Synopsis
August 20th, 2008 | Uncategorized |
In this episode of Roots, Toby (Kunta Kinte) goes through a lot:
He runs away from his owner in order to try to find Fanta, the girl he knew from Africa. He finds her, but learns that she does not share his dream of running away together. Although she wants to be free, she wants to stay safe even more and refuses to run away with him. While they are arguing, Toby is discovered by slave-catchers who chase him down and capture him. The slave-catchers tie Toby up and cut off part of one of his feet to keep him from running away again.
Toby’s wound gets infected and he spends most of a month unconscious. He is nursed back to health by a slave named Belle. When he wakes up, he finds that he, Fiddler and a couple of other slaves from his master’s plantation have been sold. He now belongs to Dr. Reynolds, the brother of his first master.
He feels very sorry for himself and wants to give up, but Belle taunts him until he gets angry enough to get out of bed and start living again.
Several years pass. Toby eventually becomes Dr. Reynolds’ driver and marries Belle. His life gets better, but he never gives up on his dream of freedom. On one of his trips with the Doctor, Toby meets another African slave who has a plan to run away. He gives Toby a signal to listen for - a particular rhythm on a drum. When he hears the drum, Toby is supposed to run away with the Drummer.
Belle and Toby have a baby girl named Kizzy. At about the same time, Fiddler dies. It is a very emotional time for Toby.
A few weeks after Kizzy is born, Toby takes her out into the night to officially give her her name, just like his father did for him back in Africa. While he is holding her up to the stars, he hears the Drummer calling him to run away.
He returns to Belle and tells her that the plantation where they live will never be a home to him, but that he loves her and Kizzy too much to run away from them. He decides to stay and pass on his dream of freedom to his daughter.
MirandaY
Block A
As I stand here, and watch Toby (Kunta Kinte) get married to Belle; all I can do is smile. I remember the first day ‘Toby’ came here to be a slave. He was causing all kinds of trouble. Trying to escape and what not. He had it real bad. I member, when he was first owned by Mr. Reynolds…he told me to keep an eye on him, feed him, keep him alive and tell him all he needs to know. The more time went on, the more I actually got attached to him. He wasn’t a pain in the butt like I thought he would be.
I think everything got better, when he was now being owned by Dr. Reynolds. He gets more freedom. I was very happy for him when he met Belle. She’s good for him. She gives him the extra kick he needs when he doesn’t wanna do something. I think they will have a very happy life together…unless Toby tries to run away again. If he does, he might get even worse done to him than last time.
The music is starting, and everyone’s cheering. Flowers are getting thrown up in the air, as I watch the happy couple jump over the broomstick together. I grab my fiddle and start playing my music. I love seeing people so happy. This is one of the only times I actually see people smile. I see all the girls and guys dancing ‘round, and making their way over to belle and congratulate her. I see Toby by himself. I can see the look in his eyes…happiness, but at the same time a little scared. He tells me that he misses his home, his village…his family. He wishes they could be here, at one of the most proudest moments of his life. I think he should be happy right now. He just got married, and I think he should go celebrate. I know that they will make a great family. I wish all my happiness and luck to Toby and Belle, while they experience this wonderful enjoyment of life.
Kylie B.
Block A
John Reynolds
1st owner : when Toby runs away
Toby ran away today, I cant believe it. I thought Fiddler was going a good job with him, but I guess not. He is a great n-word too. He’s so strong, and he does have a temper though.
He’s been here a long time, I think that he would realize that he is not going home ever again. If he keeps on running away then we may have to send him home (joke). When I told those two slave tenders to get him, I got a bad feeling that they would do something wrong. It makes me mad when the n-words get hurt of they get punished because then if I sell them with a lot of health issues I don’t get good money. I cant believe he ran away. Im so upset with the guys who caught him. Why would they cut off half of his foot? Now he wont be able to tend in the fields and he wont be able to do nothing till he heals. That takes money away from me. I should cut off those guys feet for payback. Hopefully now he has learned his lesson. No n-word will ever run away from me again! Ha-ha
MylesT, Block A
Mr. Aims after Toby ran away:
As i stood there awaiting Toby’s return, I was asked for an explanation on why he escaped. I simply told the Master that it was out of my hands and everyone was so drunk and not paying attention to Toby. Master said to me that it was my responsibility to watch over the slaves and make sure that they were being good and obeying the rules. I kept on repeating myself saying “I know, but…” and the Master finally stopped me and removed me from my duties. Now I have to go and try to find another plantation to work on.
Right before I left, the Master had sent slave catchers after Toby and he told them that they could do what they pleased with him, but he would rather have him back alive. Once the slave catchers caught Toby, they didn’t kill him, but they did make it so he would never run again. By doing so they cut off his right foot. When Toby returned to the plantation there was a new Master. It was the old Master’s brother. He was not to thrilled by what the slave catchers had done to Toby, because he worked so well in the fields. Toby was sick for a long time, but eventually woke up and slowly started his road to recovery.
[Moved from Instructions page]
Erik F
Block A
12/2/08
Dr. Reynolds (2nd owner) - When Kizzy is born
I delivered a beautiful baby girl I think that she will make a good slave. As long as Toby doesn’t teach her bad things and runs away like her father tried to do. I knew from the moment I watched Toby and Belle get married that they were going to have a baby. But I swear if that baby and Toby run away again I will whip him so hard and I might even cut his other toes off as well. So he better stays put and not goes any where with my new slave. What a beautiful baby girl though I think that Belle and Toby will treat her well and be kind to her even though she isn’t a real human. I think she will make a good slave for my plantation and we have needed to get a new slave ever since two of mine got away from the plantation. I’m trying to figure out though what her job will be when she grows up I think I’ll make her be a cook or maybe a clothes washer. I don’t know though I will have to think about what I will have her do on this plantation I just don’t know yet but she better be a good nigger if she isn’t I will sell her off to another plantation. If I do that that would give me money to buy a new slave.
Allison B, block C
Belle- while Toby is still unconscious and delirious
I can’t stand to see Toby lie there not moving. He must be hurtin’ real bad. It hurts me to know that he’s hurt. I do hope that he makes it. That he is able to wake up. I can’t really do much though. Dr. Reynolds make sure he is ok, and then he make me in charge of Toby. I sit there next to him and watch his face.
“You’re a strong, fine man Toby,” I whisper. “You will be able to wake up, and see me again. You will! I take good care of you Toby. Don’t you worry.”
I know he can’t hear me, but I try to imagine him looking up at me with his bright eyes.
I stare down at his foot. What could make someone to that to another man? Why would you do that? Why would they do that to a fine n****r like Toby.
While my head was filled with questions, I decided to put myself to work to keep my mind off of them awful slave catchers who did this nasty thing to Toby. I made him some fine crutches. They should help him get ‘round once he…well, once he wakes up. I spent long time working on them crutches for Toby. I think he’ll enjoy them…the most he can. I don’t think he’ll like not being able to walk by himself. I can bet that he won’t be runnin’ off again soon.
Once I was done with them crutches, I had some time to make Toby some socks. Those would be handy for him too. I make one normal sock, and one that fit his…slightly shorter foot.
It was there while I sit there knittin’ him some socks that I realize something…I like Toby. I have feelin’s for him, and would do anythin’ to get him wakin’ up again. I run to his side and lay my head down on his chest. I listen to him breathin’, and his heart poundin’.
I scared that he won’t wake up again. I scared that he won’t be able to see me ‘gain, and I won’t be able to hear his voice ‘gain.
“I like you Toby. I really like you.”
I stayed there frozen; unable to move. I turn to see Toby pickin’ up his head from the pillow.
“Hi Toby. You’re awake. That’s great!” I wasn’t able to tell him how I felt ‘bout him. It probably would’ve been too much for him anyway, just wakin’ up an’ all. He might not even like me at all anyway.
