# data[].attributes.body
Hello, my name is Matthew Henson and I am seven years old. My mother died when I was young and her and my father had three girls and one boy. That one boy is me and my dad is a sharecropper.

~8 months later~

Father died and now my 3 sisters and more are living in an orphanage.Life has been sad since my parents have died. One day I want to adventure the world and sometimes I imagine that the orphanage is like a jungle adventure.

~10 years later~

Life has been an emotional roller coaster for me.Like when I went to sea for a couple of years. Lots of ups and downs but soon I will be going to The University of Harvard. I can’t wait to get there and study.

~4 years later~

One day, I’m working at my hat shop  and a man by the name of Robert Peary approaches me and tells me about his adventures. He said he likes my knowledge and offers to take me on one of his expeditions. Can’t wait to go.

~18 years later~

Back from one of the greatest adventures ever. I became the first person on the North Pole. All of my team were at least 40 minutes behind. I am also a great example for an African-American that we can do anything. That’s all for today.

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Matthew Henson, I am an orphan. I just managed to get a ship captain to hire me as a cabin boy. Life has been pretty rough, but I do get to travel the world. I get teased a lot because of my position, although I do manage to drown it out. Hopefully, something better happens to me later in life.

The captain of the ship died, which put me out of a job. I went around asking for jobs, but no one would hire me because of my skin. After I finally found a job restocking shelves, A man named Robert Peary asked me to help him find the North Pole. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! I accepted the job and can't wait to travel around the world.

We failed to make it to the North Pole twice, but this time we have a plan. There are teams who will leave supplies for us at different camps so we can make it to the North Pole. The final team just left, and we are on our way to the North Pole! I was walking across ice when I fell into the freezing water! IT FELT LIKE I HAD BEEN IN THERE FOR HOURS(Hyperbole), but I got pulled out. After I recover, we will continue the journey. We are now at the North Pole and Peary is checking if we are really here. I FELT LIKE I HAD A TON OF CANDY(Idiom). It has been confirmed that we are at the North Pole!

# data[].attributes.body
I have been working with Robert Peary to be the first people on the North Pole. When we first left the shore the temperature became cold and unforgiving. After one month of traveling we  finally greenland which is 500 miles away from the north pole. We set up camp in greenland. the ship headed back to New York and would pick us up in a year.
We  met Inuit people who were native to Greenland. The Inuit taught us how to ice fish and hunt. Peary hired inuit women to sew us  seal skin moccasins and fur clothing that felt like you were laying in a bed(Simile). They me skills that normal americans wouldn't have. They taught me the language they spoke and how to dogsled.
We went on five more expeditions over the years. and now we were only 150 miles away and then suddenly, there was a  splash! I fell in the freezing ice cold water. It felt like I was in water 2,000 degrees below zero(Hyperbole) and I thought i would die but then some of the inuit people lifted me up. soon we reached the pole and I planted the flag. and then I realized that we did it after almost twenty years of hard work.

# data[].attributes.body
Today a man came into the shop, he was a U.S. Navy electrical engineer who was getting ready for an expedition. His name was Robert Peary. He offered me a job as a cabin boy aboard his ship. I accepted his offer. I have been working at this store forever(Hyperbole) and this finally gives me a chance to get out of the store.
We've returned from central America and Peary is already planning a yearlong trip to Greenland. He asked me to join him as his manservant. It took a long time for me to make up my mind, it is very could in Greenland and Peary wanted to go to the geographic North Pole. Many people have tried getting there but no one has survived. We have started packing up for the trip to Greenland and by the look of how much we have packed it's going to be a pain to bring it all.
We've arrived to the "Kingdom of Ice". The whole country felt like we were in a freezer.(Simile) We had some help from the native Inuit who sewed fur cloth and sealskin moccasins. The first month here we've spent building sleds and preparing food. I think im starting to understand their language and I have started to get invited to many Inuit celebrations, some Inuit people are teaching me to fish and drive a dogsled.

# data[].attributes.body
Today was the day of my life. A man named Robert Peary came into the clothing store I had been working at for at least forever. (Hyperbole)Peary is an electrical engineer for the U.S. navy which is a really cool job and after telling him about my education and skill about sailing he invited me to be a cabin boy. Although I am not sad with the job I got I am unhappy thinking that because of my race Peary wouldn’t treat me as equal even if I was better than him. I remember the first time I became a cabin boy when I was twelve I don’t know if I liked it much but it helped me get my education. Bye, that’s all for now. Until next time.

