Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert were unmarried brother and sister. They lived on their ancestral farm, Green Gables, in the quiet town of Avonlea in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Matthew was sixty, and was unable to handle the farm work on his own. Hence the Marilla decided to adopt an orphan boy to help him.
When Matthew arrived at the train station, he was shocked to find a girl-child instead of a boy.
“Hello, are you Mr. Matthew of Green Gables?” uttered the little girl. Matthew still in a shocking and confused state blurted, “Oh…you aren’t a boy!”
“I am so happy to meet you! We were late and I was getting really worried,” said the little girl in excitement, “I’m sorry. I was late as well. Here is my wagon.” They sat in the wagon. “I’ve never had a family of my own. I cannot tell you how delighted I am to live with you!” the girl said.
Matthew was very confused. He wanted to adopt a boy but the orphanage sent the eleven-year-old Anne Shirley by mistake. As she was there and seemed so happy, Matthew didn’t have the heart to send her back. Anne was a talkative and cheerful girl.
When they reached home, Marilla uttered, “What’s going on, Matthew? Where is the boy?”
“There was no boy; this girl was waiting at the station,” replied Matthew.
“How could this be?” Marilla said.
Anne started crying, “Oh…I knew it was too good to be true. You didn’t want me at all… .” “Oh no! stop whining. There is no use crying over spilled milk. We asked the orphanage for a boy, but you will do just fine if you promise to be good,” said Marilla.
Green Gables became Anne’s new home, and she had a family at last. The next morning, Anne accompanied Marilla to Diana’s house.
Anne and Diana got along excellently and soon became friends. Anne was delighted to have a friend to share secrets and adventures with. Anne started going to the same school as Diana.
One weekend, the friends got together at a lake-house to play. “Why don’t we play ‘Princess Ellen’?” said Diana. “I want to be Princess Ellen!” said Anne. The girls began playing. They caught up so much in the play that they forgot reality. “The Princess is dead!” exclaimed Diana, “Now we must kiss Princess Ellen’s pale forehead and then push the boat out to sea.” They kissed her forehead and pushed the boat into the lake. After a while the boat started leaking. Anne was afraid and started shouting for help. Gilbert, Anne’s classmate, came over in his father’s boat and rescued her. Everyone was happy to see Anne safe. When Anne reached home, Marilla told her that the school was organizing special classes for the students who wanted to apply to Queen’s Academy.
Marilla asked him, “Would you like to study there and become a teacher?”
“Oh, Marilla…that’s my dream…but what about the money?” Marilla promised to help Anne and pay for her schooling. Anne began to prepare for her application right away. She took the entrance exam, hoping to be admitted for the winter semester. After a few days, Diana came to meet her and said, “Oh Anne, you are in the first place! It’s a tie between you and Gilbert!”
“How wonderful! Can this be possible? I am so happy!” exclaimed Anne. Anne bid her family goodbye and boarded the train headed for Queen’s Academy.
Anne was excited at the orientation, but she was lonely as well because there was no one she knew except Gilbert. The green roof of the dormitory made her think of Green Gables and she wanted to cry because she missed her family very much.
The next morning, Anne learnt that the student who achieved the first place would win a gold medal and would be eligible for the Avery Scholarship. Anne was excited to know this. She worked hard and won the scholarship.
Time went by and Anne graduated with excellent grades. Marilla and Matthew were very proud of her and were glad to have her back home with them. Anne was finally able to enjoy a few days of peace and quiet. Then, tragedy struck. Matthew, who had heart trouble, died of heart attack. When Anne learnt that Marilla was likely to go blind, she decided to stay at Green Gables and teach near by so that she might take care of Marilla. In the meantime, Gilbert became a teacher. One day, she met Gilbert. “Anne! How splendid to see you! I have wanted to say something to you for a while… .”
“What is it? Tell me,” stated Anne.
“I hope we can become good friends,” said Gilbert in admiration. “I hope so too,” said Anne.
Gilbert gave up his post as the teacher at Avonlea School so that Anne might teach there and be closer to Marilla.
In due course, Anne and Gilbert became close friends and lived happily thereafter.