I tell masta’ Reynolds the good news, and he be very happy that Toby awake ‘gain.
“Go fix him up some nice soup, and let him get himself some rest.”
“I will sir; I will make him the best soup.”
I will do anything for Toby.
Lindsey
Block C
Dr. Reynolds when Toby & Belle get married
I knew it was love at first sight.
When Toby looked up for the first time after the slave-catchers cut his foot, I knew by the way Belle looked at him that she thought he was a special one. After I wrapped and cured Toby’s foot, Belle stayed in the cabin. I heard Belle talking to someone from outside the cabin. She was talking to Toby while he lay asleep. She said to him “You will live,” “I will make sure of it.” A couple weeks later, Toby started walking around. Soon after Toby and Belle started talking, Toby then started bringing gifts to Belle. Belle and Toby started talking more and more, and eventually started eating dinners together sometimes even with Fiddler. Then one day Toby walked into Belle’s cabin and started talking to Belled in a stern voice. A voice that he wanted to be heard. Toby ended up asking Belle to marry her.
The wedding was on a few days afterward. I attended with my daughter; we stood to the side of this event. Belle wore a very nice white dress that was hand sewed, and flower wrapped around her head like an angel with a halo around her head. Toby wore a shirt tucked into brown pants with tall work boots. The female slave before Belle and Toby appraised the two of them to being man and wife. All the slaves that stood behind the man and wife clapped and cheered rapidly. They all started dancing and having fun. As Toby watched his wife dance around, laughing and smiling he looked sad. He knew he couldn’t move around and have fun on his own wedding. Toby and Belle was the perfect couple, Toby was a stubborn man and knew what he wanted and needed in life. Where Belle that was also stubborn and also knew what she needed and wanted in life, but she was a very loving person too.
A few days later Belle announced she was having her third child. It was Toby’s baby, he was very very excited.
I helped Belle have her baby a few months after the announcement. The baby was a beautiful baby girl. Toby decided to name it Kizzy, after a Mandika word meaning, she will stay with her family (never to leave her family behind) and never to be taken away. You could tell from behind his eyes that he loved her with all his heart.
After all the things that ran through my head, the anger and the disappointment. The fact that I’ve run away so many times, the fact that that might have been my last run away to a chance of freedom. Seeing Fanta for the last time and hearing that she would not runaway with me. I can’t believe she can’t even remember her “own” language anymore. She forgot everything about her African life. Fanta—she likes it where she, that I just don’t understand. All of that actually I don’t understand. How could she not want to be free and see her family again? To see “our” moon again not some white person’s moon. Because of Fanta’s anger I got half my foot cut off by those d**n slave catchers. Those white men don’t care! They just don’t care. How could they chop off another man’s foot—- well to them I’m just money and a n****r who’s just an animal to them. They can whip you all they want you, I, any n****r has no rights at all. I don’t mean anything to them no matter how much I wish I did. I know it’s not really her fault and that it’s selfish of me to blame it on her, it’s just I lost my foot. I will never be able to run again! From all of things that ran through my head I will run again and I will live! For Belle and all the weeks and months that went by. Belle slaved over me watching me suffer through it all, she was there for me, and she cared for me. I owe it to her and to Fiddler. I mean Belle even made me boots with padding in it for my half foot. All that I wonder is if that my half foot makes me half a man. Maybe if I actually try hard enough I will learn to run and maybe I will have another chance to freedom. Oh, how nice that would be, to see my family again. Or maybe I’ll stay on this new plantation with the Doctor owning me and yet— that just doesn’t feel right. But yes, freedom does sounds glorious.
BLOCK D!!
Belle after the wedding
(this is the real one)
(I know there are some mistakes in the grammar but there on purpose)
Today me and Toby got married! Im so happy that I can’t even explain how I feel in words. When we jumped over that broom, I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. At the party we had after the wedding we had so much fun, everyone was dancing and having a good time. It didn’t look like Toby was having much fun though, he was sitting there all by himself and he looked all sad. I wanted him to come join us but he just sat there. When I went to go ask him to join everyone at his wedding, he told me he just wanted to sit and think. So I let him be.
When Toby first came to be with Masta Reynolds I thought he was just another African, with African thoughts running through his mind. But after a little wile I realized that he is indeed an African, with African thoughts of running away and of being free. He would talk about running away and I would always tell him that I am an American, and I think that made him mad but it made me mad when he called me an African. He can be stubborn, especially when he gets talking about when he lived in Africa and about what being an African meant. But under that African warrior is a sweet man, and a good man, and hopefully a good father.
i think that it’s really cool that this social studies class has decided to blog about Roots by writing as if they were a character. i think it really makes the students think about what it’s like to have lived in another period of time and as someone else. these blogs are very interesting to read and i think it’s a great way to learn about the past.
(written by Erik F.’s cousin)
Sam K
block D
Luther
Dr. Reynolds had just told me to stop dating. That got me on the down side. I wanted to keep dating (which I was still going too) but I want him to think I was broken up. But I still didn’t want to believe Dr. Reynolds told me to break up. My heart and my love for her was to strong for me to stay way from the woman I love. We are still with each other and we’re planning to escape together. It took some time figure out what day we were going to escape. We want to make the departure soon as possible. And we want to make the escaping quick and far away from here because we don’t want to get caught. I’ve seen others escape and when they get caught, it’s not pretty and I don’t want that to me or my love. We decided on a night to do it and then it came up so fast that I wasn’t sure if our plan settle in. But it did. Now my girl goes into Toby’s cabin you would most likely to be surprised at this part. She takes off her shirt and makes out with Toby. Toby knew the plan so we could escape. I have to say from perspective of the plan it was pretty convincing. Right after she got into the bed, one of the slave watchers comes in. (Great timing) That dumb fool is so gullible. He believed that they were together. After he gave her the shirt she was wearing and left, she got out of bed, came outside an d I hugged her and ran off. But we got caught. I was afraid of that. I’m going to punished severely. so will my girl.
Catherine Z. Block: B
In point of you as Fiddler ( as he knows that he is about to die. )
As the years were going by it seemed like everyone I know was growing up, getting bigger and stronger but me, I wasn’t growing or getting stronger I was getting, don’t get me wrong I was getting older and smaller, my back was hunched my arms and legs seemed to get smaller, meaning I was getting weaker.
You might think it’s funny, not me it aint, I couldn’t work or stay in the fields as long anymore, meaning I was leaving more work for Toby ( you no that n!gger I was told to fix up and teach to work the fields and obey our masters, the one who thinks of running all the time ) which wasn’t getting done as fast as it should because that n!gger is always finding ways to run off again. He don’t care bout anyone enough to stay put and not run off.
I also couldn’t play my fiddle as long or as hard as I used to which did make my master mad, boy does he love my playing ( how do you think I got my name? ). Even though I couldn’t play my fiddle as good my master he had me playing in everything that was going on meaning some nights I stayed up later playing which didn’t do me no good the next day.
Work in the fields wasn’t getting done as fast or as good as I used to do. I knew that each morning I got up in pain and went to go work in the fields that I was dieing. I knew I was sick because one night when I was in a carriage with Toby, I went to get off and play my fiddle for the master and I slipped off the carriage and I couldn’t catch my self my hands aint strong enough anymore. Toby asked me if I was okay and I told him of course I aint okay I was sick and I wasn’t getting better.