Sorry that I haven’t written in a long time. I’ve been busy preparing for the first trip to the Arctic we’re making. It is kind of exciting that we might be the first people to the geographic North Pole, but also kind of scary because of how many people die trying to get there. I truly think we will be the first people there, but I know of the risk and the reward and I am ready. That’s all for now, we’re about to leave for the North Pole.

I haven’t written for a while because nothing interesting happened on the ride here but now that we’ve settled in we have met these people called the Intuits. These are the native people who just today taught me how to icefish hunt and build igloos like the one I’m in now. It’s not the most comfortable or warm but it certainly is more protecting than whatever else we had planned.  I think that Peary only wanted the Intuit as employees where he paid them to give him stuff but I think I am going to try to be friends with them. That’s all I can do, for now, I need to get a good nights sleep for tomorrow, Bye.

This is going to be the best week. After almost dying about 100000 times (Hyperbole)we are finally going to make it. We are going to be the first to the North Pole. Peary got some of the men to build supply igloos all the way, and now we are going to take almost a week to get through starting tomorrow. One week later, We did it! We were the first to the geographical North Pole, I am still excited even I probably won’t get as much recognition as Peary will. The way I think it’s about the adventure, not the reward.

# data[].attributes.body
It has taken us two tries to reach the North Pole already.  Now, we are setting out on one final expedition, in hopes that we find the Geographical North Pole. Man, I can't believe this all started from one fortuitous decision to work at a clothing store. One day Robert Peary walked in looking for supplies to take with him on his next expedition to the North Pole.  I asked him why he was buying winter gear because it was spring, for goodness sakes! He said he was going to the North Pole and why was it any of my business?  So, I slunk back into the corner, but unable to contain my excitement any longer, MY BODY TOOK OFF LIKE THE ROCKET ON THE APOLLO 11 TAKEOFF (simile). I had so many questions to ask and so little time to ask them. After a while, Peary chuckled and said, "Son, you seem to know a lot about sailing. Would you like to accompany me on my adventures as cabin boy?" I reckon he didn't want to put me as first mate just because of my race. Anyhow, I was going to the Arctic! That night when I got to my tin house, I packed up all my belongings, including my favorite book, "Exploring for the Young Mind" I was so excited that I couldn't sleep that night. After what seemed like years of waiting (HYPERBOLE), we finally set out to the North Pole. But to my great relief, we explored Greenland first, finding the Northernmost tip and we also discovered that it was an island. I had a great time there, bonding with the Inuit people and learning their language. They taught me how to control  the dog sleds and how to  eat their food. It was all very exciting. Then, we found three giant meteorites to sell for funding to get supplies for our trips to the North Pole. It was quite a lot of money and some of the men on our team were very regretful to spend it all on food and other supplies. I won't be surprised when I find a twenty dollar bill in someone's kamik. After two failed attempts, we set out on our last journey, packing enough food to last us a long time. The teams of men left before us, following Peary's system. They were going to travel a while, build an igloo, stock it with food, and then come back. Peary and I would then rush through the line of igloos, all spaced out by about a day's journey. We would then reach the North Pole and chart it. I was racked with nerves when the first team set out on their mission: build an igloo and get back without dying. Finally, the last team was back from their million year journey (HYPERBOLE). At least, that's what it felt like for me. As we loaded our sled with other supplies that we might need, along with a bit of food and excitement (IDIOM). My anxiety disappeared as the sled shot off with Peary shouting, "Mush! Let's go!" I felt the familiar sting of ice, snow, and wind on my face as we plowed through the endless stretch of white beauty (METAPHOR). The shouted commands to the dogs echoed through the air, bouncing off cliffs, and being smothered by the occasional gust of wind or wild howl. I squinted my eyes to keep out the shards of ice that were now whistling through the air. I bent down to retrieve my tattered copy of "Exploring for the Young Mind", but I fell off the sled. One of the dogs spotted me and started barking. Ootah also saw my fall and hurried to pull me out of the frigid water. My lungs were burning and I was sure I was going to die. My dream was so close, I couldn't leave it at this. Ootah later said that I was going in and out of consciousness. They loaded me back on the sled and as I drank tea, I quickly recovered and thanked Ootah for his kindness. We continued our trek across the frozen seas and I was astonished at the thought of all the life living under my toes. I pulled out my book (not falling into the ice this time) and started to read. I read for a long time before we had to change shifts. I controlled the dogs and Peary lit up a cigar to fill the icy air with smoke. After five days of travel and a couple encounters with polar bears and wolves, we were so close. I got out the Chronometer and Peary got the Sextant. We measured and we found that we were only five miles from the North Pole. Ootah and one of the other men high fived and Peary and I headed back to the sled. We were not done just yet. After another day's work of sledding and we made it. When we got home,  Peary got so much attention. I didn't mind, though. I was happy to be home with my wife and son. Of course, my community threw a welcome home party and I received some awards. What really made me mad, though, was when a couple years later, my niece got punished for saying that I was a famous explorer. What an injustice! I would say that greatest accomplishment out of all this was getting accepted into the Prestigious Explorers Club when I was seventy years old. Now my next wish is to be buried with my good buddy, Robert Peary. Then all my dreams will have come true.

