Anne of Green Gables: A Retelling for Curious Readers

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The opening of Anne of Green Gables: A Retelling for Curious Readers, free to read.

1. 

   A Girl Instead of a Boy

   In Avonlea, on Prince Edward Island, Mrs. Rachel Lynde saw everything from her kitchen window. One June afternoon she saw shy Matthew Cuthbert drive past in his best suit. She hurried up to Green Gables to find out why. “We’re getting a boy from an orphanage, a home for children with no parents,” said his sister Marilla. “He’ll help Matthew on the farm.” Mrs. Lynde was sure it would end badly.

2. 

   The girl had waited at Bright River station for hours, swinging her thin legs from a stack of wooden roof shingles. Under her faded hat hung two long red braids. When a shy old farmer shuffled toward her, she jumped up with her carpetbag. “I suppose you are Mr. Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables?” she said. “If you hadn’t come, I meant to climb that big cherry tree and sleep in the moonlight.”

3. 

   Matthew could not bear to tell her about the mistake. He took her carpetbag, and off they drove. The girl talked the whole way. Under a long arch of apple blossoms she went silent with joy. “I shall call it the White Way of Delight,” she said at last. “Am I talking too much?” “Oh, you can talk as much as you like,” said Matthew. “I don’t mind.” And he didn’t.

4. 

   They crossed a bridge over a shining pond. “That’s Barry’s Pond,” said Matthew. “Oh, I don’t like that name,” said the girl. “I shall call it the Lake of Shining Waters.” Over the next hill, a farmhouse with green gables stood among blossoming trees. The girl clasped her hands. “That’s it, isn’t it? That’s home!” Matthew wriggled unhappily. How could he tell her now?