I don’t think I would really know that I was dieing and not only sick if it wasn’t for that one morning when I woke and tried to get out of bed but I was in so much pain that I couldn’t even move, so I laid there and laid there for what seemed like hours. As I lied there all I thought about was if I die right now then I’ll know what it feels like to be free and then I’ll know if it was worth for Toby to keep running away. I wondered if being free was any better then being here on the plantation the place that I have learned to call home and now I believe that know where else is home. Toby came in as I just laid there and he looked like he was very exited. I remember those words he said to me those words of African that I hate, he goes “Fiddler, I know a way we can get out of here me and you, we can go together, all we have to do is wait for the drums to go off, that’s when we leave that’s when we become free.”
When he said that I knew I wasn’t going to die now not until after all this happens, it would be luck for me to die before those drums went off and I knew that wasn’t going to happen.
It was a hot spring day when Dr. Reynolds came out to the fields and told Toby to come with him, belle ( his wife, Dr. Reynolds gave them permission to get married. ) was having her baby. I went with Toby to wait for the baby to be born that way he wasn’t waiting alone.
We were standing right outside the door ( I was leaning on a walking stick because it was hard for me to walk on my own anymore ) when Dr. Reynolds came out and told us that Toby had a nice, strong, healthy girl.
When Toby went in to see his baby I went back out to the fields but I was tired when I got back so I just sat down and fell asleep.
The next day about half way through me and Toby were sittin’ under a tree talkin’. We talked about many things but the last thing he told me was that he was going to name his daughter Kzzy meaning stay put, no one can take you away.
That was the last thing he ever said to me that I heard because I started to play a song on my fiddle, a song for me not a white mans song but true music my music. I wanted to play this song right now, not because I never get to play my own music but because I knew it was going to be my last song ever played, I knew I was going to die in a few minutes and I didn’t really care.
I felt my heart pound faster so I played faster my head hurt so bad so I played louder and my heart went faster so I went faster and then I just stopped, I felt my hand let go of the stick and I felt the last breath leaving my mouth I heard my last words from Toby and the last sniff of air and then I hit the ground and it was over my eyes closed and I was gone.
Alex H
Fiddler (when he knows he’s about to die)
I could feel it in my bones during the past few weeks; I had hard times getting up out of bed in the mornings and after sitting down for a while. I didn’t tell nobody I only thought I was getting old at first but after a few more weeks went by I could move without my body in aching pain. I knew my days were numbered. I just hope I can make it until Toby and Belle “jump the broom” I wanted Toby to get married because I passed away.
The night of the wedding I ignored all the pain I felt so I could have a good time at the wedding. As we arrive at the wedding Belle looked very beautiful; Toby looked like a very handsome man. As the festivities started enjoying their time. As the wedding started everyone quieted down. Soon enough they both grab hands and jump the broom, now they seal it with a kiss.
I felt totally painless all night until I got in the wagon to go home. Toby was nice enough to drive me back to my cabin. But instead we both decided to sit under our favorite tree. We sit down under a big oak tree, the biggest in the plantation. We talk about anything under that tree. It’s our favorite spot to sit and talk. I take out my violin and play like there is no tomorrow. I think it’s time that I tell Toby that I am going to die soon. But right before I get to the cuts in saying that he and Belle are planning on having a baby soon. I am so happy for them. I am surprised they decided so soon. They want kids; they’re not sure, he also tells me they have been thinking about it since a few weeks back.
I am very excited but I have to tell Toby about my problem before it’s too late. After I finish what I had to say Toby is silent. He tells me why you didn’t tell me this earlier fiddler.
Emily F
block A
Hi, I am Fanta. I was sold as a slave so now my English name is Maggie. I will be known a Maggie for the rest of my life. On the slave ship I met Kunta, we fell in love and then we were sold onto different plantations never to see each out again. Kunta came and got me and told me to come runaway with him and we would be happy back in Africa and have African babies. I like that idea but I am now in America and I will live but their rules as long as I can suck breath. We were talking and we got in a yelling fight and that masters heard us fight and then Kunta ran off. I was sad but I knew that I could not run with him. Kunta got his foot chopped of latter and I herd him scream. I wanted to go see what was wrong but I did not want to get caught, so I sat there and cried. I was told to not run off by the master, and I will do whatever he tells me. I wish I could live my life with Kunta make him happy but I can’t. Kunta and I think differently about being a slave and running away. He thinks that he should run until he gets free and he will go back to Africa and live the rest of his life. I hope he gets free, I really do!
Drew H
Block c
Dr.Rennalds after Toby’s foot is severed
I’m quite upset at those slave catcher fellows.
Their lucky I didn’t put a legal man on their tails, damaging my good property like that. My horrible drunk oaf of a brother gives me those slaves as a down payment on the pounds that were rightfully mine and no sooner than getting my moneys worth of them, before I even put them to work which makes them so valuable in the first place I lose the strong young ones foot. It will take him more than two months to recover; and his ability to work and lift heavy loads is substantially unproductive. I can’t sell him either because I won’t get nearly enough money to buy another n***r anything like him. I’m highly disappointed at those slave catchers. Plus, on top of losing Toby’s full working ability, that belly warmer Belle seems to have a liking towards him. The only thing Toby seems he can still do just as good as before is breeding. I do wonder if he will ever have any bed relations with that Belle; she is quite the character she is. If he can breed a good young buck of a son for me with the loyalty of that belle, I might just get my deserved worth of that slave after all.
Well, I must get back to my work, I’m a very busy doctor with a very busy schedule.
I am very pleased with this units method of doing home work. I’m a proud student of DCS and enjoy learning in a more productive way.
Thank you Mr.Fladd, you rock
Amanda G
Block: B
Dr. Reynolds (2nd owner) - when Toby is unconscious and delirious
Hello, my named is Dr. Reynolds; brother to Mr. Reynolds, and secret courter to his wife.
“Fanta, Fanta, Fanta!” murmured Toby. He’s just going to die. Ha! Some way of my brother repaying me; he knew all along he would die, he knew. Well at least I got some entertainment, and a fresh new breeder. No sir can that old man of hers be a father anymore he’s no good for that, just good for working in the fields; we’ll have to find her someone else to court.
“Toby” I said in his face, “Toby!” “Fanta, Fanta!” is all he said twitching, “Yup Fiddler, he’s got something bad, infection. Belle you watch over him let me know how he is each day; don’t think he’ll make it much longer”
“Yes sir” Belle said. All I can think about is how badly my brother repaid me, but I must not say anything for his wife whom I am in love with. Toby is unconscious. He doesn’t know anything just keeps repeating some African talk, the dummy; doesn’t he know we don’t understand that crazy language? It’s a shame to lose him because of all the money invested into him. I really hope he survives; there is a slim chance, if God is on his side. Belle doesn’t think he will die, she rubs his forehead and puts cool cloth on it and whispers, “You ain’t gonna die Toby, you just ain’t; Belle wont let you die.” Toby’s a good field hand, strong can load things on the wagons, and can get a lot done in one work day. If he does survive, will he able to walk? Toby having a limp will make him slow; he won’t be able to move as quick. Those dumb slave hunters, they got nothing better to do, they just cut the foot off, don’t give it any thought, just boom gone never again can he run. Why won’t they cut a finger off; at least they can still walk. Feet should be the last thing to cut off. They do it to lessen their work; they just cut the foot off so they won’t have to worry about the dang slave running anymore. Toby being sick has made my whole plantation run slow. Everyone’s too worried about if the African man will live. Dang man. So much energy put into raising him; teaching him real words, giving him a new name. The energy put into punishing him and looking for him when he runs. Most importantly the money put into him. Gone, all gone because he’s just going to die. It’s a real shame, it really is. My brother tries to repay me and his “money” dies; now he should owe me more money after all the time I put into trying to heal him. I want Toby to live, he is a slave. I want him to live, he is worth money.
Jake C.
