THE SECRET GARDEN Stage 3 'We're ali old Ben W Mary. 'W look at an disagreea !oor Ma "ants he her. Her # and she is $ndia to l ho&se in ig old ol d h o h&ndred r of th e( lo)ked. M or o r ed* ed * an is nothing
no one to t Ben We gardener. B&t then the se)ret i s l o)ke d the key is een ins in s garden f e+)e#t the o%er the "at)hes t "onders is.. . And then strange )r so(e"her so&nds ) r y i n g . . . . . ,ran)es "as orn in
-/0* ,r si+teen sh the 1SA* to Engla "riter all (any oo Garden is story.
23,2R D B224W2RM S
Series Editor: Jennifer Bassett
23,2RD B224W2RMS ,or a f&ll list of titles in all the 2+ford Book"or(s series* #lease #lea se refer to the Oxford English )atalog&e. Titles a%ailale in)l&de5
Green Series
e son *Anne of Green Gales 6. M. Montgomer y
M
Se )r ar et G ;Ali)e's Ad%ent&res in Wonderland Lewis arroll The Children of the Ne" ,orest a$tain Marryat ,i%e Children and $t Edith %es&it ;H&)kleerry ,inn Mar' (wain
d en
Stage 2 7899 head"ords: The <&ngle Book !"dyard #i$ling
; R o i n s o n C r & s o e ) a n i e l ) e f o e A S tr a n
ger at Green 4no" e L"y M. Bosto n To o 2ld to Ro)k and Roll Jan Mar' 7short stories:
n ,ran)es B Hodgso ;The Call of the Wild Ja' London A Christ(as Carol harles )i'ens The Cro"n of =iolet Geoffrey (rease 4idna##ed !o&ert Lo"is Ste+enson Moondial ,elen resswell 2n the Edge Gillian ross
>Bla)k Bea&ty -nna Sewell
S t a g e ? 7 9 9 9 h e a d " o r d s : @The !risoner of enda -nthony ,o$e ;The Rail"ay Children Edith %es&it
&rn ett ;The Se)ret Garden ranes ,odgson B"rnett Thro&gh the 6ooking Glass Lewis arroll 'Wh o Sir* Me Sir' #.M./eyton The Wind in the Willo"s #enneth Grahame S t a g e 0 7 0 9
9 head"ords
a r e
T h e S i l % e r S " o r d 0 a n S e r r a i l l i e r
r e t o l d
W e s t
y C l
The Eagle of the Ninth l !osemary S"tliff o ; G&lli%er's t t Tra%els Jonathan 6 Swift ; 6ittle Wo(e n Lo"isa May
A Tale of T" o Cities harle s )i'en s ;Treas &re $sland
!o &er t Lo "is Ste +e ns on We Did n't Me a n to Go to Sea -rt h"r !an som e Th e Wh is# eri ng 4ni ght s 1e nel o$e Li+ ely
B
0
l " s t r a t e d & y J e n n y B r a * ' l e y
S"ggested lilies for yo"nger readers from the main Boo'worms list:
S t a g e 7 0 9 9 h e a d " o r d s : T h e E l e # h a n t
M a n ( i m / i a r y ; T h e ! h a n t o ( o f t h e 2 # e r a J e
n n i f e r B a s s e t t The 1nder the Moon !owena -'inyemi Monk ey's Stage / 7899 head"ord s: !a" Earrings fro( ,rankf&rt !eg right . *=oodoo $sland Mihael )"'worth . Jao& s
;Dead Man's $sland John Esott *Dra) &la Bram Sto'er Che(i)al Se)ret (im /iary >Skya)k (im /iary
Stage ? 7-999 head"or ds: *assettes a+aila&le for these titles.
The Star o o ,arry Gil&ert Wyatt's H&rri)ane )esmond Bagley
2
2+ford 1ni%ersit y !ress G r e a t
d 9 3 / F D ! 2 + f o r d
C l a r e n d o n S t r e e t * 2 + f o r
N e " ' o r k Athens A&)kland Bangkok Bogota B&enos Aires Cal)&tta Ca#e To"n Chennai Dares Salaa( Delhi ,loren)e Hong 4ong $stan&l 4ara)hi 4&ala 6&(#&r
Madri d Melo &rne Me+i)o City M&( ai Nairo i !aris Sao !a&lo Singa# ore Tai#ei Tokyo Toront o Warsa "
e tra de ( ar ks of 2 +f or d 1 ni %e rsi ty !r es s
and asso)i ated )o(#a nies in Berlin $adan 23,2 RD and 23,2 RD ENG6 $SH
a r
$ S B N 9 0 / / 8 /
Thi s si( #lifi ed edit ion 2+f ord 1ni %ers ity !res s 44 3 ,irst #&lished -0 Se%enth i(#ressi on - No &na& thori ed #hot o)o# ying A l l
rights reser%ed. No #art of this #&li)ation (ay e re#rod&)ed* stored in a retrie%al syste(* or trans(itted* in any for( or y any (eans* ele)troni)* (e)hani)al* #hoto)o#ying* re)ording or other"ise* "itho&t the #rior "ritten #er(ission of 2+ford 1ni%ersity !ress* This ook is sold s&e)t to the )ondition that it shall not* y "ay of trade or other"ise* e lent* resold* hired o&t* or other"ise )ir)&lated "itho&t the #&lisher's #rior )onsent
in any for( of inding or )o%er other than that in "hi)h it is #&lished and "itho&t a si(ilar )ondition in)l&ding this )ondition eing i(#osed on the s&seI&e nt #&r)haser . T y # e s e t y W y
%er n Ty #e set tin g 6t d* Bri sto l !ri nte d in En gla nd y Cl ay s 6t d* St $%e s #l)
6ittle Miss Mary o o d y s e e ( e d t o ) a r e a
o&t Mary. She "as orn in $ndia* "here her father "as a British offi)ial. He "as &sy "ith his "ork* and her (other* "ho "as %ery ea&tif&l* s#ent all her ti(e going to #arties. So an $ndian
"o( an* 4a(a la* "as #aid to take )are of the little girl. Mary "as not a #retty )hild. She had a thin angry
fa)e and thin yello" hair. She "as al"ays gi%ing orders to 4a(ala* "h o had to oey. Mary ne%er tho&ght of other #eo#le* &t only of herself. $n fa)t* she "as a %ery selfish* disagreeale * ad te(#ered
little girl. 2n e %ery hot (orn ing* "hen she "as ao&t nine years old* she "oke &# and sa" that inste
ad of 4a(ala there "as a different $ndian ser%ant y her ed.
