Classroom Detective Story: The Mystery of the Pilgrim Quilt

Tessie was getting nervous. There was a figure fast approaching and she had no intention of breaking into a box full of bones. “Chan, quick; what do we do next.” Chan looked impatient, “There should be a place for the key.” Tessie quickly ran her hands up and down the sarcophagus and found that there was a loose section. “Quick, help me.” The two boys ran to her side and together they pried the stone away. Behind the stone was a keyhole.

Tessie looked up and saw that a figure was standing right in front of them. She couldn’t see a face. It stretched out its hand out for the key. The group screamed with fright until the figure stepped forward. It was Mr. Howland, the Janitor. “Alright you kids; what are you up to?” Ms. Bradford was running close behind him, “Are you kids alright? Mr. Howland has found the quilt safe and sound back in the classroom before he left this evening.” Chan had a funny look on his face. Everything was starting to make sense.

A police car made its way to the park. When the door opened, Detective Fletcher stepped out and made her way over to them and said. “I see you’ve caught the culprit.”

Chan cleared his throat and spoke as clearly as he could as he asked a very important question,”Tessie, please explain to us how you got this key?” Tessie looked down with embarrassment and replied, “I took the key out of the quilt patch and made a hole in the quilt. So, I took the quilt home and sewed up the hole. After dinner, I snuck in before Mr. Howland left and put it back into the classroom. I’m real sorry Ms. Bradford.” Chan cleared his throat because he wasn’t done solving the mystery this time he spoke to his teacher, “Ms. Bradford, Mr. Howland is also an ancestor of one of the original Pilgrims; Mr.John Howland. Your quilt was made by all the ladies in the village and a key was placed inside one of the patches and sewn in. Mr. Howland wanted to show you letters from his ancestors explaining this. The key opens a secret compartment on the sarcophagus; a treasure meant for Mr. Howland from his great, great, great grandmother.

All six turned back to the sarcophagus. Tessie placed the key in the key hole then turned to Mr. Howland, “How about you do the honors Mr. H.” Mr. Howland smiled and knelt down on one knee. With a shaky hand he twisted the lock and a perfectly square stone slid out. It was a box. “Open it Mr. Howland.” Chan said with excitement. Mr. Howland opened the box. There, shimmering in the sunset, was a box filled with English coins.

With tear filled eyes, Mr. Howland smiled and said, “This is the most wonderful Thanksgiving gift I’ve ever seen; thanks to you kids.”

~ Gabe Willows