Block D
Slave worker who cuts off Toby’s foot
I started working for Master Reynolds a few years ago. He told me my job was to help keep the slaves under control. He gave me pretty good pay for the job, and I found it fairly easy. Watch over the slaves, make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing, and punish them if they’re not. In my opinion, the whip is the best solution to most problems concerning the behavior of slaves. Give ‘em a good whipping and the problem’s solved. They get right back to work. And good work they better be doing, or they’ll have my whip to deal with time and time again.
But there’s this one slave who doesn’t respond to the whipping. His name’s Toby and he’s very big, even by African standards. He’s very good for lifting cargo and such. Useful as he may be, he certainly doesn’t have the attitude needed for a slave. I’ve heard stories about when he was younger. Master Reynolds bought him at an auction in Annapolis. Not long after he was bought, he tried to escape. Some of Master Reynolds workers caught him. Back at the plantation they whipped him and whipped him until he recognized that his name was now Toby, not one of those savage African names. After that he always showed a sense of pride in his heritage, but for why I do not know.
I have known Toby for a few years, and though I had heard of his previous antics, I have to say I was very surprised when he decided to try to escape. When we realized he was missing, a few fellow workers and I went to find him. We found him at another plantation, apparently hiding with one of the slaves there. Once we captured him I asked myself a question. What punishment does he deserve?
A simple whipping wouldn’t be enough in this case. We would have to do something that would prevent him from ever running off in the future. And then it hit me. We would cut his foot off.
No more running for you, I thought as one of the other workers helped me tie Toby to a tree. He looked extremely worried, as if he knew what was coming. I almost hesitated as I lifted the axe, because the realization of the intense pain Toby was about to feel came to me. It must really hurt to have you’re foot cut off, I thought. I lay in thought for a moment before I came back to the present. The axe was up and Toby was closing his eyes. The axe swung down.
An intense scream struck my ears. It lasted several moments until Toby calmed down. Well, now I knew that he would never be able to run away again. I had done my job and Master Reynolds would be pleased.
Seth C
Kunta Kinte/Toby on his Wedding Day
I have never felt so proud. I can not belive I’m already getting married. If only my family knew, they’d be poud of me. Oh how I wish they were here, but I should foget about Africa like Belle says. I hope to have a child and teach he/she about who they really are. I wish, that we were free. My foot still hurts still even though fours years have passed since. I wish that this was my home so then my family could see this. I am getting ready right now to go out to the ceremony, I am very nervous but at the same time excited. I see a lot of people out there most of them are slaves like me and I see Belle, she never looked so beautiful. I wonder what Wrestler would say if he was here, he’d be proud. I must pray that Allah will bring me luck, but I must do it before I go outside because praying for Allah is considered “wrong” by the white man and other slaves who have lost their pride unlike me who alse still prefers to be called by my tru name, Kunta Kinte of the Mandinka tribe. Now I must go out there get married. I hope that I’m dressed just right for the wedding. Today is the dawn of a new day. My first marrige ever, I am very excited for. I am very excited and full of pride.
[Last name removed]
Rachel M.
Block A
Man chopping off Toby’s foot:
Hello, I’m a slave watcher, I’m so mad that my life isn’t as amazing as I want it to be, that I love taking out my anger on n*****s. When I found out that that slave Toby had run away once again, I was pretty mad that I was chosen to go fetch him. Me and another man have to waste our valuable time to go fetch this hopeless n****r. We arrive at this plantation and I recognize this black man running out of a barn and running as fast as he possibly can. So me and the other man run off after him. Wow, he’s one fast n****r! Were so close to catching him when he turns around, there he is holding some object in his hand. The next thing I know, I feel a sharp pain in my face. I was too busy thinking of ways to make Toby miserable. I was very close to falling but I didn’t, instead me and the man get out a net so we can catch the n****r. We finally catch him; it is such a pleasure to see him squirm in the net, right at that moment it made me feel like my life was a whole lot better! After I get more pleasure of watching him suffer, we pin him to a tree. While the other man holds Toby down, I give him a signaled choice. Either he could get hit on the chest with an axe, or he could have his foot chopped off. (Again, I love the look in his eyes, I can see he’s in a lot of pain…I like it!) He makes choice to have his foot chopped off, well it doesn’t take a smart man to realize that, even a n****r who decided to run away had the common sense to choose the foot. I raise the axe with pride as I drop the heavy metal to his foot and hear him shriek very loud! I know when I return back to Master Reynolds, people will respect me more than ever.
[Last name removed]
Dylan K Block B
Hello, my name is Belle. When Toby proposed to me I went ballistic. I love Toby with all my heart but still I was thinking about my answer then…. Yes! I have married Toby!
At the wedding Fiddler was playing his fiddle for music. We jumped the broom. Then we let our booties shake on the dance floor listening to the fiddling of Fiddler.
But I don’t know why but Toby left me at the wedding, I was sad.
So I went looking for Toby to see what he was up to. Finally I found my honey sitting under a tree. I put my head on masculant shoulder and just sat there enjoying the weather.
Then I talked to him and he was coming up with some story about running away to the free land. I didn’t want to go but he kept going on with his silly story. He talked about when he heard a special drum beat that night and when we hear it we’ll run free to the promised land.
Kelsey
Fiddler-while Toby is sick after getting his foot chopped off
Toby got himslef caught today. He ran away and they caught him, again. They knew he would run away again and again. They did something bad to him. Real bad. They cut off his right foot. They cut it off so he wouldn’t run again. When Toby got back he had no hopes of living. He thought he knew he was gonna die. I had feelings that he was definitly not going to die. I tried to convince him otherwise but I couldn’t. He was just to stubborn. I did feel so bad for Toby though. He thought he wasn’t a man anymore. He thought that he couldn’t ever walk again nevermind run. He had no point in living anymore and he didn’t want to. I think he just wanted to lay there and die. I told him he was wrong. Wrong about everything. He bein african and all, well I know he should never give up. But he was giving up just then. I tried as hard as I ever did to make believe he would not die but live. I know then I couldn’t get him to live. I lost hope that he would live too. I know I would but I never thought he would lose hope. Then Bell came in. Bell was a real smart slave. She came in to make Toby get better. I left as soon as Bell came in. I don’t know how but she made him walk. She gave him krutches and made him so mad that he walked. She told him he should just give up and that he was bein dumb and stuborn. That he was going to die. She made him mad enough and he grabbed the krutches and got up. He told her hes gonna walk, and hes gonna do better then that. Hes gonna learn to run. He was always going to fight, he was always going to have african blood in him. And he was always going to run away and be free again. He didn’t care that he had only one foot now because of Bell he is gonna learn to run again.
Jell L
Block C
The wind whipped in my face. I bent my head low over my horse. I really wanted to win my race. My opponent was a British officer. My horse pulled ahead of my opponent. I was going to win! Oh no! The officer’s horse pulled ahead of mine. He started to laugh. I lost. He asked me if I wanted to race again but I declined the offer. I didn’t want to lose any more money. We started to talk about slaves, slave trading and the Mother country.
Unfortunately he didn’t bring good news. He said that other settlers were restless. That most of them were going to supposedly rise up and attack. Then two men rode up and told us that they were looking for an escaped slave. They appeared to be tired and thirsty so I offered for them to drink from the trough. They excepted.
“AHHHHHHH!” “AHHHH!” “AHHHH!”
“Maggie what is it?” I ask “Who’s in there with you”
A slave bursts out of the barn at full speed.
“Is that one of yours?” ask the men
“No.” I said
“ That’s our slave.” The men jumped on their horses and ride off.
Lauren M
Block D
Toby(Kunta Kinte) after Fiddler dies.
