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SCENE: Avonlea school, outside
Anne Shirley: Shoo, crow, you’ll give me away!
Oh!
Diana Barry: [off-screen] Psst, Anne, Anne.
Anne: [gasps] Shh!
Diana: Have you seen him?
Anne: No, but he’s around here somewhere.
Diana: We just have to get the big tree and we’re home free. I wonder if he’s waiting behind it.
Anne: Did you see that?
Diana: It’s as if the swings were trying to answer you.
Shh, he was behind the tree. I just saw him.
Anne: Did he go behind the school?
Anne and Diana: [gulp]
Diana: Looks like the swings are shaking their heads no.
Anne: Then is he coming this way?
Anne and Diana: Boo! Got ya! [giggle]
Felix King: [grunts]
Anne and Diana: Home free!
Felix: Aw, how did you know I was coming?
Anne and Diana: [giggle]
Anne: A little swing told us.
Diana: [off-screen] Try asking the swing something, Felix. You’ll see what we mean.
Felix: All right. Ah, I know. Will I be going to school tomorrow?
Diana: They say yes, but tomorrow’s Saturday, so they must be wrong.
Anne: Oh, I guess it doesn’t work.
Felix: [off-screen] It does work!
Aunt Hetty says I have to study math with her Saturday mornings until I catch up.
Anne and Diana: [gulp]
Anne: So they do tell the future.
Diana: Unless that was just luck.
Anne: All right, tell me, oh, swings, is it going to rain soon?
Diana: Hurray!
Anne: They work!
Felix: All right, they work!
SCENE: Lawson’s store, later
Gilbert Blythe: Ah. Oh, oof, nah, aw.
Mr. Lawson: [chuckles]
Anne: [giggles] I’m soaked.
Diana: [giggles] Me too.
Hello, Mr. Lawson!
Mr. Lawson: And hello to you too.
Felix: [sighs] What a downpour.
Diana: What a discovery.
Anne: Imagine swings that can tell the future. [off-screen] I have a thousand questions to ask them, don’t you?
Gilbert: Huh?
Diana: [off-screen] Yes! Like what will I get for my birthday?
Felix: [off-screen] Will I beat Felicity at Rummy tonight?
Anne: Will I grow taller than Marilla? The possibilities are endless!
Gilbert: [off-screen] Possibilities for what?
Anne: [gasps]
Gilbert: [grunts] A bunch of malarkey?
Anne: Gilbert Blythe, didn’t anyone tell you it’s rude to eavesdrop?
Gilbert: Didn’t anyone ever tell you that swings are for swinging on, not for telling the future?
Diana: [scoffs] We’ll prove it to you.
Gilbert: No thanks, I’ve already wasted enough time looking for a decent hat. So if you’ll excuse me, I don’t think I’ll waste any more time talking with the foolish.
Anne and Diana: [scoff]
Anne: You just wait! We’ll see who’s foolish!
SCENE: Green Gables parlor, later
Rachel Lynde: In all my years, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
Anne: Oh, Mrs. Lynde, don’t tell me your cup is dirty. I washed the dishes last night and I’d be dreadfully embarrassed.
Marilla Cuthbert: [off-screen] Don’t worry, Anne. It has nothing to do with you. Rachel fancies she can read tealeaves.
Mrs. Lynde: I have a gift for reading tealeaves and you know it too. A very useful gift.
Marilla: Useful to tea merchants, no doubt. Otherwise, it’s superstitious nonsense.
Mrs. Lynde: Just look in here. Don’t the leaves look like a horse’s head? [off-screen] That means that strength and perseverance will win the race. In other words, Marilla, our project to build a library in Avonlea can not fail.
Marilla: It will If town council won’t give us money. They’ve already spent their budget fixing the town hall.
Mrs. Lynde: The tealeaves don’t lie.
Marilla: They don’t tell the future either.
Anne: I know something that can.
Mrs. Lynde: You do?
SCENE: Schoolyard, the following day
Diana: My parents didn’t believe me either.
