The Secret
Garden
Adapted by H. Q. Mitchell - Marileni Malkogianni
The Secret
Garden
Adapted by H. Q. Mitchell - Marileni Malkogianni
Published by: MM Publications
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Produced in the EU
| ISBN: 978-618-05-0245-9 | C1911009034-16984 |
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett made its first
appearance in parts in The American Magazine in 1910. The whole
book was published the following year.
The main characters are Mary, a ten-year-old girl who moves
to her uncle’s house on the Yorkshire Moors after her parents die
in India; Colin, Mary’s cousin, a boy who is often ill and stays in
bed for most of the day; and Dickon, a cheerful Yorkshire boy who
brings joy and happiness to the lives of others.
Throughout the book, we follow the changes in the children’s
lives as they discover and transform a secret garden.
Burnett lived at Great Maytham Hall in Kent, Southern England,
from 1898 to 1907. There were extensive gardens around the house
and she liked to spend time writing and relaxing there. She even
worked in the gardens and planted hundreds of roses, her favourite
flowers. The place was probably the inspiration for her book.
The author is well-known for other children’s books, such as
Little Lord Fauntleroy (1885-1886) and A Little Princess (1905),
which, at their time, were even more successful than The Secret
Garden.
The Secret Garden is one of her most popular books and it is a
classic of English literature. There have been many adaptations for
the theatre, cinema and TV
Nine-year old Mary Lennox lived with her mother and father in a huge house in India. She was not very pretty and had yellow hair and a pale face because she was often ill. She was an only child but her parents didn’t have a lot of time for her. The Indian servants looked after her and did everything for her; Mary became a very bossy little girl with no friends. Then, one day, a terrible disease killed Mary’s parents and most of the servants in the house. The rest of the servants ran away at night. Everybody forgot about little Miss Mary and she stayed in the empty house alone. Two army officers went into the house to investigate. “There is a child here! She is all alone! Who is she?” an army officer cried out when he saw the girl. “My name is Mary Lennox,” answered the girl angrily. “Where is everybody? Why are my servants not here?” “Poor little kid. Everybody has left,” said the officer. “What are we going to do about her?” asked one of the men. “She hasn’t got anyone here in India,” said the officer. “But I’ve heard of an uncle in Yorkshire. Maybe she can go there.” It was a long journey to England. When the ship arrived, Mary’s uncle wasn’t there to meet her. Mrs Medlock, his housekeeper, was waiting for her. Mrs Medlock was a strong woman with red cheeks. She was a good servant but she didn’t know anything about children. They travelled by train and on the way to Yorkshire Mrs Medlock turned and looked at the girl. “Do you know anything about your uncle?” she asked. “No,” said Mary. She tried to look like she didn’t care. “Mr Archibald Craven lives in Misselthwaite Manor,” said the woman. “It’s six hundred years old and it has over a hundred rooms and lots of gardens. Your uncle has got a bad back and he is a difficult man. You see his wife died a few years ago and…” “Oh! She died?” Mary jumped in.
“Yes, she died,” answered Mrs Medlock. “He misses her very much. Now he doesn’t care about anybody. He isn’t going to spend time with you; in fact, he often goes away. There is nobody to play with you at Misselthwaite. You can play outside but you can’t explore inside the house. There are rules. You mustn’t open locked doors or play in the corridors! Mr Craven won’t like it.” Mary said nothing but she wasn’t happy. She didn’t like rules and she didn’t like getting orders from a servant.