Mary saw that there was a different
0 n d i a
n ser+ant &y her &ed.
-
(he Seret Garden
yo"
she she )an't )o(e' So(ethi ng strange
she
"as ha##ening
'What are doing here' asked )rossly. 'G o And
Mary* she
a"ay send
4a(ala
to
(e
at
on)e' The "o(an looked afraid. '$'( sorry* Miss
that day. So(e of the ho&se ser%ants "ere (issing and e%eryody looked frightened. B&t noody
told Mary anything*
large red flo"ers to
and 4a(ala
#&sh into the gro&nd.
still did not )o(e. So at
All the ti(e she "as
last Mary "ent o&t
saying
into the garden* and #layed y herself &nder tree.
a She
#retended she "as
)rossly to herself* '$ hate 4a(ala $'ll hit her "hen she )o(es a)k'
flo"er garden*
<&st then she sa" her (other
and #i)ked
)o(ing
(aking her o" n
into the garden* "ith yo&ng
a
English(a n. They did not the
noti)e )hild*
'=ery ad*' he ans"ere d serio&sly . '!eo#le are dying like flies. $t's
"ho listened to their )on%ersatio
dangero&s
n.
go to the '$t's %ery
to stay in this to"n. o& sho&ld hills*
ad* is it'
"here
her (other
there's no
asked
disease.' '2h * $ kno"' she )ried. 'We
the
yo&ng (an in "orried %oi)e.
a
(&st lea%e soon'
ser%ants
S&ddenl y
they
heard lo&d )ries )o(ing fro(
the
ser%ants' roo(s*
at
the side of the ho&se. 'What's ha##en ed' )ried Mary's (other "ildly* '$ think one of yo&r
has
&st
died.
o&
didn't
tell
(e
the
disease
is
here5
in
yo&r ho&se' '$ didn't kno"' she s)rea(e d. 'J&i)k* )o(e "ith (e' 2
Little Miss Mary
6 7 o " d i d n 6 t t e l l m e t h e d i s e a s e
i s h e r e * i n y o " r h o " s e 8 6
And together they ran into the ho&se.
No Mary
"
dying. Mary's
$n
&nderstood "hat "as
ho&se "as
"rong. The terrile
4a(ala "ho had
disease had already
&st died. 6ater that
killed (any #eo#le in the to"n* and in all
day three (ore ser%ants died there.
the ho&ses #eo#le "ere
it
3
(he Seret Garden
All thro&gh the night and the ne+t day #eo#le ran in and o&t of the ho&se* sho&ting and )rying. Nood y tho&ght of Mary. She hid in her edroo(* frightened y the
strange and terrile so&nds that she heard aro&nd her. So(eti(es she )ried and so(eti(es she sle#t. When she "oke the ne+t day* the ho&se "as silent. '!erha#s the disease has she
gone*'
tho&ght* 'and
%oi)es in the hall.
e%eryody is "ell
'Ho " sad' said one. 'That ea&tif&l "o(an '
again. "onder
$
"ho "ill take )are of (e instead of 4a(ala Why doesn't so(eone ring (e so(e food $t's strange the ho&se is so I&iet.' B&t &st then she heard (en's
'There "as a )hild too* "asn't there' said the other. 'Altho&gh none of &s e%er sa" her.' Mary "as
standing in the
(iddle
of her roo( "hen
they
o#ened the door a fe" (in&tes later.
The
t"o
(en
&(#ed a)k
in
s&r#rise. 'My na(e is Mary 6enno+*' she said )rossly. '$ "as aslee# "hen e%eryone "as ill* and
no" $'( h&ngry.' '$t's the )hild* the one noody e%er sa"' said the older (an to the other. 'They'%e all forgotten her' 6hy "as
$
forgotten' asked Mary angrily. 6hy noody
has
)o(e
to
take )are of (e' The yo&nger (an looked at her %ery sadly. '!oor )hild' he said. 'o& see* there's noody left ali%e in the ho&se. So noody an )o(e.' $n
this
strange and s&dden "ay Mary learnt
that oth her (other and father
her had
died. fe"
The
ser%ants "ho had 4
Little Miss Mary
not died had r&n a"ay in the night. No
the( at all. She only tho&ght herself*
of as
she had al"ays done. 'Where
one had re(e(ere d little Miss Mary. She
"ill $ li%e'
"as alone.
stay
all
"ondered. '$ ho#e $'ll "ith
#eo#le
Be)a&se she ne%er
she
had
kno"n her #arents "ell* she did not (iss
"ho'll
let
(e do "hat $ "ant.' At first she "as taken to an English
fa(ily "ho had kno"n
her
#arents. She hated their &ntidy ho&se and noisy )hildren*
garden* "hen one of the )hildren* Basil* offered
to
hel#.
herself in the garden.
'Go a"ay' )ried Mary. '$ don't "ant yo&r hel#'
2ne day she
,or
"as #laying
(o(ent
her fa%o&rite
Basil
ga(e*
angry*
#retending to (ake a
then
he
egan
to
and #referred #laying y
a
looked and
la&gh.
'o&'re going ho(e soon*' said Basil. 'And "e're all %ery
He
dan)ed ro&nd
and
ro&nd Mary*
and
sang
a
f&nny little song ao&t Miss Mary and
her
st&#id flo"ers. This
(ade
Mary
%ery
)ross indeed. No one
had
e%er la&ghed
at
her
so
&nkindly.
# l e a s e d y o & ' r e l e
a % i n g '
'England* of )o&rse o&'re going
to
li%e "ith yo&r &n)le* '$'( #leased too* ' re#lied Mary. 'B&t "here's ho(e' 'o&'re st&#id if yo& don't kno" that' la&ghed Basil.