Felix: Felicity laughed so hard that I didn’t mention it again.
Anne: Who cares, we have enough questions to ask the swings ourselves.
Diana: Uh oh, look.
Anne: [off-screen] Are you planning on being there long?
Gilbert: I might, and I might not.
Diana: Come on, Gilbert, just a few minutes.
Gilbert: I might get tired, but I’m not sure when. Should I ask the swings?
Anne: [whispers]
Gilbert: [whistles]
Hey, cut it out!
Children: [scream]
Gilbert: [grunts] Oh, what’s the big idea? They’re just a pair of silly, old swings. Ouch.
Felix: You were saying?
Gilbert: Oh, please, swings can’t tell the future.
Anne: Felix, ask the swings a question. Something we can go and find the answer to right away.
Felix: My dog’s been chewing his rope to get free. Has he done that today?
Anne: The swings say yes. Diana, do you have a question?
Diana: Hmm, Felicity was so mad at me yesterday she said she’d never speak to me again. Will she talk to me today?
Anne: [off-screen] The swings say no.
Now, doubting Gilbert. Do you have anything you’d like to ask?
Gilbert: Yes, oh, wise swings, last time I was in the general store Mr. Lawson was out of apples. Does he have any apples in stock today, oh, great and powerful playground toys?
Anne: [off-screen] The swings say yes. Now, Gilbert, let’s see just how well these playground toys did.
SCENE: Kings' house, later
Felix: [off-screen] Caesar, Caesar, come home, boy, come on!
Hey! [grunts] [sighs] He chewed through it all right.
Diana: Well, Gilbert?
Gilbert: That’s only one right. You still have two to go.
SCENE: Outside Lawson’s store, later
Diana: Hello, Felicity, how are you today?
Felicity: [groans]
Diana: I’d say she’s not talking to me.
Gilbert: Two out of three, not bad, but I don’t see any apples out here…
SCENE: Inside Lawson’s store, later
Gilbert: …or in here either.
Felix: Uh oh, he’s right.
Gilbert: But wait, what’s that over there?
Children: [gasp]
Gilbert: Care for a bite, Anne?
Aw, don’t think it’s too tasty.
Anne: Oh, Gilbert Blythe, you!
Gilbert: Two out of three. Now that’s luck. You see, if it had been three out of three, I would have believed you.
Anne: [giggles]
Gilbert: Huh?
Anne: Well, Gilbert?
Diana: Three out of three, Gilbert. What do you say now?
SCENE: Outside the store, later
Diana: Come on, Gilbert!
Gilbert: All three were right.
Diana: [off-screen] I’m surprised you ever doubted.
Gilbert and Marilla: [grunt]
Gilbert: I’m terribly sorry, Miss–
Marilla: Don’t let those papers get away.
Anne: Get that one.
Gilbert: Come on, oh no.
Mrs. Lynde: My goodness, the petition!
Marilla: Shake a leg, children. Let’s get this before the wind blows it to Carmody.
Felix: Caesar, no!
[grunts] Oh!
[off-screen] What are all those signatures for?
Marilla: [off-screen] It’s a petition.
Felix: A pet what?
Marilla: A petition, that’s when people sign their names to say they support something.
Anne: Like spending money on a new library.
Mrs. Lynde: I don’t see why we bothered, Marilla. The tealeaves already said we’d get it.
Marilla: [gasps] It’s what the town aldermen say that concerns me. I can just hear them. “We only have so much money we can spend. Everything has its limits.” This petition will make a difference, not your tealeaves.
Mrs. Lynde: Of course, Marilla. I never meant to disparage your hard work.
Gilbert: Tealeaves, schme-leaves, let’s get to that swing.
SCENE: Schoolyard, later
Gilbert: Dear swings, when I graduate from Avonlea, will I be accepted into the Queen’s Academy?
Yes, I knew it!
Felix: My turn, my turn.
Swings, will I be taller than Felicity next year? [The swings say no.] Year after that? [The swings say no.] [off-screen] Um, but, but.
Diana: You’ve got your answer, Felix.
