Welcome to the cherished story of Anne of Green Gables.
This is a six-series bedtime story about Anne Shirley,
A wildly imaginative,
Clever,
Intelligent orphan girl with hair so red it's the only thing she can't imagine away.
Anne Arrives,
Inspired by Lucy Maud Montgomery,
Adapted by Callie George.
As you snuggle under the blankets,
Take a deep breath in and a smooth breath out.
Say goodnight to your thoughts and let your imagination wander to lush green fields.
It's springtime at Green Gables,
A simple homestead in Avonlea on the charming Prince Edward Island.
One sunny afternoon in June,
Mrs.
Rachel Linde looked out her window.
To her surprise,
She saw Matthew Cuthbert.
He was passing by in his horse and buggy.
Matthew and his sister Marilla lived at Green Gables,
Next door to Mrs.
Linde.
Where is Matthew going at this time of day,
Mrs.
Linde wondered,
And why is he wearing his best suit?
Mrs.
Linde knew all the comings and goings in Avonlea,
But she didn't know about this one.
I must visit Marilla and find out,
She decided.
At Green Gables,
Marilla was busy knitting.
We have decided to adopt an orphan boy,
She explained to Mrs.
Linde.
We need help on the farm.
Now,
Mrs.
Linde was truly surprised,
An orphan,
But Marilla.
The orphan is coming on today's train,
Added Marilla.
Mrs.
Linde did not approve.
Mark my words,
This is a mistake,
She said.
When Matthew arrived at the train station,
He didn't see a boy,
But he did see a girl.
Under her old sailor hat were two red braids.
She had a pointed,
Freckled face and large eyes.
She was holding a worn carpet bag.
Matthew was very shy.
He didn't know what to do.
The girl was not shy.
Are you Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables?
She stuck out her hand.
Matthew shook it.
I'm very glad to see you,
Said the girl.
Her voice was sweet and clear.
If you didn't come,
I was going to sleep in that cherry tree.
It would be lovely to sleep in a tree.
Can you imagine it?
But I would rather go to Green Gables.
What could Matthew say to that?
Come along,
He told her.
A full drive back,
The orphan girl kept talking.
There is so little scope for the imagination in an orphanage.
But here,
Oh,
She gasped at everything she saw.
And she made up names for all the places they passed.
She named the avenue the White Way of Delight.
She named the pond the Lake of Shining Waters.
The only name she didn't mention was her own.
Matthew was too shy to ask.
I feel nearly perfectly happy,
Said the girl.
But I can't be perfectly happy because,
Well,
She held up a braid.
What color is this?
Red,
Replied Matthew.
Yes,
I can imagine anything,
Except I cannot imagine away my red hair.
It is one of my lifelong sorrows.
She gave a great sigh.
Then she added,
Am I talking too much?
I can stop if I try hard.
I don't mind,
He said.
Already,
Matthew liked this strange little girl.
But she was a girl,
Not a boy.
Marilla would not be happy.
Matthew was right.
Where is the boy,
Exclaimed Marilla.
She stared at the girl.
This is a pretty piece of business.
You don't want me?
The girl burst into tears.
Oh,
This is the most tragical thing that ever happened to me.
Marilla sighed.
Dry your eyes,
Child.
We won't turn you out tonight.
What's your name?
Ann Shirley.
Ann spelled with an E.
What difference does spelling make?
Oh,
Such a difference,
Said Ann.
Ann with an E looks so much nicer.
Marilla sighed again.
Very well then,
Ann,
With an E.
It is time for supper.
But Ann couldn't eat.
She would have to return to the orphanage.
As soon as she had seen Green Gables,
She felt it was home.
Now it wouldn't be.
She was in the depths of despair.
That night,
She cried herself to sleep.
Not even the beautiful cherry tree outside her window made her feel better.
In the morning,
Cheery sunshine poured through the window.
The cherry tree tapped its branches on the glass like it was saying,
Good morning.
The lake of shining waters sparkled in the distance.
Ann felt better.
It's such a lovely morning,
She said at breakfast.
But I like rainy mornings,
Too.
Aren't all mornings interesting?
You never know what might happen.
Matthew smiled.
Marilla muttered,
For pity's sake,
I will tell you what is happening.
I am taking you to Mrs.
Spencer.
Mrs.
Spencer will return you to the orphanage.
Mrs.
Spencer had brought Ann on the train.