Mr Ar)hiald Cra%en.' '$'%e ne%er heard of hi(*' said Mary )oldly. 'B&t $ kno" ao&t hi( e)a&se $ heard
,ather and
'He li%es in a ig lonely old
Mother talking*' said Basil.
K (he Seret Garden
'$
don't
elie%e yo&' )ried Mary.
ho&se* and has no friends* e)a&se he's so ad te(#ered. He's got a )rooked a)k* and he's horrid'
B&t
the
ne+t
day Basil's #arents e+#lained that
she
"as
going
to li%e "ith her &n)le in orkshire* in
the
north England. Mary
of
looked
o&rney*
ored
and
she
"as
)ross
and
(et
in
said
6ondon y
nothing.
Mr Cra%en's ho&sekee# er*
Mr s
Medlo)k. Together they tra%elled north
y
train.
Mrs
Medlo)k "as a large "o(an* "ith a %ery After the long
sea
red
fa)e
and
right
la)k eyes.
Mary
did
not
like
her*
&t
that
"as
not
F
s&r#rising* e)a&se she did
'B&t #erha#s $ sho&ld talk to her.'
not
&s&ally like #eo#le. Mr s Medlo)k did not like Mary either. 'What a disagree ale )hild' tho&ght the ho&seke e#er.
Little Miss Mary
(ost
of
the(
are
sh&t
and
lo)ked. '$
)an
There's
tell yo& a
ig
it
ro&nd
ao&t
a
#ark the
yo&r &n)le
ho&se* and
if yo& like*'
all kinds of
she
gardens.
said
alo&d. 'He
Well* "hat
li%es in a
do
ig
old
think
a
that'
ho&se* long
"ay
fro( any"here. There
are
nearly
a
h&ndred roo(s* &t
yo& of
'Nothing *' re#lied Mary. '$t doesn't (atter to (e.' Mr Medlo)k
s
la&ghed.
he
'o&'re hard
"as
a
ne%er
little
really
girl Well*
ha##y &ntil
if
he
yo"
don't )are* Mr Cra%en doesn't either.
He
ne%er s#ends ti(e
on
anyone. He's got a )rooked a)k*
yo&
see*
and
altho&gh he's al"ays een
ri)h*
(arried.' 'Married ' re#eated Mary in s&r#rise. 'es* he (arried
a
s"eet* #retty girl* and lo%ed
he her
dee#ly. So "hen
she
diedL' '2h Did she
die' asked Mary* intereste d.
his
'es* she
told.'
did.
And
no"
he
"ay
and
do
"hat yo&'re Mary stared
o&t
doesn't
of the train
)are ao&t
"indo" at
anyody.
the
$f he's at
sky and the
ho(e*
he
rain.
She
stays in his
"as
not
roo(
looking
and
grey
sees
for"ard to
noody.
life at her
He "on' t
&n)le's
"ant
ho&se. The train o&rney
to
see yo"5 so yo&
(&st
stay o&t of
lasted all day* and it "as dark "hen
raining hea%ily. After "hile Mary
they arri%ed
a
at
egan
to
hear
a
the
strange*
station.
"ild noise.
Then there
She looked
"as a long
o&t of the
dri%e
"indo"*
to
get to the
&t
ho&se.
$t
see
"as
a
nothing
)o&ld
)old*
e+)e#t the
"indy
darkness.
night* and it
"as
7
(he Seret Garden
'What's that noise' she asked Mrs Medlo)k. '$t's $t's not the sea* is it' 'No * that's the (oor. $t's the so&nd the "ind (akes* lo"ing a)ross the (oor.'
60t6 s the so" nd the wi nd ma 'es 5 &lo wi ng ar oss the mo or.6
Mary in 7or'shire
'What is a (oor' '$t's &st (iles and (iles of "ild land* "ith no trees or ho&ses. o&r &n)le's ho&se is right on the edge of the (oor.'
Mary listened to the strange* frightenin g so&nd. '$ don't like it*' she tho&ght. '$ don't like it.' She looked (ore disagreea le tha n e%er.
2
Mary in orks hire
hey arri%ed at a %ery large old ho&se. $t looked dark and &nfriendly fro( the o&tside. $nside* Mary looked aro&nd the ig shado"y hall* and felt %ery s(all and lost. They "ent
straight &#stairs. Mary "as sho"n to a roo( "here there "as a "ar( fire and food on the tale. 'This is yo&r roo(*' said Mrs Medlo)k. 'G o to ed "hen yo&'%e had so(e s&##er. And
re(e(er * yo& (&st stay yo&r
in
roo( Mr Cra%en doesn't "ant yo& to "ander all o%er the ho&se' When Mary "oke &# the ne+t (orning* she sa" a yo&ng ser%ant girl
T
)leaning the
roo( at all. ,ro(
fire#la)e. The roo(
the "indo"
see(ed dark and
she )o&ld not see
rather strange*
any trees or ho&ses*
"ith #i)t&res of dogs and
only "ild land* "hi)h looked
horses and ladies
like kind
on the "alls. $t
#&r#le sea.
"as not a )hild's
a of
(he Seret Garden
'Wh o are yo&' she asked the ser%ant )oldly. 'Martha* (iss*' ans"ere d the girl "ith a s(ile. 'And "hat's that o&tside
' Mary )ontin&e d. 'That's the (oor* ' s(iled Martha . 'D o yo& like it' 'No* ' re#lied Mary i((edia tely. '$ hate it.' 'That's e)a&se yo& don't kno" it. o& will li'e it. $ lo%e it. $t's
lo%ely s#ring
in and
'o&'re strange
a
s&((er "hen there
ser%ant*' she said. '$n
are flo"ers. $t al"ays
$ndia don't
s(ells s"eet.
so The
)on%ersation s "ith
air's so fresh* and the irds sing so
ser%ants. We gi%e orders* and they oey*
ea&tif&lly* $ ne%er
and that.'
"ant lea%e
to the
(oor.' Mary "as feeling %ery ad te(#ered.
"e ha%e
that's
Marth a did not see( to (ind Mary' s )rossness .