Oh, swings, will I meet the man of my dreams? [The swings say yes.] Oh, will he be a prince? [The swings say no.] Oh well, can’t have everything. Anne.
Anne: Will Marilla’s plan for the library succeed? [The swings say no.]
Gilbert: What?
Diana: Oh no.
Felix: But why not?
Anne: Is there something wrong with the petition? [The swings say no.] No, then is there something wrong with Marilla? Is she in danger? [The swings say yes.]
Children: [gasp]
Diana: What kind of danger is she in? Will Marilla fall? [The swings say no.]
Gilbert: Will she become sick? [The swings say no.]
Diana: Well, what else could happen to her?
Children: [scream]
Felix: Will she be struck by lightning?
Diana: Felix.
Gilbert: Wait, look. [The swings say yes.]
That’s it, she’ll be struck by lightning!
Anne: [gasps] Is there anything we can do to stop this dreadful thing from happening? [The swings say yes.]
Diana: Yes, is it something we can do today? [The swings stop.]
Anne: Swings, swings!
Gilbert: As Marilla said, everything has its limits. We’ve worn the swings out.
Anne: No, please, swings, Marilla is like a mother to me! She rescued me from a horrible fate. I must know if I can save her from hers. What am I going to do?
SCENE: Avonlea woods, later
Diana: Anne, look!
Anne: [gasps]
Gilbert: [off-screen] It’s a storm all right.
Felix: [off-screen] And it’s coming this way!
Diana: Anne, you have to warn Marilla about the danger she’s in.
Anne: [sighs] Uh huh.
SCENE: Green Gables kitchen, later
Marilla: [off-screen] Kindly let me pass.
Anne: If you want to check on the chickens, I’ll do it for you.
Marilla: That’s kind of you, but I want to make sure they’re safe.
Anne: [screams]
Marilla: [gasps]
Anne: It would be no trouble.
Marilla: Land sakes, it is on the stormy side.
Anne: My point exactly. You wouldn’t want to get… oh, I don’t know, struck by lightning or something.
Marilla: I am as likely of being struck by lightening as I am by a marauding rhinoceros.
Anne: Please, Marilla.
Marilla: Nevertheless, I imagine the chickens will survive without me.
Anne: Oh, thank you, Marilla.
Marilla: I’ll do my quilting instead.
Anne: And I’ve got to see Diana about a more permanent solution.
SCENE: Diana’s house, later
Diana: Now, in this storm? Oh, Anne, you’ve got to be joking!
SCENE: Outside Peg Bowen’s house, later
Diana: I don’t think coming here was such a good idea.
Anne: We need to keep Marilla safe from her horrible fate, and no one knows more about fate than–
Anne and Diana: [gasp] [off-screen] Peg Bowen!
Peg Bowen: Hmm, if it isn’t the chatty little redhead and her friend. Come, come.
Anne: [gasps]
Diana: [gasps]
SCENE: Inside Peg’s house, later
Anne: A-and so you see, we need to know what we can do to keep Marilla safe.
Diana: And bring the library to Avonlea.
Peg: Well, I best keep you busy, so you’re not bothering Marilla’s work on the library.
Here, hold this. Ah, ooh, um. Tsk tsk. [chuckles]
Anne: Ooh.
Diana: [gasps, screams] Oh, oh.
Peg: [off-screen] Aha, these will do the trick! Here’s a list of things that will bring good luck, and a list of things that are bad luck, so you can avoid them.
[off-screen laughs]
Anne and Diana: [gasp]
SCENE: Avonlea schoolyard, the following day
Anne: [off-screen] Horseshoes, four-leaf clovers, rabbit’s feet, lucky pennies.
Gilbert: Small animals like dogs, cats, squirrels? These bring good luck?
Diana: That’s what Peg Bowen said.
Felix: You sure were brave to go to Peg Bowen’s, Diana.
Diana: Oh well, you know, all in the line of duty.
Gilbert: What about this here? Don’t step on cracks. Don’t let a black cat cross your path.
