Welcome to Bedtime History. Hello, this is Breck.

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Imagine walking into a large village in the 1600s.

Tall trees surround the village and a wide river runs nearby.

You hear the laughter of children playing and the sound of women pounding corn into flower.

The village is full of longhouses, wooden homes covered with bark.

Inside a longhouse, many families live together. Smoke rises from the fire in the center,

warming the home. Baskets hang from the rafters filled with dried corn, beans, and squash.

These are the main food of the people here. The men have

just returned from hunting. They bring deer and fish to share. Women begin cooking over open

fires while children help prepare the meal. The air smells of roasting meat and the sounds of the

bustling village create a warm, lively atmosphere.

Elders sit together, telling stories of their ancestors, passing knowledge down to the next

generation.

Early the next morning, a group of men prepares to leave the village.

They are hunters, setting off on a long journey to gather

pelts for the fur trade. They move quietly through the dense forest, stepping carefully to avoid

breaking twigs underfoot. Their sharp eyes scan the ground for tracks, and their ears listen

for the rustling of animals. Using their bows, they take down deer, beavers, and other animals.

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