'$ kno" $ talk to o (&)h' she la&ghed. 'Are yo& going to e my ser%ant ' asked Mary. 'Well* not really. $ "ork for Mr s Medlo)k. $'( to
going )lean
yo&r roo( and ring yo& yo&r food* &t yo& "on' t
need ser%ant
a
e+)e#t those
for
things.' 'B&t "ho's going to dress (e' Martha sto##ed )leaning* and stared at Mary. 'Tha ' )anna' dress thysen' she asked* sho)ked.
'Wha t do yo& (ean $ don't &ndersta nd yo&r lang&age ' '2h *
$
forgot. We all s#eak the orkshire diale)t here* &t of
yo&r o"n )lothes' '2f )o&rse not My ser%ant al"ays &sed to dress (e.' 'Well $ think yo& sho&ld learn to dress yo&rself. My (other
)o&rse yo& don't &nderstand the... $
al"ays says #eo#le
(eant to say* )an't yo& #&t on
)are of
sho&ld e ale to take
-9
Mary in 7or'shi re
the(sel%es* e%en if they're ri)h and i(#ortant.' 6ittle Miss Mary "as f&rio&s "ith Martha. '$t's different in $ndia "here )o(e
$
fro( o&
and
don't kno
lonely.
"
She thre"
anything
herself
ao&t
do"n
$ndia*
or
the
ao&t
and
ser%ants*
started
or
)rying
ao&t
anything o&
..
yo&...
"ildly. . '
She )o&ld not e+#lain "hat
she
(eant. S&ddenly she
felt
%ery )onf&sed
on ed
M a rt h a st o $ $ e d l e a ni n g5 a n d st ar e d at
M a r y. --
(he Seret Garden
She so&nded kind
and
friendly* and 'No" * no"* don' t )ry like that*' Marth a said gently. '$'( %ery sorry. o&'re right* $ don't kno" anything ao&t anything. !lease sto# )rying* (iss.'
Mary
egan
to
feel
etter
and
soon
sto##ed )rying. Marth
a
"ent
on
talking
as
she finished her )leaning* &t
Mary
looked o&t of
the
"indo" in a
ored
"ay*
and
#retended not
to
listen. '$'%e got ele%en rothers and sisters* yo& kno"* (iss. There's not (&)h (oney in o&r ho&se. And they all eat so (&)h food Mothe r says it's the good fresh air on the
( oo r th at (akes the( so h&ngry. My rother Di)kon* he's al"ays o&t on the (oor. He's t"el%e* and he's got a horse "hi)h he rides so(eti(es. ' 'Where did he get it' asked Mary. She
had al"ays "anted an ani(al of her o"n* and so she egan to feel a little interest in Di)kon. '2h * it's a "ild horse* &t he's a kind oy* and ani(als like hi(* yo& see. No " yo& (&st ha%e yo&r reakfast* (iss. Here
it is on the tale.' '$ don't "an t it*' said Mary. '$'( not h&ngry.' 'What' )ried Martha. 'My little rothers and sisters "o&ld eat all this in fi%e (in&tes' 'Why' asked Mary )oldly.
'Be)a&se they don' t get eno&gh to eat* that's "hy* and they're al"ays h&ngry. o&'re %ery l&)ky to ha%e the food* (iss.' Mary said nothing* &t she drank so(e tea and ate a little read. 'No " #&t a )oat on
and r&n o&tside to #lay*' said -/
Mary in 7or'sh ire
t w a n t i t 5 6 s a i d M a r y .
8 d o n 6
6 0 6 m n o t
h " n g r y . 6
Martha . '$t'll do yo& good to e in the fresh air.' Mary looked o&t of the "indo" at the )old grey sky. 'Why sho&ld $ go o&t on a day like this' she asked. 'Well* there's
nothing to #lay "ith indoors* is there' Mary realied Martha "as right. 'B&t "ho "ill go "ith (e' she said. Marth stared
a at
her. 'Noody. o&'ll
ha%e
to learn to
#lay
y
Noody's
yo&rself.
een in it for
Di)kon #lays
ten years. $t
y hi(self on
"as
the
(oors
Cra%en's
for
ho&rs*
garden* and
Mrs
"ith the "ild
"hen
she
irds*
died
so
the
and shee#*
s&ddenly*
and the other
Mr
ani(als.' She
lo)ked
looked a"ay
and
for
the key 2h
a
(o(ent. '!erha#s
Cra%en it &ried
* $ (&st go* $
$
)an hear
sho&ldn't tell
Mrs
yo& this* &t
Medlo)k's
&t one of
ell
the
for (e.'
"alled
gardens lo)ked
is &#.
ringing
-?
(he Seret Garden
Mary "ent do"nstairs and "andered thro&gh the great e(#ty gardens. Many of the fr&it and %egetale gardens had "alls ro&nd the(* &t there "ere no lo)ked doors. She
sa" an old (an digging in one of the %egetale gardens* &t he looked )ross and &nfriendly* so she "alked on. 'Ho" &gly it all looks in "inter' she tho&ght. 'B&t "hat a (ystery the lo)ked garden is Why did (y &n)le &ry
the key $f he lo%ed his "ife* "hy did he hate her garden !erha#s $'ll ne%er kno". $ don't s&##ose $'ll like hi( if $ e%er (eet hi(. And he "on't like (e* so $ "on't e ale to ask hi(.' <&st then she noti)ed a roin singing to
her fro( a tree on the other side of a "all. '$ think that tree's in the se)ret garden' she told herself. 'There's an e+tra "all here* and there's no "ay in.' She "ent a)k to "here the gardener "as digging* and s#oke to
hi(. At first
notied a ro&in. to the roin* and the
he ans"ered in a %ery ad te(#ere d "ay* &t
14
s&ddenly the roin fle" do"n nea r the(* (a n ega He looke differen t and Mar ho" (&) #eo#le they s(iled gardener J"st then she
Mary in 7or'sh ire
#rett y little ird ho## ed on the gro& nd near the( . 'He's (y friend* he is*' said the old (an. 'There aren't any other roins
in the garden* so he's a it lonely.' He s#oke in strong orkshire diale)t* so Mary had to listen )aref&lly to &nderstand hi(. She looked %ery hard at the roin. '$'( lonely too*' she said. She had not
realied this efore. 'What's yo&r na(e' she asked the gardener. 'Ben Weatherstaff. $'( lonely (yself. The roin's (y only friend* yo& see.' '$ ha%en't got any friends at all*' said Mary. orkshire #eo#le
al"ays say they "hat are thinking* and old Ben "as a orkshire (oor (an. 'We're alike* yo& and (e*' he told Mary. 'We're not #retty to look at* and "e're oth %ery disagreeale .' Noody had e%er said this to Mary
efore. 'A( $ really as &gly and disagreeale as Ben' she "ondered. S&ddenly the roin fle" to a tree near Mary and started singing to her. Ben la&ghed lo&dly. 'Well' he said. 'He "ants to e yo&r friend' '2h Wo&ld yo&
#lease e (y friend' she "his#ered to the roin. She s#oke in a soft* I&iet %oi)e and old Ben looked at her in s&r#rise. 'o& said that really ni)ely' he said. 'o& so&nd like Di)kon* "hen he talks to ani(als on the (oor.' 'Do yo& kno" Di)kon'
asked Mary. B&t &st then the roin fle" a"ay. '2h look* he's flo"n into the garden "ith no door !lease* Ben* ho" )an $ get into it' -K
(he Seret Garden
get on "ith (y
"ork.'