# data[].attributes.body
Today I was walking on the frozen Atlantic Ocean. Then I slipped into the icy water. The water felt like I was being stabbed by frozen pieces of ice! I surely  would have died  had  Ootah haven't grabbed me and pulled me up tis, saving my life. Now I know for sure I will make it to the Arctic. two days later Robert Peary and I were on the dog sleds when we finally reached the North Pole

# data[].attributes.body
March 1st, 1909

Today, me and my partner Robert Peary are going to make our last trip to what we think might be a new area that has never been found before. The journey in this place has been gruesome. I am eating a hard biscuit and one pemmican, and to water that down im drinking some hot tea. Usually, the hot tea would be nice at home, but I have grown sick of it here for the past days. For the past few days of being in this place, I have gotten frostbite multiple times. My toes feel like ice blocks almost always.

After the exploration

The snow infinitely long and it was harsh. We found today is what we think could be the spot, I brought the American Flag to post in what we are going to call the “North Pole.”  I was on my way back to the igloo for the night in a great mood knowing that my dream had come true. On the way, I slipped and fell as my body started to panic. The ice old water was dragging me down and I could not take it anymore. My arms were numb as a rock. Thankfully the Inuit Man I became close friends with rescued me out of the water.

2 Months later

My dream was to go down as a successful explorer. My dream was so close but not there. I had not received the  equal amount of credit that the world gave Peary just because of my race. I hope that one day people will realize what good African Americans have done.

# data[].attributes.body
On Friday, in February 1891, a man with a mustache came into my clothing store. He was looking at hats when he saw a sailor’s hat and said, “Did you know I am a sailor, and I am going to be the first man to reach the North Pole?” I was truly amazed because I, Matthew Henson, want to be the first man to reach the North Pole! I then said “Really! I was a cabin boy on a ship just a few years ago and it would be amazing if I could go to the North Pole!” And then to my amazement, he said I could be his manservant! I, of course, said yes. I WAS SO EXCITED I COULD HAVE JUMPED OVER THE MOON! (IDIOM)

~A few months later~

My captain, whose name was Robert Peary and I later entered the ice cap of Greenland and figured out it was an island. There we met a tribe called the Intuit People. I quickly mastered their language and they taught us how to make igloos and what to hunt for and eat in the arctic. The food they made was delicious! In 1897 we found 3 huge meteorites and sold them to a museum to fund our next expedition. In 1902, we tried 5 more times to reach the North Pole but didn’t succeed. With the money from the meteorites, Peary bought an ice cutting ship called the Roosevelt. It helped us get farther, but we were still 174 miles short of the topmost part of the world. We were so close, yet so far.

On March 1st, 1909 Captain Peary, twenty-two other men, 130 dogs, and myself set out on the Roosevelt to go to the North Pole. We got to Greenland and then Peary divided the twenty-two other men into five teams, with Peary and I the sixth team. We used a system of men going a certain amount of miles and built an igloo and then turned back for the next team to go and finally, On April 6th, 1909 we were the first people to reach the top of the globe! WE WERE ALL SO HUNGARY WE COULD HAVE EATEN A POLAR BEAR. (HYPERBOLEZ) Our whole team was so happy!

# data[].attributes.body
April 3 1909

I could see the ice and I saw how close we had got. We were coming up to a mile from the north pole.I have spent so long trying my hardest to get to this spot and I am not quitting.The racism I had dealt with. The near death experiences. That has made me strong and now my dream is so close. It has felt as if people were pulling me back like as if a owner was telling a horse to slow down but still powering forward. (simile)

The more that I kept moving the more I could not feel my body. I had already lost 8 toes. They snapped off like chunks of ice snapping off.(simile) When those toes came off I just kept going even though they were part of my body. This place was a far place no human or even animal would go. The dogs were guided by me and I had no idea where to go but forward. I felt so close then I realized I had fell.

