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SCENE: Avonlea school, a day
Gilbert Blythe: A Mexican child gallops across the Sierra Madre. [grunts]
Perry: Wow!
Gilbert: Dodging cattle and tumbleweeds!
Felix King: Whoa, who are you calling a tumbleweed?
Gilbert: He closes in on the wild horse, swirls up his lasso extra high, and wrangles the stallion.
Felix: No! Ou.
Gilbert: [off-screen] Oh rat, he got away again.
Anne Shirley: Oh, Diana, I crave excitement. Who wants to stand around like cattle the whole weekend?
Diana Barry: [sighs] There is nothing to do.
Felix: You’ll get the next horse.
Gilbert: It’s pretty hard with this old frail rope for a lasso. Maybe I’ll get a proper rope for my birthday!
Anne: Birthday? Did somebody say birthday?
Diana: Gilbert did.
Anne: [gasps] [off-screen] Oh, uh… Felix?
Felix: Yes?
Anne: Did Gilbert say his birthday’s coming up?
Felix: Yup, it’s Saturday.
Anne: Is there a party I haven’t heard about?
Felix: No, Gilbert’s too proud to hold a party himself, but it’s his tough luck because nobody else is doing it for him.
Anne: Diana, I have the perfect idea for a weekend adventure.
Diana: What’s that?
Anne: We’ll throw a birthday party for Gilbert!
Diana: Why, Anne, how ingenious!
Anne: We’ll make it a spectacular event!
Diana: Hey, Gilbert, guess wh–
Anne: Oh wait, shh!
Gilbert: What?
Anne: [whispers] Don’t tell him, I have a better idea.
Diana: Oh, nothing.
Just that we are… that’s a good loop there, cowboy!
Gilbert: [chuckles] Thanks. [gasps] Whoa.
Diana: [whispers] What’s your plan?
Anne: Something to give us an additional thrill and Gilbert too! We’ll make the party a surprise!
Diana: [gasps] Surprise?
Gilbert: [grunts] Oh, no, don’t don’t, no… Oh.
SCENE: Green Gables, later
Anne: [off-screen] Please, Marilla, just a few people.
Diana: We’ll do all the work.
Anne: It won’t be inconvenience to you at all!
Marilla Cuthbert: I’m not thrilled about a dozen children parading through my parlor.
Anne: It would mean so much to Gilbert.
Marilla: Why insist on making it a surprise? The whole town fibbing up a blue streak just to give poor Gilbert a dreadful shock. It’s terrible.
Diana: Well, not if it’s done out of affection.
Anne: If we keep noble aims in our hearts, he’ll be sure to forgive us. I’d love a surprise party. If I could, I’d hold one for myself. So I implore you, allow me a glimpse of my life’s greatest hope.
Marilla: Oh, all right child.
Anne and Diana: Yaay!
Marilla: But mind you don’t neglect your homework or chores.
Anne: Oh, we won’t, Marilla, thank you.
Diana: Let’s get to work!
Marilla: Hm? Mmm.
SCENE: Green Gables porch, later
Diana: He’ll get the shock of his–
Anne and Diana: [gasp]
Diana: [off-screen] Felix!
Anne: Excuse us but we have secret plans to attend to.
Diana: We can tell him, Anne. How else would people know to come?
Anne: Good point.
Uh. Felix? [off-screen] I hope you can be trusted to keep a secret.
Felix: You’re having a surprise party for Gilbert.
Anne: Oh, well… yes. It just so happens where we are.
Felix: [off-screen] I thought so from the way you’re acting at the schoolyard. I’m here to help.
Anne and Diana: Hmmm.
Felix: [off-screen] I could make invitations and deliver them, or decorate, or figure out the food.
Anne: Those are precisely the things Diana and I want to do.
Diana: And if we can’t have fun, what’s the point of holding a party?
Felix: He’s my friend too.
Anne: Felix, uh, wait!
You could… uh, mash apples for cider!
Diana: And sweep up the yard house?
Felix: Mashing? Sweeping?
Anne: Do you want to help or not?
Marilla: [off-screen] Girls, put yourselves in his shoes. Would you want such grim tasks to be the sum extent of your involvement?
Anne: Well…
Diana: No.
Marilla: If he’s offering to help, it’s only right to give him a task he’ll enjoy.