And
he
"alked a"ay.
Ben
did not e%en
sto##ed s(iling
and
#i)ked
&#
his
He
s#ade.
'o&
)an't*
and
that's
that. $t's not yo&r &siness. Noody )an find
the
door.
R&n
a"ay
and
#lay*
"ill
yo& $ (&st
say goodye.
e d s m i l i n g a n d $ i ' e d B e n s t o $ $
" $ h i s s $ a
$n
d e .
He "as on
the
singing
ne+t
fe"
days
Mary
to
#
of
a
"all* her.
to
'Good
(orning
s#ent al(ost
$sn't
this
all her ti(e
f&n
Co(e
in
this
"ay'
the
gardens. The
he see(ed to
fresh
air
say*
fro(
the
ho##ed
(oor
(ade
as
along
he the
her h&ngry*
"al l Mary
and she "as
egan
e)o(ing
la&gh as she
stronger and
dan)ed
healthier.
along eside
2ne day she
hi(. '$ kno"
noti)ed
the
the
roin again.
to
se)ret
garden's on
the
other
Mary in 7or's hire
side of this "all'
she
tho&ght -F
e+)itedly. 'And the roin li%es there B&t "here's the door' That e%ening she asked Marth a to stay and talk to her eside the fire after s&##er. They )o&ld hear the "ind
lo"ing
Cra%en's
ro&nd the old
fa%o&rite
ho&se* &t
garden*
and
the roo( "as
she and Mr
"ar( and
Cra%en &sed
)o(fortale. Mary only had one idea in her head.
to take )are
'Tell (e ao& t the se)ret garden*' she said. 'Well* right
of
it
the(sel%es. They
s#ent
ho&rs
there*
reading
and
talking. =ery ha##y*
all then*
"ere. &sed
they They the
(iss* &t "e
ran)h of an
aren't
old tree as a
s&##osed
to
seat. B&t one
talk ao&t it*
day "hen she
yo& kno". $t
"as
"as
on
Mrs
sitting the
ran)h*
it
she fell. She
sorry for anyone. <&st then*
"as
%ery
as
adly
h&rt
listening
roke*
and
she "as
and the ne+t
the
day she died.
o&tside*
That's
heard
"hy
to
"ind she
he hates the
another
garden
so
noise* in the
(&)h*
and
"on'
t
let
anyone go in there.' 'Ho " sad' said Mary. '!oor Mr Cra%en' $t "as the first ti(e that she had e%er felt
ho&se. 'Ca n yo& hear a )hild )rying' she asked Mart ha . Ma rth a looked )onf&sed. 'Er no* ' she
re#lied. 'No * $
At
Martha sh&t
think . . . it (&st e the "ind.' B&t at that (o(ent
on)e
the
"ind
le"
o#en
their
door and they heard
the
)rying
%ery
)learly. '$ told yo&' )ried Mary.
the door. '$t "as
the
"ind*'
she
re#eated. B&t she did not s#eak in her
&s&al
nat&ral "ay* and
Mary
did
not
elie%e her. -8
(he Seret Garden
had told her ao&t. She s#ent all (orning
The ne+t
going in
day it "as
and o&t of
%ery rainy*
dark* silent
so Mary did
roo(s*
not go o&t
"hi)h "ere
$nstead she
f&ll of
de)ided to
hea%y
"ander
f&rnit&re
ro&nd the
and old
ho&se*
#i)t&res
looking into
She sa" no
so(e of the
ser%ants at
h&ndred
all* and
roo(s that
"as on her
Mrs
"ay a)k
Medlo)k
to her roo( for l&n)h*
"hen she
in din g the se ret gar de n
heard a )ry. '$t's a it like the )ry that $ heard last night' she tho&ght. <&st then the ho&sekee#er * Mrs Medlo)k* a##eared* "ith her keys in her hand.
'o& didn't hear anything Go a)k to yo&r roo( no". And if yo& don't stay there* $'ll lo)k yo& in' Mary hated Mrs
Medlo)k for this. Th er e was so(eone )rying*
$
kno"
there
"as'
she
said
to
herself. $'ll "ho
'B&t
dis)o%er it
soon' "as
t h e
is She
al(ost
eginning enoy
, i n d i n g
to
herself
in orkshire.
3
s e ) r e t
g a r
d e n
W
hen Mary "ind and
sky "as a ed lo ' a$ $e ar ed .
J" st th en M rs M
'What are yo& doing here' she asked )rossly. '$ didn't kn o "
"hi)h "ay to go* and $ heard so(eone )rying*' ans"ered Mary.
