IISWAI

International Students with Awesome Ideas

Volume 2, Issue 5

August 2009

My Confidant Friend, “Anne”

 

1 First meeting with “Anne”

When I was 10 years old, I found a book at the library of our elementary

school. The book was Anne Of Green Gables. It is about a girl who has red hair

and a very freckled face. She is not a pretty girl, but I was attracted to her.

Why? I don't know but I thought strongly, “She is my friend, the bond of

friendship will unite us” It was a very fat book, not so easy to read, but I

finished reading it in only one night. After this I borrowed the same book from

the library and I read it many many times until I remembered all of the scenes

in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After one month, my parents presented me the book. I will never forget

how I rejoiced! The book became my treasure. I didn't know where Prince

Edward Island was. I only had the name “Canada” I studied many countries

until I found Canada and Prince Edward Island. It was too far from Japan,

but I didn't worry, when I thought about Anne, my mind could always go to

Prince Edward Island.

 

When I was 15years old I bought the whole set of Anne Of Green Gables

books. There are 10 books, going from Anne Of Green Gables to Lira of Anne's

daughter. There are no pictures only words. On my book shelf there are still

those 10 books. The paper is discolored and brown, but these books are still

my treasures.

 

 

2 I found Canadian pen pal

When I was 37 years old, I started to correspond with a Canadian lady who

lived in St.Catharines, which is near Niagara Falls, and we promised to go to

each others country some day.

 

After 4 years I went to Canada, I stayed at her house for one month. We had

good times and talked about many many things. Then I came to Prince

Edward Island to watch the musical Anne Of Green Gables. The musical moved

me very much, and next day I went to Cavendish by bus tour. I felt Anne and

I felt the same wind, the same air as Anne. But the tour stayed at Anne's

house only 30 minutes, I was very sad. The driver of the red bus who was a

70 year old man asked me, “How is the bus tour?”

 

So, I answered honestly, “This tour stayed at Anne's house only 30 minutes, I was very sad.”

 

He said to me, “You love Anne don't you?”

I said, “Of course!”

 

“OK! Tomorrow I will take you to Cavendish again.”

 

He was a very kind and gentle man and he was very popular with people.

Every person said to him, “Hi Jon!” wherever, whenever he was smile and

talked with them and introduced me. He took me many places, at last he took

me to the airport.

 

I saw Anne and I met a very nice friend, Jon! Prince Edward Island was a

very beautiful place so I decided to come again, and I wanted to stay longer.

Maybe Anne would be waiting for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 I came back to see Anne again

After 23 years, now I'm here, I have come back to see Anne! I'm studying

at Study Abroad Canada For one month I will stay in Charlottetown, I'm home

staying at Mr. & Mrs. Kays's house. They are a very nice couple. I always

imagine Anne & Gilbert are older, and that they are the same as my host

family.

 

Of course I watched the musical and went to Cavendish three times during

4 weeks, 23years ago, I bought a record of the Anne Of Green Gables musical,

after I went back to Japan, I listened many many times. So, this time when I

listened to the numbers, I could sing all the melodies and the good old

memories rushed into my mind, I could not stop my tears.

 

I had walked in The Lover's Lane and The Haunted Forest, I read all of the

guide board with a dictionary to consult for difficult wards. I could understand

how Montgomery and Anne love this place. I talked with many trees, wind,

birds, sky, clouds. All the way my walking. The house of Green Gables or

garden were a little different, but nature was not changed.

 

I went to Avonlea Village and I entered one old house, in the house there

was an old organ, when I watched the organ, one person who is an actor,

impersonating Matthew said “Will you play the organ, Please?”

 

So I began to play Edelweiss and he began singing. I also sang with him.

When we finished I said, “Your voice is nice! I'm very happy.”

 

He also said, “Your playing is so nice. Please play another song.”

So I began Danny Boy, soon he began to sing with me. When we finished our singing there were many people in the room and they were clapping for us and said, “Please, play Edelweiss once more.” So I began to play the organ again and many people sang together. I had a wonderful time. I will never forget it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 Anne gives me many things

She is very beautiful lady of course, figure and soul, mind, and is liberal to

other people. From when she was a child she was always a challenger, curious

and kind. She was very tough with everything, laughing, crying, being angry

etc. She tried hard for everything, so, she failed many times. But she never

felt down, soon she refreshed and she challenged again, I can't rebound so

soon.

 

But always Anne takes a positive slant on everything, however great her

sorrow or suffering, she continued her smiling and thinking how to solve

problems.

 

Anne is a pacifist, she loves plants, and all creatures in the earth, and she

hates war. Now in the world, there are many many wars or conflicts between

countries and religions. If Anne was living in the present, how would she feel.

Anne is a lady without discrimination as a person, as a teacher, as a

mother, she took a stand against discrimination. She was a nice person and a

nice teacher.

 

Anne is an imaginative person, from when she was a child her eyes were

shiny, Now, many children's eyes are not so shiny as Anne's were, because

there are many chains in their lives.

 

I am a teacher the same as Anne, I am going to continue to teach about the

importance of peace, love, friendship, nature of all the world and the

importance of having dreams and trying to make the dreams come true.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 See you again Anne

This year I came back to Prince Edward Island and here I experienced

many many wonderful things, studying, meeting with many people, making

friendships, the great classes of Judith and Grace, wonderful host family, food,

musicals.

 

And many people helped me. All these things are my treasure. I will never

forget. Lots of thanks for everyone for everything. And so much thanks for

Anne. See you again! I will come back here for sure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Masae

When LM Montgomery wrote “Anne of Green Gables”,  she couldn’t have had any notion of just how far across time, distance and culture her little book would resonate.  Masae is just one of many who have been deeply touched by “Anne”.  One of many, yes, but her account is her own—personal and unique.

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