Martha, a friendly Yorkshire girl, woke Mary up on her first day at Misselthwaite, “Good morning Miss Mary, I’ve brought your breakfast,” she said. Mary looked at her. “Are you my servant?” she asked. “Oh no, I work for Mrs Medlock,” answered Martha. “I’ll clean and bring your meals but the rest you have to do yourself.” “Who is going to put on my clothes?” asked Mary. Martha laughed. “You’re nine years old! You can put on your clothes!” “You are only a servant! You know nothing!” shouted the girl. “In India my servants did everything for me! It’s so different here. I hate it!” she said and started crying. “Oh, no… please don’t cry, Miss Mary,” Martha said kindly. “I’m sorry. Look, I’ll help you get dressed and tell you about my family.” Mary stopped crying. “That’s better. Well, I’ve got eleven younger brothers and sisters and they all live in a little house on the moor!” began Martha. “The moor?” asked the girl. “Yes,” said Martha. “Look out the window. There’s the beautiful Yorkshire moor.” Mary looked at the grey sky and empty land. It wasn’t beautiful. “My brother Dickon loves playing on the moor,” Martha said. “The wild birds and animals are his friends.” “I’d like to have an animal friend,” thought Mary. She sat down for breakfast but didn’t eat much. “I don’t want it,” she said and pushed her plate away. “You don’t want your breakfast!” exclaimed Martha. “Then go out and play in the gardens.” “But what can I do there?” asked Mary. “I’ll tell you a secret,” said Martha and she looked around. “One of the gardens is locked. Nobody has been in it for ten years.” “Why?” asked Mary. “Mr Craven closed it when his wife died. Maybe you can find it,” said Martha.
It was a cold, winter day. The gardens were quiet and empty. Only an old gardener was outside, but he didn’t talk to her. Suddenly, a bird started singing. It was in a tree behind a big wall but she couldn’t see a door in the wall. “How do I get into that garden?” she asked the man. “What garden?” he said coldly. “Where the bird is,” said Mary and pointed at the little bird. The old man looked up and smiled. He called the bird and it flew down to him. “Oh, it knows you,” said Mary. “What’s your name?” “Ben Weatherstaff,” answered the man. “I’ve worked here for years. This robin is my only friend.” “I haven’t got any friends,” said Mary. Ben smiled. “You’re lonely like me but I think this robin likes you.” “Do you think so? Will you be my friend little bird? Will you?” said Mary sweetly and the robin sang back. Then it flew behind a tall wall. “Oh, no,” said Mary. “It's behind that wall. Where is the door?” “There is no door,” said Ben and stopped smiling. “Nobody can get into that garden! Go and play now, I have no time,” he said and walked away. That evening she asked Martha, “Where is the secret garden?” Martha looked at her. “Well, listen,” she said. “The garden was a special place. Your aunt and uncle spent hours there. She always sat on the branch of an old tree but one day the branch broke… it was a very bad fall… she died. Mr Craven locked the door and threw away the key. Nobody knows where it is,” said Martha. They sat and looked at the fire when suddenly the wind opened the door. Mary heard a strange noise. “Do you hear anyone crying?” she asked Martha. “No,” said the servant. “It’s the wind.” “But listen,” said Mary again. “It’s a child! In the house, at the end of the corridor!” Martha got up quickly and closed the door. “There’s nothing there, only the wind,” she said and looked at Mary. Mary said nothing but thought, “This house is full of secrets.”
“Martha!” shouted Mary one morning, “Look at the moor!” The sun was shining, the sky was blue and everything looked beautiful. “Spring is coming,” smiled Martha. “There will be lots of colourful flowers on the moor soon.” It was Martha’s day off and she was going to see her family. “I’d like to visit your house one day,” said Mary. “It’s a long walk,” said Martha, “but I can ask my mother; she can talk to Mrs Medlock about it. I must go now but I’ll see you tomorrow!” “I'd like to meet your mother,” said Mary. “And Dickon.” Martha smiled. “I wonder,” she said, “what Dickon would think of you?” “I don’t think he would like me,” answered the girl coldly. Martha was surprised. “Why?” she asked. “Don’t you like yourself?” “No, not at all,” said Mary. “But I’ve never thought of that before.” “Well, think about it now,” said Martha gently and left. Mary went out to the gardens. Ben and two other gardeners were working and the robin was singing loudly. “Look! Everything is starting to grow,” Ben said and smiled at her. “Ben is happy today,” thought Mary as she walked away. The robin followed her. “Hello! Do you remember me?” she asked the bird. The robin flew down to her and Mary saw something on the ground. “What’s that?” she asked. “Oh… it’s an old key! Perhaps it’s the key to the garden!” she said and put the key in her pocket. Early the next morning Martha came back. “I brought you a present!” she said happily to Mary, “It’s from my mother.” “A present?” asked Mary “Oh… what is it?” “It’s a skipping rope. Mother says it will help you.” “I don’t know what to say; th- thank you.”