'S#ring'll e
here
soon*'
said
Martha ha##ily. 'o&'ll lo%e
-
the
(oor
then*
"hen
it's
f&ll
of
flo"ers and irds.' 'Co&ld $ get to the (oor' asked Mary. 'o&'%e ne%er
done
(&)h "alking* ha%e yo& $ don't
think
yo&
)o&ld
"alk
the
she
first
arri%ed. B&t
fi%e (iles to
no"*
Mary
o&r
looked
)ottage'
interested
'B&t $'d like to (eet yo&r fa(ily*' Mary said.
and friendly.
Marth
al"ays
girl
ask
Mother*' said Martha .
'She
)an
at
think
of
little
good
#lan.
looked the
a
'$'ll
for
a
a
She's
(o(ent.
sensile and
She
hard"orkin
re(e(ered
g and kind
ho"
disagreeale
yo&'ll
Mary
her.'
een
had "hen
$
kno" like
'$ like Di)kon* altho&gh $'%e ne%er seen hi(.' '$ "onder "hat Di)kon "ill think of yo&' -
(he Seret Garden
'He "on' t like (e*' said Mary* 'N o one does.' 'B&t do yo& like yo&rself That's "hat Mother "o&ld ask.' 'N o * not really. $'%e ne%er tho&ght of that.' 'Well* (&st
$ go
no". $t's (y day off* so $'( going ho(e to hel# Mother "ith the ho&se"ork. Goodye* (iss. See yo& to(orro".' Mary felt lonelier than e%er "hen Martha had gone* so she "ent o&tside. The s&nshine (ade the
gardens look different. And the )hange in the "eather had e%en (ade Ben Weatherstaff easier to talk to. 'Can yo& s(ell s#ring in the air' he asked her. 'Things are gro"ing* dee# do"n in the gro&nd. Soon yo&'ll see little
green shoots )o(ing "at)h the(.' '$
"i
re#lied Mary.
'
* there's roin' T little
ho##ed to
Be
s#ade* ' things gro"ing the gard "here li%es' 'What garden' said Ben* his
te(#ered %oi)e. 'o& kno"* th se)ret garden. Are
th
flo"ers dead there' Sh really "anted kno"
th
ans"er. 'Ask th ro i n* ' Ben 6Soon yo"6ll see little green
)rossly. He's the only one "ho's
shoots oming "$.6 een in there for the last ten years.' 20
i n di n g th e se r et g ar de n
a"ay* thinking. She had eg&n to like
the
gardens* and the
roin*
and Marth a and
Di)kon
and
their
(other. Before
she
)a(e
to
orkshire* Ten "as
years a
ti(e*
long Mary
tho&ght.
She
had een orn ten years ago. She
"alked
she had not liked anyody. She
"as
"alking eside
the
long "all of the
se)ret
garden* "hen
sang to o* to
a
sho" hi( that
(ost
"onderf&l
she "as
thing
friend.
ha##ened.
then
She s&ddenly
sto##ed at a
realied
the
#la)e "here a
"as
dog had d&g a
roin
his <&st he
follo"ing her.
hole
in the
She felt %ery
gro&nd.
#leased
and
Mary looked
e+)ited
y
at the hole*
As
this* and )ried
she
o&t* 'o& like
so(ething
(e*
al(ost &ried
yo&
don't And
$
noti)ed
there. She #&t
like yo& too'
her
As he ho##ed
and #&lled it
along
o&t. $t "as an
eside
her*
she
ho##ed
and
hand
old key.
in
'
e
!
d
e r h a
f o r
#
t
s
e
i
n
t
y
'
e
s
a
e e n & r i
r s * ' s h e "
h
e
i
r
s
h
#
a
e
#
r
s
e d
i t
t
'
o
s
h
t
e
h
r
e
s e l f . ' !
k e y t o t
h
o
e
o
s e )
k e d
r
a
e
t
t g a r d e n '
i t f o r a l o
S
n
h
g
e t l
i ( e . H o "
d e t o f i
l
n
o
d
% e l y i t
t h e g a r
"
d
o
e
&
n
l
*
a n d s
e d t o
e
i
e
t
"
i
h
n
a t h a d
t h e l a
h
s
a
t
# # e n
t e n
y e a r
n i t
s
a
l
S
l
h
e
y
)
h
o
e
&
r
l
s
d
e
# l a y i
l f * a n d
n o
a s
t
o
h
d
e
y
r
" o
e .
&
S
l
h
d
e
k
#
n
&
o
t
"
t
s
h
h
e
e "
key safely in her #o)ket.
0t was an old 'ey. /-
(he Seret Garde n
the
"hole
"eek's "ashing and aking. And $ told
The ne+t (orning Martha "as a)k at Misselth" aite Manor * and told Mary all ao&t her day "ith her fa(ily. '$
really
enoyed (yself.
$
hel#ed Mother
"ith
the
)hildren ao&t
yo&.
They "anted to
kno
ao&t
" yo&r
ser%ants* and the shi# that ro&ght to
yo&
England*
and e%erything' '$ )an tell yo& so(e (ore for ne+t ti(e*'
offered Mary. 'They'd like to hear ao&t riding on ele#hants and )a(els "o&ldn't they' ' '2h* that "o&ld e kind of yo&* (iss And look* Mother has sent yo& a #resent'
(hey6d l i ' e t o
h e a r a & o " t r i d i n g o n e l e $ h a n t s
a n d a m e l s 5 w o " l d n 6 t t h e y 9 6 22
in di n g th e se r et g a rd e n
'A #resent' re#eated Mary. Ho " )o&ld a fa(ily of fo&rteen
h&ngry #eo#le gi%e anyone a #resent 'Mother (an
"ho
)a(e
to
the
door
to
sell
things.
She
told
(e*
@Martha
*
yo&'%e ro&ght
(e
yo&r #ay* like a
good
girl*
and "e need it all*
&t
$'(
going to &y so(ething for that )hild
lonely at
she
o&ght
one* and here it is'
o&ght it fro( a
Man or* @ and
the
$t "as a ski##ing ro#e. Mary stared at it. 'What is it 'sh e asked. 'Don' t they ha%e ski##ing ro#es in $ndia Well* this is ho" yo& &se it. <&st "at)h (e.' Marth
a
took the ro#e
and
ran
into
the (iddle of the roo(. She )o&nted &# to a h&ndred as she ski##ed. 'That looks lo%ely*' said Mary. 'o&r (other is %ery kin d. Do yo & thi nk $ )o& ld e%e r
ski # lik e tha t' '<&st said
try*'
Martha.