Felix: Don’t break mirrors. If you spill salt, throw some over your shoulder.
Diana: Those things bring bad luck. We have to avoid all of them.
Anne: So let’s spread out and gather all the good charms we can find. We’ll rendezvous back at the town hall in time for the meeting.
Felix: With all this good luck, nothing bad could possibly happen.
SCENE: Avonlea blacksmith, later
Gilbert: If you could spare a few just for the day. [whistles] Gosh, thanks. [grunts] Whoa! [grunts]
SCENE: Pasture, later
Anne: Oh, four-leaf clovers sure are hard to find.
Diana: Oh, Anne, look over there!
Anne: Huh? I see it!
Stop! [grunts]
Diana: [screams]
Anne: You almost stepped on that crack.
Diana: Oh, Anne, look!
Anne and Diana: [moan]
Anne: Eh, let’s just grab as much as we can. There’s bound to be another four-leaf clover in here somewhere.
SCENE: Kings’ house, later
Felix: [off-screen] Ah, if small animals are supposed to be lucky, then how come Caesar’s always causing so much trouble?
There you are! Come here, boy! I need you!
No, Caesar, no, boy, come here! I don’t wanna play chase right now! [sighs]
SCENE: Outside Avonlea town hall, later
Anne: Keep your eyes open.
Diana: Look out!
Anne and Diana: [scream]
Mr. Lawson: Whoa, whoa!
Diana: That black cat almost crossed our path.
Anne: Good eye, Diana.
[off-screen] Hey, look what Amy’s carrying! Quick, stop her!
Felix: [off-screen] Caesar, come back here!
Mr. Lawson: Whoa!
Felix: Caesar, come here, come on!
Gilbert: These are so heavy. [Gilbert grunts. His sack full of horseshoes falls onto Mr. Lawson’s eggs and breaks them. Gilbert gasps.]
Mr. Lawson: Ooh!
Gilbert: [off-screen] Oops. [chuckles]
SCENE: Avonlea town hall, 5 o’clock
Gilbert: Where’d you get that?
Diana: Amy’s new pet. We borrowed it.
Anne: Peg’s list said a rabbit’s foot is lucky. Four must be even luckier.
Gilbert: Especially if you’re the rabbit. [gasps]
Anne: Let’s go in. The meeting’s starting. [off-screen] Marilla’s going to need all the luck we can bring her.
Gilbert: [grunts]
SCENE: Inside the hall, later
Mrs. Lynde: [from distance] Now, it’s all right, Marilla. Just keep calm. You’ll be all right.
Marilla: [from distance] Hello, hello, Peg.
Anne: Psst, Diana, the crack.
All right, we still have time to spread our good luck charms around.
Gilbert: Whoops, oh no. Okay, okay, okay, ah.
Diana: [off-screen] Oh, Anne, look. Bad bunny.
Anne: No, bunny, come here. Good bunny, come.
Town Representative: Town council meeting called to order!
Woman: [screams]
Anne: Whoa!
Felix: Anne, look, I got him! Small animals are good luck, remember? [gasps]
Anne: Whoa! [gasps] Stop them! They’ll ruin the meeting.
Town Representative: Huh?
Marilla: Oh, oh, oh, well, oh my! Not again!
Town Representative: Order, order!
Anne: Oh no!
Woman: [off-screen] Get that dog out!
Mrs. Lynde: Oh, this is outrageous. I’ve never heard anything like it. Can’t you keep your dog under control? Felix!
Blacksmith: Huh, whoa!
Anne: [screams]
Oh!
Marilla: Anne, did you have anything to do with this?
Anne: I was trying to bring good luck.
Marilla: You and your superstitious nonsense have spoiled everything!
Anne: [cries]
Marilla: [sighs]
Mrs. Lynde: Ew, salty!
SCENE: Avonlea woods, later
Anne: I am the most wretched creature to walk the earth. [sobs] I meant to help Marilla but I’ve ruined everything.
SCENE: Anne’s imagination, later
Light Willow: I’ve seen some pretty wretched creatures over the years, and you’re not one of them. I’ve had to look at him every day.