Anne: Marilla’s right. I know.
Felix, your job is figure out how to get Gilbert here.
Felix: Sure!
Diana: He must show at Green Gables promptly at 7 o’clock. The eve of his birthday.
Anne: And Felix, he mustn’t under any circumstances suspect a thing.
Felix: I will not disappoint you.
SCENE: Avonlea cliffs, later
Felix: [off-screen] Now, how do I get Gilbert to Green Gables on his birthday? Gosh, I hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew. No, I just have to think. If Gilbert thinks nothing is happening on his birthday, what would he do? Oh, Eureka, that’s it!
SCENE: Blythe house, later
Felix: Thanks for cooperating, Mrs. Blythe. You’re the first part of my plan.
SCENE: Woods, later
Diana: A perfect menu, fun activities, and a thrilling theme.
Anne: All for a party the likes of which Gilbert Blythe has never seen.
SCENE: Lawson’s store, later
Mr. Lawson: I guess I could stay open late.
Felix: Thanks Mr. Lawson, that way we’re sure to get Gilbert to Green Gables.
Mr. Lawson: Oh Felix, I’m not much good at these things. In my day, folks just held plain old birthday parties, no surprises.
Felix: You’ll be great. Just don’t let Gilbert catch on.
Mr. Lawson: Gilbert?
Felix: Exactly. If my mission is successful, we’ll get him to–
Mr. Lawson: [off-screen] Yes, yes, quiet, quiet.
Felix: Gilbert!
Gilbert: Oh, what mission?
Felix: Oh, no, no, no. I’m a magician, yes. I was saying I wanna play in cards too. I could learn some new card tricks.
Mr. Lawson: So he was, so he was. What can I get for you, Gilbert?
Gilbert: Let’s see my mother’s list.
Felix: I gotta go, gotta practice those tricks, you know.
Gilbert: [laughs] He’s in a rush.
Mr. Lawson: Well, I guess he doesn’t wanna be party… eh… tardy. [chuckles]
Gilbert: Looks like I’ll be back. This has nothing to do with cake. I have a feeling a certain kind of cake will be baked in my house soon.
Mr. Lawson: Oh, cake. You don’t say. Lovely. [hums]
Gilbert: Huh?
SCENE: Green Gables porch, later
Anne: Oh, well?
Felix: It’s hardly Gilbert’s cup of tea.
Anne: What do you mean? Those are wonderful party plans.
Diana: A spectacular menu.
Felix: He doesn’t even like sausage rolls. As for your games, Gilbert hates Pin the Tail on the Donkey. And at Felicity’s party, he thought Apple Dunkin was a big bore.
Anne: Well, you have to concede that our theme for the party is excellent.
Felix: Yes. Arthurian Knights and Princesses is a perfect party theme.
Anne: Exactly.
Felix: If your name is Anne or Diana.
Anne and Diana: [gasp]
Anne: Felix King, we’ve worked hard on this party.
Diana: Yes and we’re not gonna change it now.
SCENE: Perry’s house, later
Anne: Here’s your invitation, Perry.
Perry: Thanks.
Diana: Don’t be late.
Perry: I won’t.
SCENE: Amy’s house, later
Anne: I’m utterly astounded of Felix’s cockamamie ideas about the party.
Diana: He clearly has no idea how to host a soiree.
Amy: [gasps]
SCENE: Lloyd‘s house, later
Anne: At least I can count on us two to be of the same mind.
Diana: Now as for a gift I was thinking–
SCENE: Victoria’s house, later
Anne: Diana, that’s precisely what I mean! I was thinking about a gift too. I have the perfect idea.
Diana: I only hope it’s not too expensive.
Anne: Saturday, Victoria, and don’t breathe a word to Gilbert. Come on, Diana, or we’ll never finish.
SCENE: Green Gables barn, the following day
Felix: So if you just happened to show up at Lawson’s store at a quarter to seven, my plan will work.
Matthew Cuthbert: Well now, it seems a mighty complicated way to get a fella to show up somewhere.
Felix: I have to make sure Gilbert doesn’t suspect a thing.
Matthew: Oh, that’s fine and dandy but how do you make sure the boy’s at Lawson’s store in the first place?
Felix: Well… I’ll tell you.