'Mother
says
it'll
(ake
yo&
strong
and
healthy.
Ski#
o&tside
in
the
fresh
air.' Mary #&t her )oat on and took the ski##ing ro#e. As she "as o#ening the door* she
tho&ght of so(ething and t&rned ro&nd. 'Martha* "as
it
yo&r
(oney really. Thank
yo&.'
She
ne%er
thanked #eo#le &s&ally and she did not kno" ho" to do it. So she held
o&t
her
hand* e)a&se she kne" that ad<s
did
that. Martha shook her
hand and la&ghed. 'o&'re a strange )hild*' she said. '6ike an old "o(an No " r&n a"ay and #lay' The ski##ing ro#e "as "onderf&l. Mary )o&nted and /?
(he Seret Garde n
Mary s'i$$ed and
o"nted "ntil her fae was hot and red.
ski##ed* ski##ed and )o&nted* &ntil her fa)e "as hot and red. She "as ha%ing (ore f&n than she had e%er had efore. She ski##ed thro&gh the gardens &ntil she fo&nd Ben Weatherstaff*
"ho "as digging and talking to his roin. She "anted the( oth to see her ski#. 'Well' said Ben. 'o&'re looking fine and healthy today Go on ski##ing. $t's good for yo&.' Mary ski##ed all the "ay to the se)ret garden "all. And there
"as the roin He had follo"ed her Mary "as %ery #leased. 'o& sho"ed (e "here the key "as yesterday*' she la&ghed. '$'%e got it in (y #o)ket. So yo& o&ght to sho" (e the door today' 24
f i n d i n g t h e s e r e t g a r d e n
The roin ho##ed on to an old )li(ing #lant on the "all* and sang his (ost ea&tif&l song. S&ddenly the "ind (ade the #lant (o%e* and Mary sa" so(ething &nder the dark green lea%es. The thi)k* hea%y #lant "as
)o%ering a door. Mary's heart "as eating fast and her hands "ere shaking as she #&shed the lea%es a"ay and fo&nd the key> hole. She took the key o&t of her #o)ket* and it fitted the hole. 1sing oth hands* she (anaged to &nlo)k the door. Then she t&rned
ro&nd to see if anyone "as "at)hing. B&t there "as no one* so she #&shed the door* "hi)h o#ened* slo"ly* for the first ti(e in ten years. She "alked I&i)kly in and sh&t the door ehind her. At last she "as inside the se)ret garden $t "as the lo%eliest* (ost
e+)iting #la)e she had e%er seen. There "ere old rose trees e%ery"here* and the "alls "ere )o%ered "ith )li(ing roses. She looked )aref&lly at the grey ran)hes. Were the roses still ali%e Ben "o&ld kno". She ho#ed they "eren't all dead. B&t she "as inside the "onderf&l
garden* in a "orld of her o"n. $t see(ed %ery strange and silent* &t she did not feel lonely at all. Then she noti)ed so(e s(all green shoots )o(ing &# thro&gh the grass. So so(ething "as gro"ing in the garden after all When she fo&nd a lot
(ore shoots in different #la)es* she de)ided they needed (ore air and light* so she egan to #&ll o&t the thi)k grass aro&nd the(. She "orked a"ay* )learing the gro&nd* for t"o or three ho&rs* and had to take her )oat off e)a&se she got so hot. The roin ho##ed
aro&nd* #leased to see so(eone gardening. /K
(he Seret Garden
0t was the lo+eliest5 most e+ening $lae Mary had e+er seen 2:
in din g the ser et gar den
'Martha* ' she said
as
she
"as
eating*
'$'%e
een
thinking. This is
a
ig*
lonely ho&se* and there isn't (&)h for (e
She
to do. Do yo&
al(ost forgot ao&t l&n)h*
and
"hen
she
arri%ed a)k in her roo(* she "as %ery h&ngry and ate t"i)e as (&)h &s&al.
as
think* if $ &y a little s#ade* $
)an
(ake
(y
o"n
garden' 'That's &st "hat Mother said*' Martha 'o&'d digging
re#lied . enoy and
"at)hing
o
#lants
&
gro"ing. Di)kon )an get
yo&
s#ade* so(e
a
* M
and
a
seeds
r
to #lant* if
t
yo& like.'
h
'
a
2
h * t h
$ ' % e
a
g
n
o
k y
t s o
(
)
e
k
(
g
o
a
n
%
e
e
y
(
t
e
h
.
a t
W i
M
l
r
l
s
y
M
o
e
&
d l o
" r i
t e
t h
a
e
n
(
d
f
a
o
s
r
k
(
D
e
i
)
'
k o n t o
'$ "ill. And he'll ring 6)i*'o n
an get yo" some
the( to yo& hi(self.' seeds to $lant.6
'2h Then
&
$'ll see hi(.'
y
Mary looked
%ery
o
e+)ited.
aro&nd
the
she
ho&se*
yo&
re(e(ered
kno".
so(ething.
Cra%en
'$ heard that
"o&ldn't like
)ry
it.
Then
in
the
"andering
Mr
No "
$
ho&se again*
(&st go and
Martha . $t
hel#
"asn't
the
others
"ind
this
do"nstairs.
ti(e.
$'%e
$'ll see yo& at
heard
it
three
ti(es
As
the
no".
Who
door
)losed
is it'
the
teati(e.'
ehind
Marth
a
Martha
*
looked
Mary
&n)o(forta
tho&ght
le .
herself* Thi s
'o&
(&stn' t
g
to
really is the
strangest
anyone
ho&se
li%ed in.'
that
e%er
fo&nd ne"
M
Me etin g Di) ko n
ary s#ent nearly a "eek "orking in the se)ret garden. Ea)h day she
shoots )o(ing o&t of the gro&nd. Soon* there "o&ld e flo"ers e%ery"here tho&sands of the(. $t "as an e+)iting ga(e to her. When she "as inside those ea&tif&l old "alls* no one kne" "here she "as.