It feels like I’ve lost a part of my family. Not my family in Africa, but here. Fiddler was the only one that I could talk to that had a man’s opinion. I could talk to Belle, but Fiddler was the person I trusted the most. Fiddler was my best friend here. I always talk to him about being free. Being able to do whatever you wanted as long as it went by the rules of Allah. Having your own responsibilities, not the masters. I always tried to explain to fiddler what it’s like being free but I don’t think he ever truly got it. He was a slave his whole entire life. He now knows how it feels to be free. He finally knows what I’ve been talking about this whole time. Fiddler finally gets it.
I remember that anytime I had something on my mind, he would be there to talk to me. He would cheer me up in some kind of way. He was always on the bright side, everyday, in this terrible thing we have to call our life.
I want to feel the same relief that Fiddler will get from being free in Heaven. Free of all the cruelness, the back-breaking hard work, the harsh punishment and all the hurt. I want to know, especially, the feeling of not being considered property. Freedom is the one thing that I want and I know that Fiddler wanted it too. It’s a good feeling knowing that we can get what we want all in time.
[Last name removed]
Ryan S.
Block ?
Fiddler as Toby runs away.
I knocked in Toby’s door he didn’t answer me. I knocked again no answer. I walked in a saw him on his bed with some things in a bag. I asked what you doin Toby. He said he was going to run away agin after he dops me off he said he is going to just leave. When you gunna drive me to the hoe down. Later in a bit. No ways I said to him you have already experienced running away and you almost died. You got 20 lashes, you didn’t like it did you? Do you want that to happen again? HU? Don’t yous ever think of runnin away again. You can’t You will die I cant have that happen. My boss called me again to get going and I was sayin hold on a minute. Toby if yous run away again you might really get hurt or even die,don’t do it PLEASE don’t do it Toby. I have to I am not a slave person I want to be free againhe Said. NO i keped on saying. Later we both left so Toby could drop me off at the hoe down. Then I said you be really careful, He said he will be but im think in my head that he really will be. SO after he droped me off I started to play my fiddle for Dr. Reynolds and then I saw Toby off on the carry wagon , and all I could think of was yous be careful boy or yull get your self caught. Be carful. Dr.Reynolds wasn’t expecting anything so I thought he would be safe.Either was the carry wagon driver I saw him look back a cuple of time but I dont think he could see Toby at all, so I knew he was good and would most likley make it to the North.
Aidan B Block D
Dr. Reynolds when Toby wakes up
That D@$% N&%$#@ I cant believe he ran away from my brother again, and I cant believe that my brother has given though slave catchers permission to do what ever necessary to keep him from running away again. They’re going to ruin a perfectly good piece of property, if it doesn’t kill him from infection first. The slave catchers are the most incompetent beings out there, only one step above field hands, and my brother is screwing up by letting Mr. Ames go he was the one thing that was making the plantation work. Anyway my brother still hasn’t paid me back yet so I think I’m just going to have to strike a deal with him and he’s going to have to pay me in slaves. I’m going to take Toby and Fiddler for sure because they are the best my brother has and I think I will take that girl too.
Today the slave catchers brought me Toby I’m surprised he’s not going to have to loose the whole foot because they let it fester for so long. Right now he’s got a fever that just won’t break and he’s passed out floating in and out of conciseness.
I’m worried that we’re going to loose him, I doubt it though Belle won’t let him die for some reason she just likes him a lot.
Today he finally woke up and was looking better. When he woke up he just started screaming because he lost his foot and that he wanted to die, and that just what he wanted to do was die because now he thought that he couldn’t be a Mandinka warrior because he lost the end of his foot and he couldn’t run or fight. Belle asked for a pair of my old boots for Toby I don’t know what she expects to do with them because one won’t fit with half of his foot missing.
So I found out what Belle was going to do with the boot that would be to big she stuffed it with cloth and paper to make it fit and he’s walking now and I’m pretty sure he is now going to survive.
Kunta Kinte just after Fiddler dies.
I am Toby. And my best friend, Fiddler, that I have had for my whole life, died. He can’t leave me like this. I’ve just married Belle, and we have a baby girl named Kizzy. I miss Fiddler. I remember the day he died, I was sitting next to him by the bottom of a tree, and we were talking about Kizzy and if me and belle should name her that. He just sat there polishing his fiddle and listening to all the things I was saying and I remembered that the last thing he said was “I’m gunna play a song that Ol’ Fiddler wants to hear. I’m tired of playin fast songs for the massa. I’m gunna play a song that I wanna hear.” And with that he played his song until he died. When I think about it now it’s a very peaceful way to go. Fiddler was with me till the very day I got to America. He explained to me that my new name was Toby, and tried to explain the way of the people here. I even remember the first time when I ran away. I didn’t get very far but it felt good. And when they brought me back I was so tired they strapped me to a wooden thing and lifted me till me feet couldn’t touch the ground. And they whipped me until I said my name was Toby. But after when I gave up fighting and said my name was Toby, Fiddler came to me and washed off my back. He kept saying, “no matter what the massa says, you name is Kunta Kinte! Do u hear me? Kunta Kinte!” Fiddler was like the new father for me. (still nothing can replace my father back in Africa, Omaro.) He was there for me all the time, like a teacher. But life must still go on, I have a I child and a wife I must tend to now. Also I’m the new driver for the massa, I must do that job too. But Fiddler if you can hear me. I miss you and your music with all of my heart, and I shall never forget you!
JeremieS Block C
Fiddler as Toby runs away.
I just found out that Toby is planning to run away again. I’m playing the fiddle for the Reynolds family but I’m worried that Toby might get caught and get whipped again. I’m pretending to be happy for my master’s family as I play the fiddle but I’m sad because Toby might get hurt. I think Master Reynolds is going to be really mad when he fiends out that Toby is gone. I’m really hoping that he gets free. He might die if he’s caught.
[Moved from Instruction Page]
Maddi D
Block: B
12/4/08
Bell when Toby asks her to marry him
When the words came out of Toby’s mouth I was speech less. I gave him the biggest hug ever and didn’t want to let go because I was so happy. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with that man. I just dreamed of him asking me and that dream suddenly came true at that very moment. He just kept asking me if I could deal with him. After three questions I caught on to what he was trying to say. So many emotions where running though my head. Happiness, excitement, and I was also very fearful. I was fearful because I would always have that thought in the back of my head that master could always separate us and sell us to different plantations and ill never see him again and I love him so very much. The two of us will have to wait a few days before the ceremony but until then I can just imagine what it will be like to have such a man like him.
Toby on his wedding day
When I first crossed the giant river into the white man’s land, I remember thinking about how no good could come from leaving my family, friends, and Fanta. Now here I am, 9 or 10 years later and getting married to a woman that I love more than anything in this world, maybe even more than being free, but I still won’t give up that dream. This is not the place I had expected to get married in, on a plantation, nor is it the way I had imagined. Belle is not Mandinka woman, and she says she does not come from any African tribe. But I think that she has just forgotten her past. Belle is the woman I love and maybe we will start a family together. Only Allah knows what holds in our future. Maybe we will soon be free and run together, I am sure I can convince her. I just don’t understand why she does not want to run away back to where we really belong. What I do understand, though, is that we love each other and whatever I do or whatever happens, I will make sure I am with her until the end.
LauraQ Block A
Fiddler(when Toby wakes up & wants to die)
It wasn’t easy for me to watch Toby go through his pain. I almost gave up & assumed the poor n****r was going to die. The nurse Belle made me think he was in good hands. I was walking towards my duties and i heard a scream come from the shack he was in. I dropped what i was doing and ran to him. He was laying in his bed, sweat running down him like a man who’s been working in the sun for too long. I knelt down next to Toby and watched him carefully. He looked at me & told me in his own way “I dont want to live anymore.” I didn’t know what to say. This man didn’t seem like the type who would give up on something so easily. What he’s going through definitely isn’t easy though. Tears came to my eyes, i couldn’t let this boy just walk out of my life. I’ve been raising him since he was about 16. I should have never let him run away. I knew from the moment he stepped out that he wasn’t going to make it. He made it real far though. That boy has got some guts.