Anne: But all the trouble I caused.
Light Willow: [chuckles] You aren’t the first to let superstition lead you astray.
Dark Willow: [off-screen] He used to believe he could make it rain by throwing spiders from his branches so they’d plummet to an untimely demise below.
Light Willow: Oh yea, he would shed all his leaves trying to cover the cracks in the ground. [chuckles]
Dark Willow: Oh, the suffering, the hardship, ooh, the chilly nights. All for nothing.
Anne: Why nothing?
Dark Willow: My roots caused the cracks in the first place.
Light Willow: His sap would run dry with worry, thinking of all the bad luck he caused.
Anne: I can understand that.
Dark Willow: Except when I paid attention, I saw that those who stepped on the cracks didn’t fair any worse than anyone else.
Light Willow: And my long-term meteorological study showed that it never rained more after one of my… spider escapades.
Anne: So they didn’t make any difference?
Willows: No!
Light Willow: Ah, aha, I want you to know no spiders were sacrificed for this shower.
Dark Willow: All superstition does, Anne, is stop yourself from solving problems yourself.
Anne: And I’ve sure got problems to solve right now.
SCENE: Avonlea town hall, present day, later
Anne: Don’t be afraid. It was only superstition.
Marilla: We’re getting the library, Anne.
Anne: [screams, giggles]
Marilla: Uh? My hard work on the petition convinced the town council.
Anne: Oh, Marilla, I am so relieved to hear it.
Marilla: Oh, oh, Anne.
SCENE: Green Gables porch, another day
Mrs. Lynde: A tree means that if you remember past wisdom, your roots, you’ll blossom into something wonderful.
Felix, your tealeaves are distinctly had shaped.
Felix: What does that mean?
Mrs. Lynde: That with a firm grip, you’ll get your responsibilities, your dog, for example, under control.
Felix: [groans]
Marilla: Land sakes, Rachel, haven’t we all learned our lesson?
Diana: It’s just for fun.
Gilbert: We’re not taking it seriously.
Anne: Besides, we were reading the tealeaves from a source you’ll approve of.
Marilla: And what source might that be?
Anne: The new Avonlea Public Library.
Marilla: [chuckles]
Everyone: [laughs]
A WORD FROM THE KIDS
Haleigh Sheehan: Who can tell us what happens in this story, and why did Anne and Diana believe the swings had special powers?
Boy in Patterned Shirt: Anne and her friends think that the swings near an old schoolhouse can tell the future. And they thought the swings had special powers, because they asked if someone was coming to each other, and the wind blew and the swings twirled around in a circle. And so they thought that the swings were saying yes. And someone was coming. So automatically they thought that the swings could tell the future.
Haleigh: In the story, Anne and Diana put a lot of belief into lucky charms to try and save Marilla. Did it make a difference and why or why not?
Boy in Green Shirt: If they find good luck charms, then Marilla… they could make a wish to save Marilla. But really, Marilla was about to go out anyway, so she wasn’t about to get struck by lightning.
Haleigh: What does it mean to be superstitious?
Girl in Grey Shirt: To be superstitious means like you believe in stuff sometimes that’s not true, and sometimes it leads you to like different things.
Boy in Green Shirt: If you’re too superstitious, you might harm your own self and think it’s the superstition that’s doing it to you.
Haleigh: What is good luck and what are some good luck charms?
Boy in Green Shirt: Good luck is when like a baseball team, your team needs you, and you’re the batter up, and you hit a home run and you won.
Girl in Purple T-Shirt: Good luck charms are four-leaf clovers.
Boy in Patterned Shirt: Horseshoes.
Girl in Purple T-Shirt: A rabbit’s foot.
Haleigh: Can anyone describe some superstitions they’ve heard of? Sure.
Girl in White: If you put a rabbit’s foot in your left pocket, you’ll get good luck.
Girl in Blue Shirt: If you hang a horseshoe above your door, I think you get good luck.
Girl in Purple T-Shirt: If you kill a spider, it will rain.