On a fall normally I would get up but this was different I had fell in water. That moment had almost broke my heart. I was so close yet now I was so far. I had no chance. Yelling for my crew mate I had no chance. I was going to be added on to the other 100 men that had died trying to get to the north pole. Then It felt as if a gust of air hit me and I flipped forward back on my feet some how I was back up. My legs were frozen I got food that I packed from the Inuit people and I got my blood flowing. I had done the impossible I had made it to the north pole.

# data[].attributes.body
December 25th, 1902
We have been making our trip to the north pole for the first time. But we are running low on food I'm trying to think of something the inuit said about making food so we can continue the trip but I have a headache and i'm very tired I honestly think this trip just might not be the one.
January 13th, 1903
It has been a few weeks since we've tried to go to the north pole. I know what we have to do but Peary  thinks we can just do the same thing again but Peary said my plan was FLAWED IN AN INFINITE AMOUNT OF WAYS (HYPERBOLE). But I told him that if we did this plan it would take a long time but it would work.
June 27th,1908
It has been five years since PEary has talked to me he never picks up my calls.But I think I have perfected the plan after all these years.So I went to Peary's house and told him the plan and he said"well why didn't you tell me this all that time ago".I said did you not hear me before?But anyway we went out of town to look for men who had experience in making igloos.
December 25th,1909
This would be my last trip with Peary and if it failed then my whole career would have almost been for nothing.So we went from igloo to igloo taking all the supplies and trying to exhaust all of it before the next igloo when we arrived to the final two igloos we tried to save most of the food and we finally did it we arrived at the north pole and me and Peary were so happy but then it hit us, we...have...to...go...back .We instantly started taking TONS OF FOOD AND SWALLOWED IT ALL(HYPERBOLE). Hoping it would last us and it did we arrived back and Peary got credit for being the first man to the north pole but I didn't

# data[].attributes.body
(I hope I did it right!)
1887
I saw a young man walk into the store and a pang of jealousy hit me. I instantly thought of my days being the cabin boy of the Kaitie Hines and all the work I had to do. At the time, Some of the work I had to do felt like torture, but I got over it. Some of the time it felt llike I had to lift TONS of boxes or clean every surface of the ship. Even though I felt that way, I knew it was worth it.

Most of my memories apon ship are good ones. I remember one day where we were passing through Africa and I saw a herd of elaphants by a pond. I remember a baby trying to reach the trees but coming a bit short.  Also I remember another time where we were passing through Asia and we saw a great mountain with really weird clouds that looked like something from a dream on top. Later I found out it was called MT. Fuji.

"*Ahem*", one of the customers called. Oops, I frogot I was still here. The boy had left by now and standing in front of me was an older man, probaly in his thirties, wearing a white coat with what looked like a captains uniform poking out. He handed me his recipt and I looked at it. It was all stuff you would need for a sail.
"Going out for a cruise?", I asked.
"No. I'm actually going to explore the ice caps of Greenland. Thouugh, I am going by boat.", he replied.
"I remember my days as a cabin boy on the fine Katie Hines. That was an amzing experience!".
And so I told him about my days aboard ship and he asked, "Wanna come with me on my next adventure?"
I wanted to scream yes but I knew I shouldn't and politley said, "Sure, it'll be fun." and gave him his supplies and a note that included my adress.
The rest of the day went by like a blur, I felt like my head was in the clouds. I was so excited!

# data[].attributes.body
1909
It's been a few years since Robert Peary and I have tried to be the first people to reach the top of the world. We are so close to discovering an area that most people don't even believe exists. We have failed twice but we are still determined to reach the most northern part of the world.  I was getting tired of eating the same food all the time and constantly traveling in the cold. Everyday I look out into the distance and see only snow and ice wondering when we will reach our destination. From our long journey I have learned math and how to build an igloo. These really helped out because igloos were our only shelter we could use on our journey. So far THIS JOURNEY HAS FELT LIKE FOREVER(SIMILE).

April 6, 1909

Today I had a strange feeling in my stomach as we were traveling on ice. I felt like today was the day we would make the discovery of our lives. We have been traveling for many days now and now one of the Inuit people FELT LIKE THROWING IN THE TOWEL(IDIOM). I told him to keep his head up and keep going. We kept walking for hours and my feet began to freeze but I just shook it off because I knew we were getting so close to the north. By this point I believed we were there, but Robert Peary told us to keep traveling. One of the Inuit people sighed and looked down. He then raised his head and told me that we were going to make it . I smiled and put my hood up then we started walking again. The ice then felt slippery and I fell on the ice. I was in shock, falling in the freezing cold ocean. I thought I was going to die before I reached my dream, but right as I closed my eyes, I felt Ootah catch me. He saved my life. A few days later we reached the top of the globe! I planted the flag with great pride, smiling at Peary and all the Inuit people who helped on our journey.