Toby has a way with his words. There strong & they hit you so hard its tough to take in. I can’t stand seeing him with his foot cut off. He doesn’t deserve this. I do. I’m the one who let him run away, i shouldn’t have let him. But there was nothing i could do about it. He wanted to, and i wanted him to be happy. When i walked into his room Belle was over Toby, caring for him. She must have a lot of patience. I think they have some sort of connection.
When Toby told me that he wanted to die i felt every last hope in me die out. Toby is very close to me and i cant let him die. He will survive, hes a strong man from Africa. I pray that he makes it out alive. I have such a guilty conscious. If Toby dies its the end of the road for me. He means lots to me. If i could i would take the pain away from him and give it to myself. Knowing that Toby has wanted to see this strange girl he always talk about, her name is, Fanta, i believe. That is where he ran to. I don’t remember the name of the plantation though. If he saw her then its safe to say that it was worth the trip. But what those cruel white men did to Toby is disgusting. If they knew why Toby wanted to run away they would understand. But their heads are too full of non-caring, self-centered thoughts. They only think about themselves in situations like these.
Toby will live, he will walk again, i promise myself this.
Jenny D
Block:A
Belle on her wedding day!
This is the day I will get married. But this will not be the first time. I am hoping that once we are married that Toby will never run away again. My first husbun ran away. After that my first master sold away my two baby girls. I just can’t let that happen to me again. I’ll just die. So I just have to put that behinde me. Because i’m merring Toby today. Every one is here i’m over filled with joy. I’ve found love once again!
We are standing in the front of the brom stick. I’m nevuce, happy, sad, every emotion was going through my body. I was praying that Toby would not just run away. So finally I said” I do” a sigh or relife came over me. Then it was Toby’s turn. Then he sais” I do” Then the biggest refive came over me. Now me and him were going to be togther for the longest time. We might even have a baby I thought to myself. That is if master don’t sell one of us off. Or if he runs away. So now we jump over the broom. We are married. Now Fiddler is playing his fiddle. We are all happy and dancing. Yet i see Toby go walk away. He goes to sit under a tree. I hope there is nothing wrong with are marrage all ready?
Cassidy M.
Block C
Dr. Reynolds (2nd owner)- when Toby is unconscious and delirious
Hello, my name is D. Reynolds. I’m standing here in front of Toby and he doesn’t look too good. See, Toby ran away after a big party. He must have thought that since people where drunk he could sneak away, haha; dumby. Now he is found, and people had to cut his foot off so that he would never run away again. Right now I am standing in front of Toby as he keeps saying his gibberish talk that only blacks understand. He keeps saying something like, “Fanta.” or something like that. Black talk, hah. I have Belle here to help him out; she seems to be quite interested in him. She pats his heard with a wet towel so carefully. Toby is stupid for running away. He never learns his lesson. He has gotten away twice and maybe this time he won’t. With his foot cut off now he shouldn’t be able too. He seems to have given up too. It seems to be that he is in much pain, so maybe he has learned his lesson. I sure hope so. If he dies, sometimes I think it’s for the best, because he won’t run away again. If he lives though, then we won’t waste money. I never thought that a slave could be so stubborn. He just doesn’t know what he’s messing with. But what’s done is done.
Chris Roberge
Block D
Kunta kinte meets drumer
I had just wished fidler good luck in his hoe down that he’d be playing in, when i heard a noise in the distance. a noise I was very familiar with, a noise I only heard in africa. I was soposed to make my baby brother one, but thats beside the point. It was the sound of a drum, it’s been so long i had almost forgoten the sound of it. I quickly ran towards it in search of the source of it. I wonderd where it was coming from. It was close now, very close. I stoped dead in my tracks with this figure in my sight. It apeared to be a man, an african man. we imedietly introdused each other and told about our tribes. then he told me how he too wanted to free and run up north to live new life. I told thats what I wanted too. He said too me,”If you realy want to be free, listen for the drum beat and come find me. And together, we will be free”. I agreed I would do as he instucted. I would be free.
WOW!!!! Some blogs are really really good. Keep up the good work you guys.
-Jenny D
Mahra L.
Block B
Dr. Reynolds(2nd owner)-when Belle asks for Toby to be driver
With a broad smile on her face, she stands before me. Asking if Toby, the runaway n!gger, with a limp, could become my new driver. I was going to question if he could even drive or no but the look on Belles face said that even if he can’t right now he could figure it out, I guess he was a smart n!gger.
I couldn’t say no she seemed so sure that he could take on the job, but I had just lost my driver and his youngen girlfriend, them two run off together.
I had a fear in the back of my mind that he may take off again, but with my horse, but as she begged “Masa Reynolds please,” I just had to smile back. Toby had to of earned her trust, because that was not easy. Belle only trusted the most trustworthy of people. But I have to think, whats going on between Belle and Toby, might they run off together too? Questions swirled my mind but her innocent smile never changed. I knew I had to trust her I had no choice. I was powerless to resist. I started laughing and her smile became broader, I started smiling too, I jokingly shooed her away and she knew I meant yes.
Fiddler When Toby Wakes Up
I was to happy to see kunta alive! He was alive! I knew he was gonna go get him self cought again, I just knew it. What they did to him was so cruel. They choped off his foot. After he woke up I was talking to him. He was all depressed he was talking all about how he aint no man no more. Well I was thinkin he was a man, but just a man with his foot choped off a bit. He was sayin all this african talk about how he was a mandinka warrior, and how he was no longer a warrior and this junk. Then bell was lookin after him she was tellin him all this stuff about him still bein a man and all that. Well i didnt want to get into but so i just left the room. But I still couldnt belive it, they didnt kill him! I was forsure they were going to kill him. After bell had a little talk he was all about learnin how to walk and how he was going to learn more then just walk but how hes gonna learn how to run. He must be the stupidist man I have ever known in my like he had all he wanted but he wanted to run away. He had bell now he couldnt run away. About a mounth later him and bell had there own little baby. Oh how she was cute. Kunta wanted to name her some african name, so he was gonna try and covince the masta to name her that. I was sure then he wasnt gonna go run off.
slave on plantation watching something that happend to Toby sometime in this episode.
Toby got a “bright” idea of running off, again. That boy will never learn, even after he almost got killed by the whipping he still has to try and run off. Said he was going to find Fanta, who ever that is. They must be pretty important to him . I mean for him to be risking everything for them. Well anyway after master sent the slave catchers off to catch Toby everyone was in a fuss. They knew if Toby came back he’d have a beating to come back too. Toby did come back, but not all there. They dragged him in, him was knocked out and footless. I don’t know what they did to him but he was sure in pain. He looked like a child’s rag doll all limp and lifeless. Belle took him in and nursed him back to health but he was crazier than a wild cat. Boy that man must have gotten it pretty bad. When he finally broke the fever he woke. He just wanted to die but boy miss belle wouldn’t allow that she messed with his head till he said he was gonna learn to run. Ha-ha you could see it on belle’s face how scared she was. She done messed up with that idea. They made him crutches to walk on and made special boots so he could walk. Soon he didn’t even need the crutches. The fire in his eyes showed he was gonna try to run again. I’m sure he will too. He aint never gonna learn. At least one good thing happened to him. He married the woman who saved his life, yes miss belle herself. Know those too are closer than anyone on this here farm. But is it gonna last? I betcha he’s gonna run and leave her for freedom. Seems like that’s all that’s on his mind, Africa and freedom!