Okay, first we… [whispers] and then he’s gonna come and then… [whispers]
Matthew: Well now, I see.
SCENE: Lawson’s store, later
Anne: Don’t you like it?
Diana: It’s nice but Marilla and my mother only gave us a nickel each to spend.
Anne: We want his present to be as outstanding as this party, don’t we?
Diana: This isn’t quite what I had in mind.
Anne: Oh, really? And what’s your idea?
Diana: Well…
Anne: A cheap tin belt’s buckle, that’ll never do.
SCENE: Avonlea street, later
Felix: Mrs. Hanson, you are the key to my plan. Are you up to the task?
Mrs. Hanson: Mhm.
Felix: I beg you, don’t fail in your mission or my goose is cooked.
Gilbert: [off-screen] Hey, Felix.
Felix: Hi, Gilbert. [whistles]
Gilbert: What’s this about a mission, Felix?
Felix: Oh, no nutrition. We’re having a goose for dinner.
Gilbert: Well, I’m fetching things from the store. I’m certain there will be ingredients for a cake.
SCENE: Lawson’s store, later
Anne: Oh, well, you’re a cheapskate.
Diana: Me?! You’re a hopeless spend thrift!
Mr. Lawson: Oh, oh.
Anne: I think it’s ugly!
Diana: Well, I think he’d like it!
Gilbert: [off-screen] Who’d like what?
Anne and Diana: Ehh.
Mr. Lawson: That I’d like it if, if, if, if… if they left the store right this instant.
Anne and Diana: [chatter] Yes.
Anne: Exactly.
Mr. Lawson: What can I get for you today?
Gilbert: Let’s see my mother’s list today. Pickles, cool oil and sardines? Has anybody remembered my birthday?
SCENE: In front of the store, later
Anne: You nearly ruined the surprise.
Diana: You were the one talking a mile a minute.
Anne: Diana, listen. We can’t let the pressure of this get to us.
Diana: Yes, well I’m starting to wonder if this party is worth the trouble.
Anne: Diana, wait.
Oh, dear. Why can’t the two of us see eye to eye. What a woeful day.
Gilbert: You said it.
SCENE: Green Gables barn, later
Anne: [off-screen] I tell you all I’ve been sorely misunderstood. Diana’s the stubborn one, not me.
SCENE: Green Gables barn, Anne’s imagination
Sorrel Mare: Well, I know what it’s like to be deemed a stubborn old horse.
Anne: Sorrel Mare, you’re the gentlest, nicest horse in Avonlea.
Sorrel Mare: I wasn’t always so good-tempered.
Anne: Really? I can’t believe it.
Sorrel Mare: Hop on and I’ll tell you the tale.
Anne: What’s stopped you from being stubborn?
Sorrel Mare: Only the kindness of my new owner.
Anne: Matthew? How?
Sorrel Mare: What can I say, the man understands me. There was a time before I came to Green Gables, when I wasn’t understood at all.
Anne: Do tell.
Sorrel Mare: Oh, it’s a sorry tale. For example, every day my previous owners would lead me down an awful rocky path all because they prefer the view.
SCENE: Avonlea cliffs, Anne’s imagination
Anne: [gasps] And what a view it is!
Previous owner: [off-screen] Hiya!
Sorrel Mare: Every day they go the same route and every day I’m miserable.
Anne: What scope for the imagination? I’m sure I’d be quite inspired by a daily dose of this vista.
Sorrel Mare: If only the owners considered how I might feel.
Anne: You might wish that but how can anybody know what another feels?
Sorrel Mare: Why, put yourself in my shoes.
Anne: Your shoes?
Sorrel Mare: Yes, my horseshoes.
Anne: Your horseshoes.
SCENE: Avonlea cliffs, Anne’s imagination, later
Anne: [grunts] You. Are. Heavyy.
Sorrel Mare: Oh, yes. Now that I’m not worried about dragging that infernal carriage, I can see it really is a lovely view.
Anne: Who cares about the view? My feet are killing me.
Sorrel Mare: Your feet? Now why would that be?
Anne: [grunts] My tender toes are being tortured. [grunts] Can’t we take an inland road? [grunts]
Sorrel Mare: That’s precisely the question I used to ask myself. Why couldn’t they see how it would be for me?
Anne: Yes. Why can’t they put themselves in my shoes?