Years After the Discovery

I haven't really been rewarded or noticed for discovering the North Pole. I know it's because of my race. I still won little rewards, but my friend Robert Peary earned all the glory and fame for discovering. Even though I was the one who placed the U.S. flag, Peary got all the rewards. I'm happy for him, but I believe since I'm African American, I didn't get the credit I deserved. My new dream was to have the accomplishments of African Americans to rise up out of the shadows. I know one day my dream will become reality.

# data[].attributes.headline
Be sure to write what type of figurative language in CAPITAL LETTERS AND PARENTHESES.  Also, thanks for highlighting these!  

# data[].attributes.subject
Be sure to write what type of figurative language in CAPITAL LETTERS AND PARENTHESES.  Also, thanks for highlighting these!  

# data[].attributes.body
This is a recap of what happened when I first got here in 1879. I need to recap because the other people on this boat only taught me how to read after I got older. So I was 13, and I had just walked a gurgling distance to get to Baltimore, and I later found out it was 40 miles. I convinced the caption of the ship to let me be a cabin boy, the worst job on the ship. This is the best he would offer, which I guess makes sense because of my inexperience, but I think it could be my color that’s holding me down. But I was still able to see all sorts of things around the world, and the people that work here are not as mean as when we started. I think its cause I’m no longer the dusty 13-year-old boy.

Now I am the 19-year-old capable young man thing. Well maybe not the best of the bunch, but I can hold my own with the other sailors. I can do most of the work on the ship, and I bet I could caption one. It helps that I also learned how to become a carpenter, so when I leave I will find a great job. I am going back to Washington D.C, so if I don’t find a job those employers must have good reasons for that. My stuff is ready, and I am super pumped to find out what the world of work has to offer, I love traveling on this boat so if other jobs do this I will definitely get one. The only problem, I always get treated worse because of my skin.

Alright sorry book, I couldn’t write in you while I kept trying to get a job! Those Jim Crow laws, I can’t get any of the good jobs. There are so many good and open jobs that those white businessmen have overlooked me for. I cant travel, use my talents, or try anything else to get a decent life among other people in this country. The segregation has forced me to get a job in a hat store. The only hat I want is a pirate hat, a cowboy hat, or one with a huge feather. I already helped stock goods on a ship, and hang up hats and coats. I could be jumping from tree to tress like Tarzan in that book from 1912, or being a swashbuckling master. I have the skills to do so much more at the age of 19.

Hello old book, the year is now 1950. I was looking back on old things I used back in the days before the North Pole was on my to-do list. Oh, how I was wrong back then the sheer luck of me writing this right before I met Peary. Why I look back on those days fondly now. They were so simple, why I would have easier tasks than everyone on the boat because of my low rating but get the same food and water as them. While I did more work than most cabin boys, I never moved up the ranks so work never got worse. I was also lucky when all those men turned me down if I wasn’t rejected and put in that hat shop. Well, I would never have met Peary, let alone gone as his cabin boy. I don’t regret any part of what happened back then, and I never will.

# data[].attributes.body
1. I persuaded the captain of a ship to let me be the cabin boy.
2. The captain just died, so i'm out of a job.
3. Almost everyone kicked me out, but i got a job stocking shelves.
4. A man by the name of Peary just offered to take me around the world.
5. We tried to go to the North Pole twice, but failed both times.
6. we met some Inuit people who taught us much.
7. I fell into the freezing water, and when it seemed I was in death's grip, I was pulled out.
8. We finally made it to the north pole! It felt like it took years!
9. I didn't get any recognition, but still won some minor awards.
10. I have finally been recognized as the co-discoverer of the North pole.

# data[].attributes.body
April 5th, 1909. Ah, life. Nature. There was none up here. As exciting as it was, there was no green. Only white of the snow and ice. Even the jackets looked white and furry, making us look like a mythical snow  monster.(SIMILE) Whoever decided to come up here was a madman. I guess then, we are all guilty of that. I am just now getting over the fact that I fell into the ice. I was so cold that I could not even thank Ootah for saving my life. I have just now thanked him for his deed. Everyone deserves a thank you. That was something that I rarely got from Robert Peary. Not even when I saved his feet, on an eleven day sled ride to the nearest camp. Now, we are twenty-five miles from the North Pole, by Peary’s reconing. I think that we are ten. Who knows, we might even be here now. It is so cold up here that all the pen ink froze and broke the container. I am only writing with a pencil that I bought with a nickel that I found on the ground.