Martha laughed, “Go outside and try it.” Mary skipped and skipped, all the way to the garden wall. The robin was sitting there. “You showed me the key yesterday,” she said. “But where is the door?” The robin started singing. Suddenly the wind blew and some branches moved from the wall. “Oh! It’s magic!” thought Mary as a door appeared. She tried the key and the heavy door opened. Mary took a step through the door and smiled. She was standing inside the secret garden! It was the most mysterious place you could imagine. There were hundreds of plants and rose bushes and tall grass everywhere. Leaves and branches hung from walls and trees and the garden smelled sweet and wet. “It’s so quiet in here,” she whispered. “Has everything died?”
Then she noticed some little green plants in the ground. She took a stick and cleaned round them. “I can help these flowers to grow,” she thought and she worked all morning until lunchtime. “You ate all your food and look at your red cheeks!” said Martha. “Mother was right.” “Martha,” she said slowly, “I want to make a little garden but I need some things. Mrs Medlock gives me money from my uncle every week. Where can I buy a small spade?” Martha thought for a minute. “There’s a shop in the village; it sells garden tools and flowers. My brother Dickon often goes there. He can buy things for you and bring them here.” “Oh… could he, Martha?” said Mary. “Yes! We’ll send him a letter with some money,” answered Martha. Mary was excited. “I’m going to meet Dickon! I want to see him very much!” she thought and smiled.
Mary worked in her garden every day. One morning she asked Ben Weatherstaff. “What flowers do you like most, Ben? Do you like roses?” “Yes I do,” he smiled. “I worked for a kind young lady ten years ago. Her garden was full of roses and she loved them very much.” “Where is she now?” asked Mary. “Heaven,” he answered and went back to work. “Oh… and the flowers?” she asked. “Did they die?” Ben looked at her. “Some of them lived… but why are you asking so many questions?” “Well, I... I’ve got nothing to do,” said Mary quickly and skipped away. Then, she heard a strange sound. She went towards it and saw a boy with a squirrel and two rabbits around him. He was playing music to them with a wooden pipe. “Don’t move; they will run away,” he said to her quietly. He stopped playing and stood up slowly. “I’m Dickon,” he said. “And you’re Miss Mary.” Dickon was twelve and he had very blue eyes and a big smile. “Hello,” she said. “Did you get the letter?” “Yes,” answered the boy. “Look! I’ve brought the tools and some flower seeds.” “Oh thank you!” she said. “I can help you plant them. Where’s your garden?” he asked. Mary’s face turned red. She looked at Dickon. “Can you keep a secret?” she asked. “I keep secrets all the time,” he said. “Don’t worry.” “I’ve taken a garden,” she said. “Nobody wants it and nobody ever goes there. And nobody can take it away from me!” she said and started crying. Dickon spoke kindly. “Don’t worry,” he said again. “I won’t say anything. Where is it?” Mary took him to the secret garden and opened the door. “Oh, it’s beautiful,” he said. “It’s like a dream!” “Did you know about it?” Mary asked.
“Martha told me about it. I always wanted to see it,” he said. “I want everything to grow again,” she told him. “Will you help me, please?” “I’ll come every day,” he said. “There is a lot to do but we’ll have great fun!” The two children happily began their work. Mary didn’t want to stop at midday. “I have to go for lunch. Will you leave too?” she asked Dickon. “I have my lunch with me,” he smiled and took out a sandwich. “You go and eat and I’ll do some more work.” She ran to her room. “Martha!” she said, excited. “I’ve seen Dickon!” “Well,” said Martha. “Did he bring your tools and flowers?” “Oh, yes. They were just what I wanted. And I really like Dickon too! He’s waiting for me outside,” smiled Mary and ate quickly. But Martha had news. “Your uncle came home this morning, Miss Mary, and he wants to see you.” Mary went white. Mrs Medlock took the girl to her uncle’s room. He was sitting in an armchair by the fire. He was a tall man with an unhappy face and his black hair was starting to turn white. “This is Miss Mary, sir,” said Mrs Medlock. “Thank you, Medlock, you may go,” said Mr Craven. “Are you well?” he asked Mary. “Yes,” answered the girl. “I’m sorry but I forgot about you. I think I have to get a teacher for you,” he said. Mary began to shake. “Please…” she said. “Please, don’t get me a teacher yet.” “Don’t look so frightened, child. I don’t know anything about children but I want you to be happy. What would you like? Do you need toys or books?” asked Mr Craven. “I… like playing outside and I… would like a little garden,” she finally said. “A garden!” he said. “Do you like gardens?” “Yes!” she said. “I want to make things grow.” Mr Craven’s eyes got kinder. “Someone else loved flowers too.”