SCENE: Green Gables barn, Anne’s imagination, later
Anne: [gasps] Oh, that was too much.
Sorrel Mare: So, you get the idea?
Anne: Sorrel Mare, you’ve shown me a very important lesson.
Sorrel Mare: And what’s that?
Anne: There is great value in using my imagination to put myself in another person’s place.
Sorrel Mare: If you did that, you might understand Diana’s point of view.
Anne: Exactly! I’d better go make amends right now. Thanks for the ride!
Sorrel Mare: Thanks for yours.
SCENE: Diana’s house, later
Anne: It’s up to me to settle this dispute with Diana. I’ll try the Sorrel Mare’s idea. Imagine being in Diana’s shoes.
SCENE: Diana’s room, Anne’s imagination, later
Anne: [gasps] Diana’s shoes and clothes. Oh, dear I hope that my hair isn’t– red. Oh well, still all of these luxurious puff-sleeved dresses, being in Diana’s shoes is fun. But to matters at hand, our argument started over Gilbert’s gift. Why does Diana feel the way she does? Hmm. She thought it was too expensive. [gasps] Why, Diana doesn’t have enough money. Hmm. That’s right. She spent her savings on a parasol for her mother. Eh. Diana wasn’t stingy at all. She just didn’t have the money. I wish I’d thought of that at the time.
SCENE: Diana’s house, present day, later
Anne: Now is my chance to repair the damage.
Mrs. Barry, I beseech you. Give me entrance into your home. I must beg forgiveness of your daughter.
SCENE: Diana’s room, later
Anne: Diana, I implore your forgiveness. I now respect your wish not to spend so much money on Gilbert’s gift.
Diana: Apology accepted. But it still doesn’t solve our problem of what to give him.
Anne: I’ve got a new idea. We make a gift.
Diana: A perfect solution! But what?
Anne: Oh well, what would Gilbert like?
SCENE: Mexican desert, Anne’s imagination
Anne: He’s fascinated by ranching, the Sierra Madre, Mexican ?, Mexico… Mexico… A piñata, that’s it!
SCENE: Green Gables kitchen, present day, later
Diana: A piñata is a great idea, Anne. Gilbert’s sure to love it.
Anne: Your idea to give the party a Mexican theme was pure inspiration.
Diana: Now, what do we put inside this horse?
Anne: Well, what trinkets and treats are Gilbert’s favourites?
SCENE: Avonlea school, later
Felix: Huh. There, that should work perfectly.
SCENE: Green Gables parlor, later
Anne: Welcome, welcome. Right this way seňores and seňoritas.
Marilla: [off-screen] I must say you’ve outdone yourself, Anne. Gilbert’s sure to like his party.
Perry: Speaking of Gilbert, how’s he getting to Green Gables anyway?
Felix: [chuckles] He should be here soon.
SCENE: Avonlea school, later
Gilbert: This is the worst birthday of my life. Even my parents are busy at a town meeting. Oh. I guess everybody’s got something better to do tonight. Now what have we here?
SCENE: Green Gables parlor, later
Perry: You expect him to lasso a picture of a horse?
Felix: I-I figured he’d go looking for somebody to play with and would find it.
Diana: And lasso it?
Felix: Sure, isn’t it obvious?
Anne: Felix, couldn’t you have come up with something a little simpler?
SCENE: Avonlea school, later
Gilbert: Hey, at least something’s going right tonight. Now what’s this? A note? “Good for one free soda on your birthday.” Hmm. My luck is changing after all.
SCENE: Green Gables parlor, later
Perry: How do you know Gilbert will even have his lasso with him?
Felix: I just imagined what he’d do.
Perry: I’d better go find him.
Anne: Let’s not give up on Felix just yet.
Perry: Yeah.
SCENE: Lawson’s store, later
Gilbert: [off-screen] I appreciate the soda, Mr. Lawson. At least I got one treat today.
Mr. Lawson: Well, I must tell you looked pretty birthday– thirsty. Oof.
Matthew: Why, hello there. The store’s open late tonight.
Mr. Lawson: Yes, I just finished serving Gilbert here his soda. Did you know it’s his birthday?
Matthew: You don’t say.
And how are you spending it, Gilbert?
Gilbert: I guess I’ll see if this old rope can lasso something.
So long.
Mr. Lawson: Eh.