April 6th, 1909. Excitement. The camp is bustling. Well, all five of us. We set up the Chronometer and the Sextant and discovered that we were really thirty miles from the North Pole. That is a good day's journey, but we can make it.

August 1st, 1909. I have not written in so long that I must record the adventures. This is from the last entry, in short. When we reached the North Pole, I planted the flag. We had our picture taken, and then we headed home. When we reached America, we came home as heros. Well, Peary did. I was mentioned as his “manservant”. However, just being in that moment was enough. I plan to settle down in New York with my wife. When I came home and Peary got all the credit, it looked like she had a white hot fire burning in her eyes. (SIMILE) She settled down after a while, though. Now I am writing from the bedroom and eating a small lunch. So, that is my tale of the Arctic adventures.

# data[].attributes.body
1. The ice cold water was draging me down.
2.  The ice seemed to strech on forever.
3.  The snow was infinitly long as it was harsh.
5. My dream had came true.
6. This was my dream and it was going to end here.
7. I slipped into the water,  it felt like millions of needles pierced my body.
8. I was forgotten in American history books, so when my niece said that I was a famous explorer the teacher punished her for lying
9. My back was nonmovable.
10. The lands just kept on growing longer and longer.
11. As if nothing could get worse it did.

I was working on the section which was full of toys. I saw something which reminded me of my past. It was a toy ship. I was stricken with TONS of memories. My past when I had a job as a cabin boy. Then a man came in, and asked me if there was any winter clothing, though it was autum. Then he said that he was going north to the North Pole. I  froze. The man asked if I was ok. Then i said "Heh heh, that just reminded me that I was a cabin boy before." Then, the man said " My name is Robert Peary, and I would like to ask you, young man, would you like to come with me and a few men to the North Pole?" My mind was twirling and was yelling at myself, yes? or no? Yes? Or no?" I just said "Ok", and he handed me the location and time to meet. I facepalmed after he left with hundreds of dollars worth of clothing. Now I felt as if I was not ready, but I had already promised to  the man. I was thinking about what I just said, and kinda regreted it. On Friday, I went to a deck where there was a giant ship, bigger than all the other ones. I was astonished, thinking I might be able to survive this, I was not about to take chances, so I told Robert Peary that how we had to come back if there was any trouble, no matter how far we already went. He agreed, but when I told him the food supply was to low, he ignored me. "I am going to die on this ship, I dout I will live." I thought. I was listening and heard Robert Peary tell his friend that I was a ordinary "cabin boy". It could have been worse though. I think I am being treated differently as being different to the others. Ok, now I am freezing to death and turns out Robert Peary was not joking about me being a cabin boy. I am returning back because I was right about the food. Now I am quietly, nonemotionly, and nonsensitivily expressing my emotions to all of them. I am going back to the north pole next Friday. Now I am regreting what I said but really want to be the first person at the north pole. It was like trying to walk to the moon barefoot. Shoes are really not to warm in the Arctic. Nothings warm really.

# data[].attributes.body
March 1887

I saw a young white man about my age saunter into my store. He looked like he really needed something so he picked up a winter hat. Once he got to the counter is said “Sir-”, “Robert Peary please,” he interrupted. “That would be $.50 cents.” Then we just started talking about the adventures we want to fulfill and the dreams that we want to pursue. Peary wanted to be the first man to reach the North Pole. Peary then saw my skills and experience as a boater and he hired me. After a couple of months of planning and working, we decided to head for Greenland and start our mission from there. We did this twice but failed to reach the North Pole. I remember one time when we were crossing Greenland we saw thousands of penguins. They are really a sight to see. This time we are taking a different route and plan to succeed on our travel to the North Pole.

June 20th, 1891

In the past few weeks, we have gotten a group of Peary, his wife Josephine, and myself to be the first ones to explore and reach the North Pole. Now we are on a big boat sailing us around Greenland to the Arctic Circle. The captain said that he would pick us up in year’s time. This was my dream and I was so close but not there yet. We knew the igloo`s we were to sleep and eat in were five miles apart. After about two miles we saw a man with a big fur cloak run up to us. He said his name was “Ootah,” and that he and his tribe were called the “Inuit`s”. He was very kind to us so I told him my name and that we were coming to reach the North Pole. Clearly he has seen many people try and fail to do so because he started smiling. We followed him to a beautiful, gigantic igloo were the Inuit people taught us survival skills. Maybe this slowed us down a bit but It was all worth it. Now we had allies, food,  a dogsled, and skills in case of an emergency. Also, four of there men Seegloo, Egingwah, Ooqueh, and Ootah the man I became very close with are joining us on our journey to the North Pole.