Good job on this blog guys. I cant wait for our next one to see how good they are. =)
Sage M
Block A
Kunta Kinte after he decided he wanted to live
I woke up dazed, I could not see clearly. All I remember is the sharp pain in my foot up to the tip of my head. I have never been in that much pain before. I look down at my feet, left, and then right. What had happened to my right foot? In immense sweat I take a deep breath, I could not believe what I had been through. Only horrible thoughts ran through my head, I knew I would never be able to walk again. I had not known how long I have been laying there but my body was so stiff and I was in so much pain I did not want to go through it. Tears burning my eyes, I close them shut and whisper in my head “Allah, just take me now. I can not bear this pain no longer, please Allah. I hear a beautiful voice. A women slave named Belle, standing right beside me, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She smiled at me, I swear my heart jumped. She then bid me goodbye and walked out. I thought about what I had just seen. I then fell into a deep sleep and woke back up later. Belle was there once again, watching over me. I heard her say that she had made me special boots she picked them up to show me. I shook my head and told her I would never walk again, it was nearly impossible. I felt brave but not brave enough. I thought about everything I’ve been through in my life, took a deep breath, looked down at the foot that I no longer had, and shifted my body. My body was so still and stiff it reacted and I did not want to get up. I then put all my weight on my arms and forced myself up off of the wooden bed I had slept on for what had seemed like forever. As I finally stood up, I then took a chance, held my breath and put down my right foot. Belle looked at me, and she looked at me proud. I was so furious at her for making me walk. I took my first 3 steps, and I thought to myself, “I want to live again; I can make it through this.†That was the best feeling I had in a long time. I knew that if I just kept trying to walk, I could finally go back to normal and be a normal slave working on the plantation, I just had to believe in myself a little more.
[From email]
wow
these are all really good!
im so proud!!!
keep up the good work, love you all
kylie
Juleah H
Block B
Kunta Kinte / Toby – after Fiddler dies
I was sitting with Fiddler and we was talking about Kissy and how I just gots to name her Kissy because she will stay put and grow up to be a strong woman, just like her parents. She will make me proud, I just know she will. I was telling Fiddler about all that and that I didn’t know what to tell master because he will be wondering where I gots the name Kissy. Fiddler told me to lie to the white men and I tells him no, I do not like that lying business. He says it comes easy after a while, I will do it this time because it is for Kissy and that is the only way she will get that name. And then Fiddler, he starts talking about how he wants to play his song on his fiddle, no more of these white man songs, I was to caught up in talking about Kissy that I wasn’t paying much attention. I regret that like I regret wanderin off alone after manhood training, for those few words were the last that Fiddler will ever spoke. Alls the while he was playing his song, when alls of a sudden the music stop. It took me a moment to realize but Fiddler, he was laying there in the dirt, lumped over, and I knew but ats the same time didn’t want to think about it. The tears came before the words of distraught remorse. I gently propped Fiddler up and cradled him like I would to Kissy, I wiped the dirt from his worn and wrinkled forehead as I looked down at Fiddler I was not ready for him to go and to leave me here in this unfriendly world. He is free now and I just know that he is happier ups there. But me Im’s still here and now, even though Fiddler is gone I am here and need to be greatful for my life and Kissy’s and Belle’s. If it wasn’t for Fiddler I do not know where I would be right now. I wouldn’t be on this plantation for one thing and neither would Kissy. Fiddler was my first friend in this new world. He taught me how to be a good n!@@3r ands now all I have is the memories we shared. But he is in a better place now, he knows how it feels to be free at last. Now I’m not to familiar with this but it seems like to me Fiddler was sufferin and now he is in a better place. I tells him when hes all still, “Fiddler! Why you die on me? Now you know what it feels like to be free Fiddler!” Fiddler was my bestest good friend and as much as I hate to see him go, I dids not want to see him sufferin like I knew he was.
[Last name removed]
Haley
Block D
Belle hears the drummer.
was seating in my room after Tobby took Kizie out for some African mombo jumbo stuff. Tobby was talking to me about this guy in the woods in the middle of the night, named Pomeii about leaving and being free. And of course he’s from Africa so he’s into the mombo jumbo like Tobby. Can you believe that.
The nerve of some n****r’s. Some folks don’t know there place. Besides now that me and Tobby are married he an’t never gon leave me. I know it! But I’m just worried that he won’t trust me now that I told him about my last baby and marriage. At first he looked at me weird but then he said “you know I an’t never gonna leave you or kizie”.
I felt so relieved when he told me that he loved me, and I felt as if we would always be together. I knew he was the right one when he first came to Masta Reynolds farm. But yet when I told him that they sold my baby, and my ex-husband left me for the same reason(freedom) I knew that it would end up the same if Masta found out.
But the night before Tobby took Kizie he was talking about being free, and how I should go but I didn’t want to because I’m not stupid I know what would happen if I did leave. And besides how would we feed Kizie. I want a nice healthy life for her.
Ptrick E
Block C
Toby - When Kizzy is Born
On the day Kizzy was born I was sohappy to see my beautiful girl. It was the happiest day of my life. I named her Kizy because in Africa it means stay put. But I hope that she doesn’t sty put because I don’t want her to be a slave I want her to be free and to go to Africa so she can live the way I did when I was a kid. I will tell her about when I was akid how I ran free and I went through man hood trying. But I will not tell her till she gets bigger. When I went out with my master I hard a drum playing it sound like some thing I her before I walk up to a man that was laying the drum and we talk about running away from his master and going to a place were they hid slave a they will take us back to Africa. I ask him I would I know when to go. He played some thing form the drum. Hours later I talk belle about it and she said no stay here don’t run away from me. A hour later I went to a hill and said Kizzy I name you Kizzy because it mean to stay put. BANG BANG I heard the drum i stared to fallow the sounds of the drum minutes later belle eard it and stared to fallow the sounds she got to the hill and stared to cry because i wasn’t there but minutes I stared to run down the hill and she was happy o see me and see. I ask her if we should go and she said no because this is my home. I said NO this is not my home Africa is but for the family I’ll stay.
[Transcribed}
Samantha M
Block C
Belle
Hello my name i Bell and i am married to a good but ungrateful man named Toby. I’ve been woken here for about 20 years. I had to help Toby get back on his feet. I cleaned him up and served him food. A few weeks later i got to know him better. He and I got married. A little later i wanted him to know some things about me that I’ve never told any one. I told him i was married before and had to kids girls. but i got them token away from me. I help my old hubson try to run away they killed him.
what i was trying to tell him was that i was haven his kid. When i look at Toby i fill like he don’t want to be here. I want to help him got better and get him to realize that this is his home. I try to get Toby to realize that this is home and he is here with my.
We have a girl know and Toby wants to name here and he does. Toby token are girl up to the hill and and helled her to the sky then he herd the drum i was scared that he would leave me and take the kid, but he did not. We all had to go to fiddlers grave to say good by. Toby was the mane one that was upset that fiddler past away. We will teach are little girl ever thing we know to help her out. I will aways trust in Toby.
Botang Boderiakko(the drummer) Jason D Block B
On a normal day I work during the day and play my drums during the night for entertainment of the other slaves and the white men. I usually work in the fields and sometimes take items to other plantations with my master.
I like to play on my drums during festivals and holidays when we don’t have to work. Some of the other slaves play instruments like the fiddle and other types of drums. There aren’t many of us who can play instruments but those who can are really good at the one that they can play.
One night as I was playing in the woods a slave from a different plantation came up to me. As we talked I told him to wait for the signal and come as fast as possible when he hears it. A few days went past and I started to play the signal but he didn’t show up and I have wondered why he didn’t come. If he had come he might be free but he didn’t so I left without him and headed north to freedom.
I knew that if I got caught it would be my last time so I used the night as cover and hid during the day. I made it far during the night and I stayed in caves during the day so I could sleep. I didn’t know how far I had to go but I knew it was a long way till freedom and I couldn’t wait ti be free.