Matthew: Hey, Gilbert, you know I have some new rope back at Green Gables, I could make you a proper lasso.
Gilbert: You could?
SCENE: Green Gables parlor, later
Perry: [off-screen] This is just great. This party has everything but the guest of honor.
Diana: Give Felix a chance, it’s just seven now.
Felix: He’ll make it. He’s just got to.
Anne: Quiet, everyone. Matthew’s coming through the gate, and he’s got Gilbert with him!
Children: Yaay.
Anne: Shh. Shh.
SCENE: Green Gables porch, later
Matthew: Now why don’t you just head on inside while I put the Sorrel Mare into the barn? Anne should be there. Yeah and we can have some hot cocoa.
Gilbert: Huh. So, this is what it’s come to. Hot cocoa with Anne and Mr. Cuthbert.
Marilla: Why, Gilbert, what a surprise, come in.
Anne, you’ll never guess who’s here.
Gilbert: Miss Cuthbert? Eh, what’s that on your head?
Marilla: What? Woo, woo, well, nothing. [chuckles]
Gilbert: Oh, I just dropped by to–
Marilla and children: Surprise!
Gilbert: [gasps]
Felix: Three cheers for Gilbert. Hip hip!
Everyone: Hooray!
SCENE: Green Gables barn, later
Felix: [off-screen] Hip hip!
Everyone: [off-screen] Hooray!
Felix: [off-screen] Hip hip!
Matthew: [chuckles]
Everyone: [off-screen] Hooray!
Matthew: Phew.
SCENE: Green Gables parlor, later
Gilbert: Anne, how did you know I’d show up?
Anne: It’s all thanks to Felix.
Felix: I just put myself in your shoes and imagined what you’d do.
Gilbert: Well, Felix, it was a great plan. This is the most wonderful birthday anybody could hope for.
SCENE: Green Gables parlor, later
Gilbert: [off-screen] Eh. Eh.
Felix: [off-screen] Almost got it.
Perry: [chuckles] One more good hit, Gilbert.
Gilbert: Eh.
Children: Yaay. Free candy.
Diana: You did it!
Gilbert: You did it, thanks for everything.
Anne: Although this experience has transformed me forever, have no fear. I won’t put myself in your shoes, the weeks before my birthday. I’d hate to deduce your plot should you decide to hold me a surprise party.
Gilbert: [laughs] Oh, Anne.
Diana: We’ll see, Anne. [laughs]
Gilbert: Well, shall we?
SCENE: Outside Green Gables, later
A WORD FROM THE KIDS
Haleigh Sheehan: [off-screen] In this story, the first party that Anne and Diana plan for Gilbert is about princes and princesses. Do you think this is something Gilbert would have liked or is it something that Anne and Diana liked for themselves? And why do you think they would have planned this for Gilbert if it wasn’t something he would have liked?
Girl with Long Hair: They weren’t thinking what Gilbert would like. They were just… they were just thinking what they would like.
Haleigh: Hey, what does it mean to put yourself in someone else’s shoes?
Boy in Grey Jumper: Walking in somebody else’s shoes is like feeling how they’ll feel so you can put yourself in their position to understand what they’re feeling.
Haleigh: What do you think it would be like to put yourself in someone else’s shoes? Like say a teacher of your parents or a police officer?
Girl with a Hairband: I think putting myself in my teacher’s shoes is gonna be kind of hard because at home she has to help her children do homework and at school she has to deal with stuff like somebody is fighting.
Girl in Light T-shirt: Putting myself in my mum’s shoes would be pretty stressful too, because she’s a single parent. And I’m always asking for clothes and I wanna hang out with my friends and stuff. And she gets really worried because I’m out late.
Girl in Pink Jumper: [off-screen] Putting myself in my parents’ shoes, it’d very hard because they have a lot of responsibilities and stuff like going to work and looking after me. And my mum is having another kid so that would be really hard too.
Girl with a Hairband: Putting myself in my mum’s shoes is really difficult because she doesn’t really know a lot of English. When I have trouble doing my homework, she has to look in a dictionary for every single word.
Boy in Adidas T-Shirt: Putting myself in the policeman’s shoes would kinda be stressful cause it’s a kind of a really hard job to do.
Girl with a Hairband: You have to deal with someone that has weapons.