he said quietly. “A teacher can wait - you can have your garden,” he told Mary. And he added, “Tomorrow I’m leaving; so, goodbye.” Mary was very happy. She ran to her magic place but Dickon was not there. Then she saw a note on a tree. It was from Dickon. I will come back
Mary went to bed happy but a storm woke her up in the middle of the night. “Oh no, it’s raining! I can’t go to the garden tomorrow and see Dickon. I hate the rain!” she thought. Mary lay awake and turned from side to side. Suddenly, she heard the strange sound from the corridor again. “It isn’t the wind,” she thought. “What is it? I’m going to find out.” She went down the long corridor and saw light under a closed door. The sound was coming from behind the door. Mary opened it and saw a huge room with a large bed. A pale face with big, grey eyes turned and looked at her from the bed. It was the face of a boy and he was crying. “Who are you? Are you a ghost?” he asked. “No, I’m not.” she answered. “Are you?” “No… I’m Colin Craven. Who are you?” asked the boy. “I’m Mary Lennox. Mr Craven is my uncle,” she said. “He’s my father,” said the boy. “Your father!” exclaimed Mary. “He has a child? Nobody told me!” “The servants aren’t allowed to talk about me. I don’t want people to see me and talk about me,” said Colin. “Why?” asked Mary.
Because I am always ill and I can’t walk,” said Colin. “Does your father come and visit you?” she asked. “Sometimes. He usually comes when I’m sleeping. My mother died when I was born and he doesn’t want to see me,” he answered. “He doesn’t want the garden too, because she died,” she said. “What garden?” asked the boy. “Oh, just a garden…” said Mary quickly. “Your father locked it ten years ago and nobody can go inside.” “They must open it,” he said. “The servants have to listen to me. I can make them do that. I can make them open the door.” Mary’s eyes opened wide. “Oh, don’t – don’t – don’t do that! It won’t be a secret garden anymore,” she said. “Mmm… I’ve never had a secret before, but I think I like this one,” said Colin. “So, I won’t say anything but you must come to my room every day.” “Mrs Medlock won’t like it,” she said. “I won’t tell her,” he said. “I will send Martha for you.” The next day Mary told Martha about Colin. Martha went red, “Oh no! He’s a very difficult boy. I will lose my job.” “No you won’t,” said Mary. “He likes me. Why can’t he walk?” “Nobody is sure,” answered Martha. “You know his mother died. Well, Mr Craven couldn’t even look at the baby. Nurses and servants
looked after Colin. He was often ill and he always stayed in bed. Mr Craven’s brother is a doctor and he thinks the boy will die.” That afternoon, Colin sent his nurse away and asked for Mary. She told him about the moor and Dickon and his wild animals but she did not tell him about the secret garden. The two children talked and laughed for hours, when suddenly the door opened and Mrs Medlock walked in with Doctor Craven. “What is this?” asked the surprised doctor. Colin looked at them. “This is my cousin, Mary Lennox. She must visit me every day.” Dr Craven did not look happy. “Colin, you are ill. You will get very tired. It is not good for you.” “I feel better. I like Mary, she makes me better. Medlock, tell the nurse to bring us our tea now. Mary and I will have tea together,” ordered Colin and everybody had to listen.