HEYY GUYS.
I just felt like saying hi to all of you and good job to most of you! =) <3 <3 <3 =)
-Guy who gets hit in the face with rock
That dang Toby has ran off again. This boy needs to learn his lesson, he knows that there aint no way he is escaping. We saw him start to run off, as long as he is in our sight we are going to catch him. Last time this boy ran away we took the search dogs with us, we found tracks in the snow, then the dogs smelt him out. Toby dont realize how good these dogs are at tracking down a sent. Mastor Reynolds thought that he would have learned his lesson from the whipping he got last time, untill he accepted the fact his name was Toby. Master Reynolds was wrong this boy wants so escape any way he can. I bet its to look for that Fanta n!gger. He knows he aint going to go see her any time soon, he should just keep his butt planted here. As we raced our horses after this boy, he was running fast, but not fast enough. We trapped him, he has nowhere to go now! HA! Oh know what are you going to do Toby ?! Huh? Why is he reaching for the ground? Is that a rock hes picking up? If he throws that at this horse animal i am riding i am going to go flying!. OH NO! ——– (after he gets hit) That dang boy Toby hit me with a rock that day when he knew we were going to catch him. If Mastor Reynolds doesnt whip him with the bull whip i am going to have to. He deserves it. I could have lost an eye in result of this, this is crazy this boy shall be killed for all the things hes done, he doesnt deserve this kind of freedom, this animal.
Master renalds
By Nate M
Block C
Master Renalds: “I’m not sure if Toby will be alright, he hasn’t woken up yet since we treated his wound. I can not take anymore time to treat him.”
Bell: “I will take care of him for you master Renalds”
Master Renalds: “very well, he is all yours.”
After this conversation with Bell, I went to my office to think on what had just happened. “stupid slave catchers,” I said with a cold voice, “ if they had just caught him and brought him back to me, now I am down one less slave. This one was a hard worker and as strong as an ox. Fiddler is very angry about this and is so sad that Toby might not make it. If he does make it, I will not decide to take anymore chances with him, I will have eyes on him at all times. Fiddler will become my personal spy. If Toby even thinks about running off, I will know.
Four days later…..
Bell: “Master Renalds come quickly; Its Toby, he’s waking up.”
Master Renalds: “Ill meet you there, (When I get there), Toby are you all right? Do you have any problems with our vision or your hearing?
Toby: “Yes, Toby alright-MY FOOT!!!! ITS GONE!!!! OH NO NO NO NO!!!!
Master Renalds: Now Toby relax, there are only a few problems with this, you will probably never walk again, and you will probably, no, you will never run again.
Fiddler: TOBY!!! When Bell told me you were awake I just jumped for joy!!!
Toby: Fiddler I am just going to lay here and die.
And that’s when I left the room.
[Last name removed]
When i got up i just knew that i had to see fanta. I loved her so much. i was thinking all day about running. Lots of white folks had wagons and i had to load lots of crops on to it. The white folk said i was dumb but as strong like a ox. I didn’t get what he was saying so i just stared at him. Then masa said i was being really good and told me to keep it up. so i was thinking and i had to run away to night and find fanta. i just had to.
Chelsea
Block C
Bell- when Toby wants to die.
Master Reynolds gave me this African man to take care of. They told me his name is and that I was to take care of him until he got better. He tried to run away and got the top of his foot cut right off. Those dumb slave catchers. He was very delusional at first, mumbling things I don’t even try to under stand. But one ay he wakes up. Says he wont eat anything, says he wants to die but I won’t let him. He thinks that all of his pride is gone because he thinks he won’t be able to walk again. Says there no use in him livin. He will walk again I just need to find a way. Give him something to live for.
The next day I gave him a pair of crutches and tell him that he will use these to walk. He tells me no; that he doesn’t care anymore he still just want to die. I tell him that he isn’t a very strong African if he won’t walk again. He tells me that he is a Mandingcan warrior and he is strong. Than why aren’t you walkin I say. He then gets up and starts to use the crutches to prove me wrong. And later he even starts to walk without the crutches showing me how tough he is. I new I would be able to get him to talk. It just took some smarts in what to say.
[Moved from Instructions page]
Hey i dont even no you guys but this is so cool. i wish we did this at our school.
woah! really great blogs… cant wait to see what other things people come up with! keep of the GRRRREAT work everyone!
Belle when Toby wakes up and wants to die
Hi I am Belle. A few weeks ago, some slaves were “bought” from Dr. Reynold’s brother John Reynolds plantation. One of the n****** names was Toby. Toby tried to escape one night and he got caught by a couple of Slave Catchers. The Slave Catchers caught him and cut off half of his right foot. The Slave Catchers asked if he wanted his …. um ….part cut off or half of his foot and Toby chose half his foot. The Slave Catchers brought Toby back and he was in a coma kinda. He kept saying things in his sleep. I think he was saying things in African or some weird, god awful language. I was dabbing his for head with wet towels because he was burning up. I was helping him heal and he woke up one day ( finally ) and he said that he just wanted to die because he didn’t have a foot. I kept telling him that he can just lay there and die, to try to convince him to get up, but it didn’t really work until one day my reverse psychology actually worked. That day I felt pretty good for that Toby. Wile I was helping Toby get better some people on the plantation helped make him a pair of these things that would help him walk. When Toby first got up I was proud for him. Even though he could not run I could tell he was happy to be able to walk again. In the end me and Toby ended up jumping the broom with each other. I am glad Dr. Reynolds bought Toby!
DJ O
Block D
A few weeks ago I was drumming in the forest were I met an African like myself. His name was Kunta Kinte. I told him my name was Botang Binkiro. He told me he was the driver for one Dr. Reynolds. He told me he was planning to run away. I told him I was planning to run away too. I told him that when he heard this African beet to follow it to the source(me). I took of from my masters plantation late at night.
Now I sit here on this hill and wait for the right time to call Kunta. As I wait I have time to reflect on my life. I remember the Gambi Bolongo. The woods of Africa. The beauty of Africa. The trip to America, hard but I met so interesting people. My life on the Master’s plantation. And now this is were it all comes down to. I will have more to reflect on if we don’t get caught. But if we do this is the end.
Well here it goes.
Bum bumbum dada bum, Bum bumbum dada bum , Bum bumbum dada bum
Were is that n*****! I’m near his master’s plantation! Were is he!? This is pissing me of!
I’ll Play only one more time!
Bum bumbum da
Whoa was that a dog! Well im not sticking around to find out!
*please note that this is from what might of bean the point of view of this character. He did not spend a lot of time on screen so he was hard to figuere out
you guys! all your blogs are AMAZING. the effort put into this is really suprising and shocking! but its really good! i dont think people expected writing this good from us but its obvious we proved them all wrong. Keep up the great work!
(Slave on plantation watching something happen to Toby)
I seen what they did to him poor Toby and all my hopes for running off… well they gone know. He was the toughest, strongest, and most free spirited one nobody could hurt him. Yet with one swing of an axe and he was slow as a old worn out horse. Toby’s pride and reason’s to live where long gone by know. All he wanted to do was die; he didn’t even want to get out of his bed. Miss belle sure fixed that though, she got him up and walking not to long after he woke up. His fire was back and he was strong even though the slave catchers cut half his foot off. He returned our hopes of escaping. He was still going to run, he is never going to be stopped. He was born and raised free, aint nobody gonna take that from Toby! Miss belle told him if he wanted food he’s gonna have to get up and get it. That sure inspired him know he talking about running again. His mind is long gone, and he’s the one that gives us the hope that someday we are gonna be free as well. Toby gonna learn to walk, then run, then he gonna learn to fight the white men back. We gonna be free you gonna see, then the white men are gonna be sorry.
Block b