--therefore, it's a Monocot - meaning "one seed"-- is an annual plant that grows 7 to 10 feet tall. Strong roots called prop roots help support the cornstalk. A tassel grows at the top of each jointed...
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All About Popcorn
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Popcorn is a snack staple in the lives of most Americans. People of all ages love popcorn and the statistics show it. In fact, the average American eats over 200 cups of popcorn each and every year! In this lens, I give you a brief history of popcor...
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I remember around 25 years ago when we lived in a farming community, the availability of fresh corn on the cob. When the end of summer was nearing and all the local farmers were selling their corn (just picked that day) on the side of the road. I mis...
Made for the Squidoo Thanksgiving Cookoff
This lens has been entered into the Squidoo Thanksgiving Cookoff (for Charity). If it gets selected, KIVA will get $1000 so, help spread the word.
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The Official Squidoo Thanksgiving Cookoff (for Charity)
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From Nov 2 to Nov 25th 2009, Squidoo donated $1000 to charity every day. With a $5000 grand prize, awarded by popular vote to Wildlife Forever on behalf of this lens, From the Garden Pumpkin Pie. Read the post here. Thanks for helping us give away so...
Lens of the Day - November 4, 2009
I am honored that this lens was chosen as a Lens of the Day during the first few days of the Squidoo Charity Cookoff. Robin noted in her "Corn for Thanksgiving" post on her "Cabaret Squidoo Best Recipes Arcade" blog that it was a tradition her family had been following, but she didn't know why:- Today's winner of the Squidoo Thanksgiving Cookoff (for charity) doesn't share a recipe at all but instead shares the legend of the Five Kernels of Corn, a touching tradition that has been passed down to us from the Pilgrims.
Funny thing is that when I began reading the story, I realized that my family has been "some what" following this tradition on Thanksgiving Day for many years without knowing why...."
Read the whole story at Robin's blog post.
Five Kernels of Corn - Lens of the Day
- Corn for Thanksgiving | Cabaret Squidoo Best Recipes Arcade
- Today's winner of the Squidoo Thanksgiving Cookoff (for charity) doesn't share a recipe at all but instead shares the legend of the Five Kernels of Corn, a touching tradition that has been passed down to us from the Pilgrims.
- Five Kernels of Corn (and $1000 for KIVA)
- Today's lens of the day has a winning trifecta: A story. All great lenses tell stories. This one is the legend of the Five Kernels of Corn. A lensmaster who has really made a name for herself for her generosity and charitable leadership on Squidoo. And it's a winner in our Thanksgiving Cookoff for Charity, which means it has won $1000 for KIVA.
Five Kernels of Corn Tops Religion and Spirituality
Five Kernels of Corn ranked number one in Religion and Spirituality on November 6, 2009.
Join Squid Kiva
SquidKiva is a Lending Team at kiva.org where Squidoo Lensmasters can collectively help many people worldwide by each contributing small amounts of money in the for of micro-loans.SquidKiva is a collaborative effort open to all Squidoo Lensmasters. Joining our lending team is very simple, and in doing so we can communicate, collectively track our contributions, and better promote Kiva and their cause.
Learn More about SquidKiva
You can join the SquidKiva lending team and make a difference for as little as $25.00.-
SquidKiva - A Kiva Community for Squidoo Lensmasters
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SquidKiva is a Kiva Community of members from the Squidoo community. Kiva facilitates micro-loans to individuals worldwide that would otherwise not be afforded the opportunity to open or expand their small business. All squidoo lensmasters are welco...
Donate to KIVA
Kiva is the world's first online lending platform connecting online lenders to entrepreneurs across the globe. Make a loan to an entrepreneur in the developing world for as little as $25.
More Lenses about Kiva
Learn more about Kiva.-
Kiva- My Absolute Favorite Charity
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Comments on the Five Kernels of Corn
Reader comments!
What do you think about this Thanksgiving story and tradition?
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Reply
- Pastiche Pastiche Dec 9, 2009 @ 7:40 am
- In southeastern PA, Cope's Corn is a traditional dish at Thanksgiving. It's dried corn made into a pudding-like hot dish. Five kernels of corn is a story I hadn't heard before, but will make part of my holiday of thanks from now on.
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- mhosong72 mhosong72 Dec 9, 2009 @ 4:51 am
- Great lens! Best info. Thank You Very Much.
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- TheCureForYouthMinistry TheCureForYouthMinistry Dec 5, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
- Great site! Thanks for the inspiration.
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- Themiscorkscrew Themiscorkscrew Nov 30, 2009 @ 8:01 pm
- delicious lens with a great story!
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- totosmom totosmom Nov 30, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
- I Love this story - I was telling my grandchildren about it at Thanksgiving. We had a couple of corn dishes. My favorite is my grandmother's corn custard the recepie is on my Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie Lens. This is a great reminder and we need to remember how it was for our forefather's. I can't imagine how bad that 1st Winter must have been and how the natives saved us.
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- sema sema Nov 22, 2009 @ 3:00 am
- Thanks for sharing an inspiring information.
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- TheWhistler TheWhistler Nov 19, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
- Great lens, very inspiring. Thank you.
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- DavidLove DavidLove Nov 15, 2009 @ 10:46 pm
- Uplifting and inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
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- tintin79 tintin79 Nov 12, 2009 @ 1:57 am
- Thanks for the share, very inspiring and giving.. :)
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- mitchking mitchking Nov 11, 2009 @ 2:24 pm
- Beautiful story, thank you so much for sharing it with the rest of us.
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- jennysue19 jennysue19 Nov 11, 2009 @ 4:44 am
- We don't have the Thanksgiving tradition in the UK of course, but I really loved this lens - it is heartwarming, informative and entertaining.
Well done, you really deserve the Lens of the Day award!
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- blue22d blue22d Nov 10, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
- Thanks for sharing this wonderful giving idea and story. I was not familiar with Kiva and I am glad I know about it. Great work on this lens. ***** and a favorite.
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- Brookelorren Brookelorren Nov 10, 2009 @ 3:38 am
- Wow. Great story.
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- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Nov 9, 2009 @ 11:08 pm
- Blessed by a Squid Angel.
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- lasertek lasertek Nov 9, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
- The Five Kernels of Corn story is very touching and inspiring. I will definitely share this on Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing.
Will tweet this lens. Visit my lens as well if you got time. Thanks again
- Load More
About the Author
me!
Lensmaster Comfortdoc has been a member since May 14 2007, has rated 346 lenses, favorited 344, and has created 292 lenses from scratch. Kirsti A. Dyer donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund and March of Dimes. This member's top-ranked page is "Five Kernels of Corn". See all my lenses
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