Jerusha Abbott at 18 years is the eldest orphan at John Grier Home
orphanage. All petty responsibilities of the kids at the orphanage rest
on her tender shoulders. One fine day, her mundane life undergoes
a surprising change when an unknown trustee of the orphanage
offers to pay for her college education as he is very impressed by
one of her essays! He promises her a liberal monthly allowance
and insists on being anonymous. His only condition is that Jerusha
should send him monthly letters and keep him posted about her life
in college, but not to expect any replies from him.
What follows is an insight into Jerusha’s unexplored, fascinating world
of college life through the letters that she writes to her unknown
benefactor. She addresses him adoringly as “Daddy-Long-Legs” as
she had seen his long shadow once while he was leaving the asylum.
She shares a love–hate–anger–gratitude relationship with him.
Finally, at the end of the story, the identity of Daddy-Long-Legs is
revealed. Is her godfather someone familiar or a total stranger?