chapter 6
It rained all week. Mary couldn’t go to the garden or see Dickon but she spent every day in Colin’s room. “You broke the rules but Master Colin likes you,” said Mrs Medlock. “He doesn’t cry so much now and he is feeling better.” Mary liked Colin but she was careful not to tell him about the garden. “He isn’t Dickon,” she thought. “Can he keep my secret?” On the first sunny day, Mary woke up very early. She put on her clothes quickly and ran to the secret garden. Dickon was already there with his friends, a little fox and a blackbird. “Oh good morning, Dickon,” she said happily. “I’m so happy you’re here!” Dickon smiled. “This little fox is Captain,” he said “and the blackbird’s name is Soot.” “That’s nice! I’ve got news for you, too! I found my cousin, Colin. Did you know about him?” “Yes. I’m sorry, but Martha and I couldn’t tell you,” answered Dickon. “Is he very ill?”
“He forgets about it with me.” she said. “The poor boy is always in bed. Maybe we could bring him out here to the garden,” said Dickon. “That’s a good idea,” she smiled. “He would like to see a secret garden.” The two children had lots of work in the garden and Mary didn’t go to Colin’s room at midday. In the evening, she found him very angry. “Why didn’t you come?” he asked her. “I was waiting for you! Now my back and my head hurt!” “I was working in the garden with Dickon,” she answered. “I will send Dickon away if you spend more time with him!” Colin said angrily. Mary got angry too. “If you do that, I will never come to this room again!” “You’ll have to if I want you to!” he said. “I won’t!” she cried. “You’re selfish!” “No, I’m not!” he said. “I am ill and I’m going to die!” “You’re not!” she said. “You just want people to be sorry for you!” “Get out!” he shouted and threw his pillow at her. “I’m going and I’m not coming back!” she shouted. “I won’t tell you about the garden or Dickon or his idea!” That night, Colin’s crying and screaming woke everybody up. It was awful. The nurse came running to Mary. “Please come quickly, Miss Mary; we can’t do anything, but maybe you can.” Mary was still angry with Colin. She ran into his room and shouted at him. “Stop! You must stop or we will all leave the house and you will be all alone!” “I can’t… I can’t stop!” he cried. “I’m ill and I will die!” “No, you won’t!” she shouted. “You are always saying that but it’s not true!” Colin stopped crying and looked at her. “Do you really think… I will live and grow up?” “Yes,” she answered. “If you go outside, you will get strong.” Colin took her hand. “I shall go out with you,” he said quietly. “Can you please stay and talk to me until I go to sleep?” Mrs Medlock, Martha and the nurse stood there with open mouths. Colin never said ‘please’
It was a long night and Mary woke up late the next day. “Master Colin would like to see you,” said Martha. “He said ‘please’!” Mary wanted to see Dickon very much but she decided to go to Colin’s room first. “Thank you for coming,” said Colin quietly. “I’m very tired today. Are you going out?” “Yes, I’m going to Dickon,” she answered. “It’s about the secret garden.” “I dreamed about the garden last night,” smiled Colin. “It was wonderful. Please, come back quickly.” Mary ran to the garden. Dickon was there with three more friends, Jump the pony and two squirrels, Nut and Shell. Mary told him all about Colin. Dickon was sorry for him. “That poor boy,” he began. “He is alone and gets frightened and has bad thoughts. We have to bring him here, to feel the sun and smell the flowers.” “Yes,” she said. “But first, you must visit him with your animals.” Mary went back to the house and sat on Colin’s bed. “You smell nice and fresh,” said Colin. “It’s the smell of flowers and the grass. It’s the smell of the moor,” she said. “Dickon had lots of animals today,” she continued. “There was the fox and the blackbird, two squirrels and a pony!” “I would like to meet Dickon,” said Colin. “Good,” she said. “Because tomorrow he is coming to see you with his animal friends.” “Really?” asked Colin and his eyes grew bigger. “Yes, really - and there’s more,” she went on. “I’ve found the door to the secret garden.” “Oh, Mary,” he said and took her hand. “Will I see it?” “Of course you will,” she laughed. “Don’t be silly.” Doctor Craven walked into the room and looked surprised. He saw that Colin was feeling well and he left quickly.
chapter 8
Dickon came to the house every day and the three children made plans. Then, one sunny morning they were ready to take Colin outside. First, he called the servants to talk to them. “I am going out this afternoon with Dickon and Mary. Nobody will come with us and I don’t want anybody in the gardens. Is that clear?” he asked and the servants agreed. At 2 o’clock they carried Colin downstairs and put him in his wheelchair. Then Dickon pushed the chair through the empty gardens and Mary walked beside them. They stopped at the tall wall.
