This segment shows a scene from a play set in the 1820s. The play follows Abby, a young girl growing up in the American frontier. In this scene, Abby and her favorite rag doll meet John Chapman, better known as “Appleseed John,” and his companion, Pakanke. Chapman is grouchy and suspicious at first, but both he and Pakanke respond positively to her “rag-doll-come-to-life.” The fun is soon squelched when Abby talks about clearing the land.
Classroom activities and discussion questions available on PBS LearningMedia.