June 24, 1891

We have been walking for a couple of days now. My arms were as numb as a rock. My toes were as frozen as a popsicle (SIMILE). Everything was cold but I knew that we just had to keep going If this dream was going to happen. When we stopped at the third igloo earlier tonight there were hard biscuits and tea which was different from the past two igloo`s we have rested at. The fire, as small as a mouse, is dimming so I better stop writing, but I am so curious about what tomorrow brings (SIMILE).

July 30, 1891

It has been over a month since we left that ship. I miss my wife and my other life at home. I sincerely hope everything is going well in America. Today we used the dog sled. The dogs ran as the other passengers and I sat on the sled. We needed a break because of the days of walking behind us. The few things that I have learned after just walking one mile is that the ice caps are hug, the snow stings your skin and the water is frostbite cold.

August 8, 1900

Today was my birthday but to top that off we weren’t at home to celebrate. On my birthday a few years back before the expedition, my wife would always make me a lemon cake as big as a bakery cake, with the sweetest homemade buttercream frosting (SIMILE). But my “special treat” was pemmican and really warm sweet tea. Pemmican is hardened, dried meat that we ate sometimes. We nearly starved for a month. I hope that never happens again but saying that would be dreaming too high.

September 16, 1908

Today we are about 100 miles away from the North Pole. I am so happy we are almost there. One time last month, Peary`s toes became soo frostbitten that eight of them snapped right off. He could have lost his whole foot!

April 3, 1909

Today we were moving faster than ever across the ice. Until I fell into a big ice hole. The ice-cold water was dragging me down and with the heavy coat I had on, I could not move. “My life was ending right here,” I thought. The next thing I knew was a pair of arms tugging on me and loud screaming from above. Ootah, the Inuit man I had become close with had saved me! Once I was out of the water I stayed there for a few minutes, gasping for air. I was so glad I was alive, just thinking of what my family would think if I was dead. I could have been If Ootah saved me less than a minute later. We were 150 miles away and I was so close but not there.

April 20, 1909

I remember planting the American flag in the frozen snow, feeling proud and accomplished. I am proud to be the “first man to reach the North Pole”. This was my dream and I was there! Everyone flopped on the ground because of how tired we were. This adventure took us years. Now we have to walk for two months to the boat destination. This was by far the most challenging experience I’ve ever faced.

June 20, 1909

“I see the boat!” I yelled. We said goodbye to Ootah and the other Inuit men. They had helped us so much and had saved my life. As I boarded the ship I felt the heat for the first time in years. I was so happy to be able to eat something and take a warm shower. We rested for hours on end, nurses took care of our wounds and frostbitten parts. It seemed like I was dreaming. When we returned I had forgotten about segregation. On the adventure to the North Pole, we didn’t care at all. I had not received an equal amount of credit the world gave Peary. I was forgotten in American history books, so when my niece claimed that I was a famous explorer the teacher punished her for lying. “I hope that one day people realize the good that African Americans have done”

-Matthew Henson

# data[].attributes.body
start- April 3, 1909 End- 1954

The snow and ice seemed to stretch on forever.  (HYPERBOLE)

My toes felt like ice blocks. (SIMILE)

This was by far the most challenging experience i've ever faced.

This was my dream and I was so close but not there.

As if nothing could get worse it did.

I slipped and fell into the ice water as my body started to panic.

Out of nowhere Ootah, an Inuit man I became close friends with, rescued me out of the water.

At last, we reached the North Pole happy and relieved.

When we got back Peary got all the recognition and fame while I got minor awards here and there.

I was forgotten in American History books, so when my niece said that I was a famous explorer the teacher punished her for lying!

My years are coming to an end and  I hope that one day, people will come to realize what good African Americans have done.

April 3, 1909

It was a cold day as we were making our way to the North Pole for the seventh time. I remember it so well, it came with it’s ups and downs. The snow and ice seemed to stretch on forever, my toes were freezing, it was the most challenging journey i’d ever faced. Ever since I was little I had wanted to explore the North Pole. There I was so close to achieving my dreams.

During  Journey

It was going fine until I slipped into the water as I felt my muscles tensing up, and my body started to panic. On our way to the North Pole, we had met some Inuit people that I had become close friends with over time. Peary choose to keep his distance and I was kind of mad at him for that. One of the Inuit’s was Ootah and he saved me. All of a sudden, he scooped me up out of the water, I was safe!

At North Pole and After

Finally, we made it to the North Pole before anyone else, so relieved all our efforts paid off. I was so honored to be the one who place the American flag in the snow. When we got back, everyone praised Peary for finding the North Pole and gave him awards while I rarely got awards because I was known as his manservant. This was so unfair I put in just as much effort and passion if not even more. In American history books I was forgotten so much that when my niece said the I was a famous explorer she was punished for lying!

