Anne Of Green Gables - Book 5

Welcome to this six series bedtime story, for imaginative children and sentimental adults.

Anne Dares -- In tonight's story, a meadow of sunflowers surround Green Gables in Avonlea, on the charming Prince Edward Island. Anne gets into a bit of trouble with Josie Pye and a ridge pole, but as the season changes, Anne receives a Christmas surprise from Matthew!

Snuggle under the covers, and let the adventure begin...

Inspired by L.M. Montgomery's classic tale, Anne of Green Gables, adapted by Kallie George.
Background music by DayNigthMorning.

Transcript

Welcome to the cherished story of Anne of Green Gables.

This is a six-series bedtime story about Anne Shirley,

A wildly imaginative,

Joyful,

Brave orphan girl who longed for a dress with puffed sleeves.

Anne Dares,

Inspired by Lucy Maude Montgomery,

Adapted by Callie George.

As you nestle under the covers,

Take a deep breath in and a smooth breath out.

Say goodnight to your thoughts and let your imagination wander to a meadow of sunflowers.

The seasons change and time passes at Green Gables,

A homely farmstead in Avonlea on the quaint Prince Edward Island.

It was over a year now since Anne had first come to Green Gables,

And oh,

How she loved it there.

Today was especially wonderful.

Diana Barry,

Anne's best friend and kindred spirit,

Was having a party at her home,

Orchard Slope.

Anne loved parties,

Even if she didn't have a party dress with puffed sleeves like the other girls had.

Marilla,

Who,

Along with her brother Matthew,

Had adopted Anne,

Believed in plain and sensible clothing.

Just in time for the party,

Anne remembered she had an imagination.

She could imagine she had puffed sleeves.

But when Anne got there,

She noticed Josie Pye sniff at her dress.

Anne frowned.

Josie could be a little mean.

Still,

The party was going tremendously,

Until the dares started.

Making dares was very popular at the moment.

Anne knew it.

All the girls knew it.

But Anne also knew that daring could get her into trouble.

Anne didn't want to get into trouble,

So she bit her tongue.

Lately,

She hadn't gotten into much.

She had walked into the stream while daydreaming.

Anne poured milk into the yarn bucket.

But Anne figured those troubles were so small,

They weren't worth counting.

Anne watched as Carrie Sloan dared Ruby Gillis to climb the oak tree.

She watched as Josie Pye dared Jane Andrews to hop around the garden.

But when Josie Pye made Jane feel bad for falling,

Anne couldn't help it.

Anne opened her mouth.

Josie,

I dare you to walk that fence,

Said Anne.

It was a low fence in Diana's backyard.

Ha,

Said Josie with a smirk.

Easy.

Anne did not think it was easy,

But Josie hopped up.

She made it look very easy indeed.

Now Anne felt bad,

But she didn't want Josie to know it.

Anne tossed her red braids.

Well,

I guess walking a fence isn't that hard.

I knew a girl who could walk the ridge pole of a house.

Really,

Asked Josie.

I don't think anyone can do that,

Especially not you.

I can too,

Said Anne.

Then I dare you,

Said Josie.

Anne went stiff.

The ridge pole was the beam across the peak of the roof.

It was so high up,

And it was very dangerous.

But Anne did not dare tell the truth,

That she didn't think she could do it,

That she was scared.

She had told Josie she could do it.

Now she had to prove it.

Anne turned to Diana.

I must do it,

Diana.

I must.

My honor is at stake.

I shall walk that ridge pole or perish trying.

But Anne,

Begged Diana.

And if I do perish,

Added Anne,

You can have my pearl bead ring.

Anne climbed the ladder to the roof.

Everyone was silent.

She stepped onto the ridge pole.

Everyone held their breath.

Immediately,

Anne felt dizzy.

She wobbled.

She did not dare look down.

She wished she was back on the ground,

But it was too late.

Anne's imagination had helped her out of many awful situations.

She was too scared to even imagine.

She only took a few steps before,

No,

Anne swayed,

Slipped,

And fell.

If Anne had tumbled off the roof on the side where the girls were watching,

She may well have perished,

But Anne did not.

She fell on the other side where the roof led to some bushes and then the ground.

The fall was not too bad.

Still,

It hurt very much.

All the girls ran around to her at once.

Mrs.

Berry was close by and came running too.

Anne,

Are you killed?

Shrieked Diana.

Oh,

Anne,

Just speak one word.

Anne spoke more than one.

No,

Diana,

I am not killed,

But I am knocked unconscious.

Anne was not unconscious.

She was wide awake,

But she had hurt her ankle.

Mr.

Berry carried Anne to Green Gables.

When Marilla,

Who was out picking apples,

Saw Anne,

She felt her heart leap into her throat.

Marilla ran toward her.

Mercy me,

She cried.

Marilla could be a little strict with Anne,

But for once she was not.

Back at Green Gables,

She did everything she could to make Anne comfortable.

That night,

After the doctor had come and gone,

Anne asked,

What would you have done,

Marilla,

If you had been dared to walk a ridge pole?

I'd have stayed on good firm ground where I belong,

Said Marilla.