“Is this it?” asked Colin “Where is the door?” “It’s behind those branches,” answered Mary. “Now, close your eyes.” Colin opened his eyes inside the garden. “Oh!” he laughed. “I can feel the magic here. I feel strong.” He looked at everything in the garden and asked lots of questions. “Look there! A big branch has broken off that tree.” “Well, it’s very old,” said Dickon and looked at Mary. Colin didn’t know about his mother’s fall. “Oh, there’s my friend the robin!” she shouted suddenly and pointed to the bird. “Where, where?” he asked and forgot about the old tree. “Oh, I want to stay here all day,” he said. “Let’s have a picnic. You can get food from the house.”
Dickon went back for a picnic basket and the children sat on the grass and ate. They were laughing and having fun when Colin pointed at the wall. “Who is that man?” They turned round quickly. Ben Weatherstaff was standing on top of a ladder with an angry face. “You bad, little girl!” he shouted. “How did you get in there?” Mary was frightened. “The… robin showed me the way,” she said. Colin was angry. “Do you know me, old man?” he asked. Ben looked at the boy in the wheelchair. “You’re the sick child, aren’t you?” “I am not sick!” Colin answered angrily. “Look at me!” Colin took Dickon’s arm and stood up from the wheelchair. Ben began to cry. “Oh, my boy! My boy!” he could only say. “Listen to me,” said Colin. “I am your master. This is my garden and we will come here every day. You must keep our secret. You must not tell anyone. Now, climb down that ladder and come here.” He turned to Dickon. “Help me walk to that tree, please.” Ben came through the door. “Look at me! You see, I can walk,” said Colin. “Why were you on that ladder?” “I worked in this garden,” began Ben. “I worked for your mother. She loved it and I loved it too. When she died, I decided to look after her garden.” said the old gardener. “Every spring I climbed over the wall and did some work. Nobody knew.” “Then you can keep secrets, Ben Weatherstaff. That’s good. You must not tell anyone about this,” ordered Colin. “Yes sir, this is your garden now,” said Ben. “Would you like to plant a flower?” he asked. “Oh yes,” smiled Colin. He sat on the ground and made a hole with Dickon’s help. Ben brought a rose and Colin planted his first flower.
At the end of a wonderful day Colin was back in the house. Doctor Craven was waiting for him and he looked worried. “You were outside for a long time, Colin. Are you tired?” “No, I’m not,” answered the boy. “I feel great! Tomorrow I will go out in the morning and the afternoon.” “That’s not a very good idea, I’m afraid. I am your doctor and I want you to listen,” said his uncle. “You can’t stop me!” said the child. “I can do anything I want. Now go away!” The doctor left and Mary looked at Colin. “I am a little sorry for your uncle.” “Because he was wrong and I’m not going to die?” asked Colin. “No, not that,” she went on. “It’s you; you aren’t nice to him.” “I’m not nice?” he asked. “No, you’re bossy and rude,” she answered. “I was the same and nobody liked me, but I changed. I made friends and then I found the garden.” “There is magic in that garden,” he smiled. “If I go there every day, I will change too.” Each morning Dickon and Mary took Colin to the secret garden. One day, Colin stood in front of Ben and the children and said, “I am going to try an experiment and I want your help. There is magic in this garden and I’m going to use this magic to get better.” “How?” asked Mary. “I’m going to get stronger in here. I will learn to walk and run like other boys. Then, I can surprise my father when he comes back. Will you help me?” “Aye-aye, sir!” said Ben Weatherstaff and the children repeated. “Aye-aye!” Master Colin’s plan was good but it wasn’t easy to keep it secret. “You are eating all your food and there is colour in your face,”