She worked at the orphanage.
For once,
Ann had nothing to say.
After breakfast,
Marilla and Ann went to Mrs.
Spencer's house.
On the way,
Ann tried to keep her spirits up.
But it was hard,
Especially when they arrived.
Oh,
I am sorry,
Said Mrs.
Spencer,
When Marilla told them about the mistake.
But what good luck.
Ann doesn't have to go to the orphanage.
Mrs.
Blewett is here looking for a girl to take care of her children.
Hmph,
Said Mrs.
Blewett,
Eyeing Ann.
There's not much to you,
But you're wiry.
I'll expect you to earn your keep.
Mean Mrs.
Blewett wanted Ann to come work for her.
Marilla paused.
Well,
I don't know,
She said slowly.
As stern as Marilla could be,
She was also kind.
Maybe we'll keep her,
Marilla told Mrs.
Spencer.
Did you really say that,
Whispered Ann as she and Marilla walked home,
Or did I imagine it?
If you want to stay here,
You must behave yourself,
Ann,
Said Marilla,
And try to control your imagination.
I will try so hard to be good,
Said Ann.
It will be uphill work,
But I will do my best.
Ann did all her chores,
Just like Marilla wanted.
In her free time,
She played and made up new names.
Ann named the cherry tree outside her window,
The Snow Queen,
And the flower on her windowsill,
Bonnie.
I don't believe in calling things names that don't belong to them,
Said Marilla.
But don't you ever imagine things differently from what they really are,
Asked Ann.
No,
Said Marilla.
Oh,
Marilla,
How much you miss,
Said Ann.
Still,
Everything was going well until Ann's manners were put to the test.
Mrs.
Lind came over to meet Ann.
She clucked her tongue.
What a mistake,
Didn't I tell you?
She's terribly skinny,
Marilla.
Just look at those freckles.
And that hair,
Red as carrots.
Ann's face turned as red as her hair.
Oh,
How dare you?
You are a rude,
Unfeeling woman.
Mrs.
Lind's eyes went wide.
Ann stomped her foot,
Stamp,
Stamp.
Mrs.
Lind's eyes went wider.
Ann surely,
Exclaimed Marilla,
Go to your room at once.
Ann lay on her bed and sobbed.
Marilla came up.
You must apologize,
She said.
I will never apologize,
Cried Ann.
You will stay in your room until you do,
Said Marilla sternly.
You said you would behave,
But you haven't.
All that evening,
Ann stayed in her room.
All the next day,
Too.
That night,
Matthew tiptoed upstairs.
It was awfully quiet without you at supper,
He said.
Maybe you could apologize for me.
I've always wanted you to stay here.
Ann sniffed.
You really want me?
No one has ever wanted me before.
Matthew nodded.
Ann took a deep breath.
For you,
Matthew,
I will.
Just don't tell Marilla I said anything,
Added Matthew.
Wild horses won't drag the secret from me,
Said Ann.
The next day,
Ann went to Mrs.
Lind's house with Marilla.
Ann was busy imagining.
She was imagining the best apology ever.
When they arrived,
Ann threw herself down on her knees.
Oh dear,
Mrs.
Lind,
I could never express how sorry I am.
Not even if I used a whole dictionary.
Mrs.
Lind,
Please,
Please,
Please forgive me.
If you refuse,
It will be another one of my lifelong sorrows.
Ann clasped her hands.
There,
There,
Child,
Get up,
Said Mrs.
Lind heartily.
Of course I forgive you.
I am sorry,
Too.
I always speak my mind.
So do I,
Thought Ann.
Ann added Mrs.
Lind,
Your hair is bound to turn into a handsome auburn as you grow.
Oh,
Mrs.
Lind,
Said Ann,
You have given me hope.
Mrs.
Lind smiled.
Then she said,
On the whole,
Marilla,
I like her.
So did Marilla.
She smiled,
Too.
Good,
Because she is staying with us at Green Gables.
Come on,
Ann,
Time to go home.
Ann's eyes sparkled.
Marilla and Ann walked back to Green Gables.
Ann slipped her hand into Marilla's.
Oh,
How wonderful it is to be going home and know it's home.
Green Gables is the dearest,
Loveliest spot in the world.
I love it already.
She had been Ann of nowhere in particular for as long as she could remember.
It was a million times nicer to be Ann of Green Gables.