My years are coming to and end and I hope that someday America realizes what good African Americans have done for this world and how bad they have treated us.

# data[].attributes.body
1902

I have been working with Robert Peary for quite a while now, and we have discussed that we are going to try to be the first people to touch the North Pole. We are going to leave in a few weeks. No one has ever reached the North Pole. Some people don’t even believe it exists. A few years ago we had discovered Greenland was an island, and WE FOUND THREE GIANT METEORITES THAT WERE AS BIG AS ELEPHANTS(SIMILE) in the Arctic ice. We went and sold them at the American Museum of Natural History. The money we got from that is going to pay for our trip to the North Pole. This trip is definitely going to be one to remember.

-a couple of years later-

1906

The first attempt to reach the North Pole didn’t succeed. Peary and I have decided to try to go to the North Pole again. I don’t really remember why we couldn’t make it to the North Pole, but I’m sure we can make it this time. We have a new ice cutting ship called “The Roosevelt” that will be able to take us far. Maybe if we are lucky it will take us very very far. It could take us farther than any human has been before. We had started running out of food in the middle of our expedition. So, we had to turn back and go home. The second attempt was better than the first but not good enough. We might try again, but Peary is get old so it might not happen.

-a few years later-

March 1,1909
Peary and I had discussed it and we are going to attempt to reach the North Pole for the last time. This time there were twenty-four men (including us), and 130 dogs. We had ran into TONS OF PROBLEMS (HYPERBOLE) along the way. We were about half way there when we had to plan. We had decided to split into six different groups, and every group had to build an igloo and leave a food and water supply for one day in each igloo. After the fifth group had made the igloo and left supplies, Peary and I had a five day dash from one igloo to another. The plan worked, and we made it to the North Pole! After our long journey on April 6, 1909, after many measurements we were officially the first people to reach the North Pole.

-some time after-

Peary was honored with many awards within a short amount of time after it was confirmed that they had reached the North Pole. I wish they had acknowledged me like they did Peary, but it's fine.

# data[].attributes.body
It was the final journey to the North Pole. This time we had devised a clever plan to make igloos that had food and supplies for us. We had left the final igloo and began our final leg in the journey to the North Pole. This treacherous journey will take at least a day before we get to the right place.

Then all of a sudden the ice gets slippery and I fall in to the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean. I gasp for breath and know that soon I will get hypothermia and die. Then my friend Ootah pulls me out of the water and hands me a blanket, saving my life. I thanked him tons of times (HYPERBOLE), happy that I was alive. After hours we finally get back to traveling the arctic.

As I was looking at my instruments I realized that we had reached the North pole. I shouted to Robert "we reached the North Pole." he ran over and checked my instruments. "We are at the North Pole!!" he exclaimed. I was happier than a child who had gotten a dog for their birthday. (HYPERBOLE)Then Robert let me plant the Flag into the Ice. When we came back to Greenland we were so happy.

When we got back to America everyone adored him but didn't even give me a second glance. I wasn't happy with that because I also had discovered the North Pole. When my niece told her classmates that I was an explorer, her teacher yelled at her and scolded her. Man, I wanted to set some facts straight with her, but I couldn't, because I would just get in trouble with the police. All that because I was black. Now at seventy years old I got awarded by two presidents of the U.S.A. for co-founding the North Pole.

# data[].attributes.body
It was a Friday in February 1891, and a tall mustached man came into a clothing store, the one I was working in. His name was Robert Peary; he was a U.S Navy engineer preparing for a Navy expedition to map a jungle of Central America. I ended up talking to the man and he was very impressed with my experience at sea and offered me a job as a cabins boy! Because I was so sick of my job I quickly accepted the offer. As I later learned, Peary was a man of fierce ambitions.

It is now April and I just got word from Peary that he wants me to come along his next trip. Peary decided that his next trip will be to the North pole as he wants to be the first man to reach it. From the information I’ve gathered so far, he wants me to tag along as his “manservant”. It's now clear to me that Peary would never treat me as an equal. But that doesn’t matter to me, I’m going to prove him wrong.

It's now June, still 1891. Peary, four men, his wife Josephine and I just set sail for Greenland. In about one month we will come ashore and set up camp. We would then be in the “kingdom of ice”. The issue is, we would still be about 700 miles from the North pole. So before we head out in the ferocious blizzards, we are going to visit the Inuit,  the Arctic survivalists. They are the most skilled fisherman and hunters of the arctic.