Anne sighed.

If only she had not let Josie Pye bother her so.

She felt rumbled,

In body and in spirit.

I wish I hadn't taken that dare,

Moaned Anne.

The fact that this is all my own fault is what makes it so hard.

I won't be able to go to school for weeks until my ankle is better.

I'll miss so much.

But I will try to bear it bravely if you won't be cross with me.

I'm not cross,

Said Marilla.

And I'm glad to know that the fall didn't hurt your tongue at least.

The fall had not hurt Anne's imagination either,

Which was a good thing.

Having an imagination helps when you must stay at home.

So does having a kindred spirit.

Diana visited Anne every day to bring Anne her schoolwork and to keep her company.

Josie Pye visited once too to say sorry.

Anne received her as politely as she could.

But to Anne,

It felt like Josie was only saying sorry because she had to.

At last,

Anne returned to school,

But she had missed something.

Miss Stacy,

Their teacher,

Was organizing a concert,

A Christmas concert.

Anne loved concerts.

They were extra special parties.

She even had a part to learn,

And that made her nervous.

What if she ruined such a lovely event?

I just tremble when I think of it,

She told Matthew and Marilla later.

Please don't be alarmed if you hear me groaning.

I am supposed to groan in the part I have.

I must practice a lot.

That night in the orchard,

Anne practiced.

But mostly,

She worried.

Did she dare step onto the stage?

It was a different kind of dare than walking the ridgepole,

And surprisingly,

It seemed harder.

Matthew was splitting wood,

But he stopped to talk to Anne.

She seemed upset.

Matthew never said much.

He was very shy.

But he loved Anne dearly.

He wished he could help.

I expect you'll do your part fine,

He said.

Anne smiled weakly.

She wasn't so sure.

As the weeks passed,

Anne practiced and practiced.

She was so focused on the concert,

She didn't notice anything else.

But even so,

She was still nervous.

One day,

Something strange happened that Anne couldn't help but notice.

Matthew came home with a rake.

He hid it in the tool house.

Why does Matthew need a rake in the winter,

Wondered Anne.

Matthew left.

When he came back again,

He was carrying a large bag of sugar.

He brought it into the house.

Anne followed him.

Whatever possessed you to buy so much,

Asked Marilla.

I thought it might come in handy,

Said Matthew.

Marilla rolled her eyes.

Anne was certain Matthew was hiding something.

What could it be?

Anne found out what Matthew had been hiding on Christmas morning,

The day of the big concert.

And what a morning it was.

Snow had fallen in Avonlea.

The firs were feathery white,

And the fields were full of snowy dimples.

Anne ran downstairs singing.

Merry Christmas,

Matthew.

Merry Christmas,

Marilla.

Oh,

I am so glad it is snowy out.

When Anne entered the kitchen,

She froze.

Matthew was holding a dress.

He handed it to her.

It was silk and frilly,

And the sleeves,

Oh,

The sleeves,

They were positively puffy.

Anne was speechless.

Why,

Anne,

Don't you like it,

Said Matthew at last.

Like it?

Oh,

Matthew.

Anne laid the dress down and clasped her hands.

Matthew,

It's perfectly exquisite.

How did you manage?

Marilla looked like she wanted to know,

Too.

Matthew blushed.

I didn't at first.

Oh,

Said Anne,

Her eyes.

Her eyes widening.

So that was why he had come home with a garden rake and a big bag of sugar.

Matthew had never dared to ask anyone for something so unusual as a dress before.

Still,

He had done it.

How brave of him.

It's like a happy dream,

Gushed Anne.

It's breakfast time,

That's what,

Said Marilla,

But she was smiling,

Too.

The rest of the day did feel like a dream until it was time for the concert.

Then everything felt very real.

The hall was decorated.

Everyone was there,

Including Josie Pye and Gilbert Blythe,

The schoolmate who had once teased her.

Gilbert looked calm.

Anne had butterflies in her stomach.

Josie looked nervous,

Too.

Good luck,

Said Anne.

Good luck to you,

Too,

Said Josie.

And I really am sorry.

Anne knew that this time Josie truly meant it.

When Anne's name was called,

She felt like a million eyes were on her.

She thought she might faint.

But suddenly,

Anne thought of her dress.

It made her feel brave,

Like Matthew had been.

She knew she must live up to those puffed sleeves.

Anne walked out into the spotlight.

When Anne finished her recital,

The whole concert hall cheered and clapped.

What a brilliant evening,

Said Anne,

When she and Diana were walking home.

You did such a splendid job.

Did I groan all right?

Yes,

You groaned just perfectly,

Diana assured her.

Anne beamed.

She had taken part in a real concert.

You know,

Anne said,

I think I will never walk a ridgepole again,

But I will recite.

I want to be daring,

But in all the best ways.

Anne smiled.

After a moment,

She added with a sigh,

I dare any day to be more wonderful than this one.

Then Anne slipped her hand in Diana's,

And they walked the rest of the way home in the starry snow.

Reviews

I like it so much I don’t want it to end. So grateful you are telling this beautiful story.💜🕊️💜✨✨✨✨✨