Doctor Craven told him. “We must write and tell your father the good news.” “No... don’t do that!” shouted the boy. “I’m not ready. I mean... I may get ill again; in fact, I feel hot now and my back hurts... ahhh!” “Alright,” said the doctor. “Calm down; I won’t write to your father yet.” Colin was worried. “Dr Craven will spoil the surprise,” he told Mary. “Why don’t you cry and shout at night again?” said Mary. “I can’t,” he told her. “I don’t wake up now and I’m not frightened. Maybe I could stop eating but I’m always hungry.” Dickon told his mother about Colin’s plan and she decided to help them. The next day, she sent fresh milk and bread to the hungry boy. “Oh, Dickon! Thank you. Your mother is so kind and clever,” he said. “She is,” said Dickon. And then he added, “You must get stronger. I know the strongest man in Yorkshire. He does special exercises and I can show you.” Every day in the garden the three children did the exercises. Colin quickly began walking and running. He was changing; the thin, sick little boy was becoming happy and beautiful. One evening in Colin’s room, Mary looked at a painting of his mother on the wall. “You look very much like your mother now,” she told him. “Maybe that will make my father happy,” he said quietly
chapter 10
“Mary! Dickon!” shouted Colin one summer morning. “Do you remember my first day in this garden?” “Yes, we do,” they answered. “Now look at me! I’m well, I’m really better!” he said happily. “I want to shout ‘thank you’!”
Suddenly, the door opened slowly and a woman walked into the garden. She had kind eyes and a smiling face. “Who is that?” asked Colin. “It’s mother!” shouted Dickon and ran to her. She smiled at the three children. “Colin my dear boy, you look just like your mother. And you, Miss Mary; you look very pretty.” “It’s the magic in the garden…” Colin said. “Do you believe in magic, Mrs Sowerby?” “Yes, I do,” she said. “It has different names but if you believe, you can do anything, Colin.” Susan had a big basket of food with her. They all sat down and ate and talked. “You must visit our house on the moor,” she told Colin and Mary. “You must meet the rest of the children.” Colin looked at her with love and said, “You are so nice – like a mother.” She hugged him and smiled. “Your mother is here in this garden, my boy; she’s always watching you.” All that time, Mr Archibald Craven was far away, in Italy. For the last few days, he kept thinking about his home and his son back in England. Then, one night, he had a strange dream. “Archie! Archie!” he heard his wife’s voice. “Lilias? Where are you?” he asked. “In my garden! Come and find me!” she answered. The next morning a letter arrived for him from England. He quickly opened it.
“First the dream and now this letter,” he thought. “I must go back. Yes, I will go back at once.” “I was never a good father; I couldn’t even look at my son. Is it too late now? Ten years is a long time,” he kept thinking on the journey home. When he arrived at Misselthwaite, he asked Mrs Medlock, “How is Master Colin? Where is he?” “He’s outside, sir; he’s always in the gardens with Miss Mary and Dickon,” she said. “The servants and gardeners have orders not to go near them.” Mr Craven quickly went to the garden. Outside the door of the locked garden, he heard voices of children laughing. He stood and listened, when suddenly the door opened and a tall, handsome boy ran out. He had huge grey eyes. When the boy saw Mr Craven, he stopped in surprise. “What? Who?” asked the man. “Father!” said the boy. “It’s me, Colin! Can you believe it?” “Colin? ... In the garden!” said Mr Craven. “Yes father! It was the garden and Mary and Dickon and the animals and the magic...!” said Colin. “I am well now! Are you happy?” Mr Craven couldn’t speak. He looked at his strong, handsome son and put his hands on the boy’s shoulders. “Take me into the garden son and tell me everything,” he said. Later that day, Mrs Medlock looked out the window. Master Colin, strong and happy, was walking towards the house and next to him was his father. Dickon and Mary followed close behind. Colin turned and looked at them. “It doesn’t need to be a secret garden anymore,” he said. “But it will always be our favourite place,” he added and they all smiled.
