Cholera invades the British colony of India, changing young Mary Lennox's life forever. Her father was an officer in the British army stationed in India. Her mother was a popular socialite, who seemed to want to deny the fact that she had a little daughter. Neither parent has been attentive. Mary has been mostly raised by servants native to India. She is spoiled and does not know how to do the simplest things for herself.
When the cholera epidemic kills her parents, her nurse, and forces the servants to flee, Mary is left alone in her parents' bungalow. A couple of British soldiers find her. They take her to stay with another British family. The children nickname the disagreeable girl "Mary, Mary, quite contrary."
The late Mrs. Lennox had a sister. She was married to a wealthy British gentleman, Mr. Archibald Craven. Mrs. Craven died many years ago, but her husband respects his connection to Mary, and sends for her to live with him in his manor on the English moor.
Mary travels to England and begins her new life at Missilthwaite, under the care of the strict housekeeper Mrs. Medlock. Mary does not meet her uncle right away. He chooses not to see her. All she knows about him is that he is a middle-aged, solitary hunchback.
Mary's low spirits and serious nature are foiled by Martha, one of Mr. Craven's maids. Warm and kindhearted, Martha takes Mary under her wing. She tells Mary all about her large family, especially her brother Dickon. Dickon spends most of his time on the moor with the animals. He understands animals and they trust him.
Under the grey, early spring skies, Mary explores the gardens on her uncle's estate. She makes two more friends (Ben Weatherstaff, the crusty gardener, and Robin Red Breast, a friendly robin). In the garden, where she loves to play, Mary finds a secret garden, with no door. Ben and Martha both know something about this doorless garden, but both are reluctant to tell her the entire story. All Mary can learn is that it was once Mrs. Craven's, and it has been locked up ever since she died.
Another mystery appears to live inside Misselthwaite manor. At night Mary can hear moans and crying. Although Martha tries to persuade her it is just the wind, one particular night, Mary decides to uncover the truth.
Contrary to many stories that feature an angelic girl who changes lives for the better, Mary Lennox must experience a change within her own heart before she can help and understand those she meets in her new home. Her feisty temper and spoiled nature make her a miserable companion. But with time, friendship, and the garden, Mary's character improves and she becomes another charming daughter of literature.
When the cholera epidemic kills her parents, her nurse, and forces the servants to flee, Mary is left alone in her parents' bungalow. A couple of British soldiers find her. They take her to stay with another British family. The children nickname the disagreeable girl "Mary, Mary, quite contrary."
The late Mrs. Lennox had a sister. She was married to a wealthy British gentleman, Mr. Archibald Craven. Mrs. Craven died many years ago, but her husband respects his connection to Mary, and sends for her to live with him in his manor on the English moor.
Mary travels to England and begins her new life at Missilthwaite, under the care of the strict housekeeper Mrs. Medlock. Mary does not meet her uncle right away. He chooses not to see her. All she knows about him is that he is a middle-aged, solitary hunchback.
Mary's low spirits and serious nature are foiled by Martha, one of Mr. Craven's maids. Warm and kindhearted, Martha takes Mary under her wing. She tells Mary all about her large family, especially her brother Dickon. Dickon spends most of his time on the moor with the animals. He understands animals and they trust him.
Under the grey, early spring skies, Mary explores the gardens on her uncle's estate. She makes two more friends (Ben Weatherstaff, the crusty gardener, and Robin Red Breast, a friendly robin). In the garden, where she loves to play, Mary finds a secret garden, with no door. Ben and Martha both know something about this doorless garden, but both are reluctant to tell her the entire story. All Mary can learn is that it was once Mrs. Craven's, and it has been locked up ever since she died.
Another mystery appears to live inside Misselthwaite manor. At night Mary can hear moans and crying. Although Martha tries to persuade her it is just the wind, one particular night, Mary decides to uncover the truth.
Contrary to many stories that feature an angelic girl who changes lives for the better, Mary Lennox must experience a change within her own heart before she can help and understand those she meets in her new home. Her feisty temper and spoiled nature make her a miserable companion. But with time, friendship, and the garden, Mary's character improves and she becomes another charming daughter of literature.