1. Mary is an only child. Do you have any brothers or sisters or are
you an only child? What are the advantages/disadvantages of having
brothers/sisters?
2. Do a lot of people have servants today? Is it good for children to
have other people helping them or should they learn to do things
themselves?
3. Mary had to move house and leave India. How do you think
you would feel if this happened to you? Would you like to live in
another country? Which one? Why?
4. Why do you think that Mary cannot open locked doors or play in
the corridors at Misselthwaite Manor?
1. Both Mary and Dickon became friends with animals. Do you like
animals? Which is your favourite animal? Why?
2. Mary now lives far away from the city. Would you like to live in a
place like that? Why/Why not?
3. Do you think that Mary will find the key to the secret garden?
4. What do you think the strange noise is?
1. What do you believe Dickon will think of Mary? Why doesn’t Mary
think he would like her?
2. Martha gave Mary a surprise present. Do you like to get surprise
presents?
3. Do children play with skipping ropes nowadays? What games do
you like to play with your friends?
4. Mary told Martha that she wanted to buy a spade. What do you
think she is going to do with the spade? Do you like working in a
garden?
1. Dickon plays music to the animals with a wooden pipe. Do you like
music? What kind of music? Do you have music lessons at school?
2. Mary is happy when her uncle gives her a garden. Would you like to
have a garden? Do you think it is a good idea for Mary?
3. Mary doesn’t want to have a teacher yet. Do you like school? What
is your favourite subject? Why?
4. Dickon put a note on a tree for Mary. Where do you think Dickon
went? Do you think he will come back?
1. Mary woke up because there was a storm. What kind of things
wakes you up during the night?
2. Mary decided to find out about the noise. Would you do the same?
Why/Why not? What things frighten you?
3. At first, Colin thought that Mary was a ghost. Do you believe in
ghosts? Why/Why not?
4. Colin is ill and cannot walk. How do you think he feels? Have you
ever had to stay in bed for a long time?
1. Mary couldn’t go to the garden all week because of the rain. What
kind of weather do you like? Why? What do you do at home when
you must stay inside?
2. Colin was angry with Mary and threw his pillow at her. How do you
react when you are angry about something?
3. Mary lets go of her anger and goes to help Colin in the middle of
the night. Do you think that friends are important? Why?
4. Do you think that Mary will tell Colin about the secret garden?
What would you do in her place?
1. Colin dreamed about the garden. Do you usually remember your
dreams? Describe a dream you recently had or liked.
2. Mary and Dickon feel sorry for Colin. They are kind and want to
help him. Do you think people help each other nowadays? When
was the last time you helped a friend or someone else?
3. ‘Children need other children,’ said Susan Sowerby and Mrs
Medlock agreed. Do you also agree with this? Why/Why not? What
other things or people does a child need?
4. By the end of Chapter 7, Colin feels much better. Do you think he
will get out of bed and visit the secret garden?
1. The children decide to have a picnic. Do you like picnics? Why/Why
not? What kind of food do people eat on picnics?
2. Colin goes outside and into the secret garden in a wheelchair. How
do you think he feels when he walks to the tree? How can we help
people in wheelchairs?
3. Colin wants no one to know about the garden. Why do you think he
wants this?
4. Do you think that Ben Weatherstaff will keep his secret? Why/Why not?
1. Colin believes that the garden will change him into a better person.
Do you believe that there is magic in the garden? Do you believe that
Colin will change? How?
2. Colin wants to get stronger and surprise his father. Do you like
surprising your parents? Are surprises always good?
3. Colin decides to stop eating so that Doctor Craven doesn’t spoil his
surprise to his father. Do you think this is a good idea? Why/Why not?
4. How do you think Colin’s father will react when he sees him happy
and healthy?
1. Peter missed the company of a boy. Do you prefer to hang out with
friends of the same gender as you, or you don’t mind?
2. The old gentleman helps the family once again. What do you think was
the most important thing he did for them? Why do you think so?
3. How do you think Bobbie felt when she saw her Father? How would
you feel in her place?
4. What do you think things will be like for the family in the future now
that Father has returned home?