D&ring that "eek she e)a(e (ore friendly "ith Ben* "ho "as often digging in one of the %egetale gardens. 'What are yo&r fa%o&rite flo"ers* Ben' she asked hi( one day. 'Roses. $ &sed to "ork for a yo&ng lady "ho lo%ed roses* yo& see* and she had a lot in her garden. That "as ten years
ago. B&t she died. =ery sad* it "as.' 'What ha##ened to the roses' asked Mary. 'They "ere left there* in the garden.' '$f rose ran)hes look dry and grey* are they still ali%e' asked Mary. $t "as so i(#ortant to kno" '$n the s#ring they'll sho" green shoots* and
then B&t "hy are yo& so interested in roses' he asked. Mary's fa)e "ent red. '$ &st . . . "anted to #retend $'%e got a garden. $ ha%en't got anyone to #lay "ith.' 'Well* that's tr&e*' said Ben. He see(ed to feel sorry for her. Mary de)ided she liked old Ben* altho&gh he "as
so(eti(es adte(#ered. She ski##ed along and into the "ood at the end of the /
M e et in g ) i ' o n
gardens. S&ddenly she
heard
a
strange noise* and there in front of her "as a oy. He "as sitting &nder a tree* #laying on a "ooden #i#e. He "as ao&t t"el%e* "ith a healthy red fa)e
and
right
l&e eyes. There "as
a
sI&irrel
and a )ro" in the tree*
and
t"o
raits sitting on the hi(.
grass
near
(her e was a s;"ir rel and a row in the tree5 and two ra&&i ts sittin g on the grass near him.
/
(he Seret Garde n
'They're listening to the (&si)' tho&ght Mary. '$ (&stn't frighten the(' She stood %ery still. The oy sto##ed #laying. 'That's right*' he said. 'Ani(als don't like it if yo&
(o%e s&ddenly. $'( Di)kon and yo& (&st e Miss Mary. $'%e ro&ght yo& the s#ade and the seeds.' He s#oke in an easy* friendly "ay. Mary liked hi( at on)e. As they "ere looking at the seed #a)kets together* the roin ho##ed on to a ran)h near
the(. Di)kon listened )aref&lly to the roin's song.
the
'He's saying he's yo&r friend*' he told Mary. 'Really 2h* $ a( #leased he likes (e. Can yo& &nderstand e%erything that irds say'
ird
'$
think
$
do* and they think
$
do.
$'%e li%ed on
(oor
"ith the( for so
long.
So(eti(es
$
think $ am a or
an
ani(al* not a oy
at
all'
His
s(ile
"as
the
"idest
she
had e%er seen. He e+#lained ho" to #lant the seeds. S&ddenly he said* '$ )an hel# yo& #lant the(
Where's yo&r garden'
yo&rs to o* ' he re#lied.
Ma r y "ent red* then "hite. She had ne%er tho&ght of this. W ha t "as she going to say
'$'%e stolen a garden*' she said %ery fast. 'Nood y goes into it* noody "ants it. $ lo%e it and noody takes )are of it They're letting it die' And she thre" her ar(s o%er her fa)e and started )rying.
'Co&ld yo& kee# a se)ret $t's a great se)ret. $f anyone dis)o%ers it* $ ' l l . . .$'ll die' '$ kee# se)rets for all the "ild irds and ani(als on the (oor. So $ )an kee#
30
Meet ing )i' on
'D on' t )ry*' said Di)kon gently. 'Where is it' 'Co(e "ith (e and $'ll sho" yo&*' said Miss Mary. They "ent to the se)ret garden and entered it together. Di)kon "alked ro&nd* looking at e%erything.
'Marth a told (e ao&t this #la)e* &t $ ne%er tho&ght $'d see it*' he said. '$t's "onderf&l' 'What ao&t the roses' asked Mary "orriedly. 'Are they still ali%e What do yo& think' '6ook at these shoots on the ran)hes. Most of the( are ali%e ail right.' He took o&t his knife and )&t a"ay so(e of
the dead "ood fro( the rose trees. Mary sho"ed hi( the "ork she had done in the garden* and they talked as they )&t and )leared. 'Di)kon*' said Mary s&ddenly* '$ like yo&. $ ne%er tho&ght $'d like as (any as fi%e #eo#le' '2nly fi%e' la&ghed Di)kon. He did look f&nny "hen
he la&ghed* tho&ght Mary. 'es* yo&r (other* Martha * the roin* Ben* and yo&.' Then she asked hi( a I&estion in orkshire diale)t* e)a&se that "as his lang&age. 'Does tha ' like (e' "as her I&estion. '2f )o&rse $ likes
thee
"onderf&l' re#lied Di)kon* a ig s(ile on his ro&nd fa)e.
Mary
had
ne%er een so ha##y. When she "ent a)k to the ho&se for her l&n)h* she told Martha ao&t Di)kon's %isit. '$'%e got ne"s for yo& too* ' said Martha. 'M r Cra%en's )o(e ho(e* and "ants to see yo& He's going a"ay again to(orro"* for se%eral (onths.'
?-
(he Seret Garden
'2h ' said Mary. That "as good ne"s. She "o&ld ha%e all s&((er in the se)ret garden efore he )a(e a)k. B&r she (&st e )aref&l. He (&stn't g&ess her se)ret no". <&st then Mr s Medlo)k
arri%ed* in her est la)k dress* to take Mar y do"n to Mr Cra%en's roo(. Mary's &n)le had la)k hair "ith so(e "hite in it* and high* )rooked sho&lders. His fa)e "as not &gly* &t %ery sad. D&ring their )on%ersation he "at)hed
her in "orried
a
"ay. !erha#s he "as thinking of other things at the sa(e ti(e. He looked at the thin )hild. 'Are yo& "ell' he asked. Mary tried to kee# her %oi)e )al( as she re#lied* '$'( getting stronger and healthier.'
M a r y 6 s " n l e h
a d & l a ' h a i r w i t h s o m e w h i t e i n
i t 5 a n d h i g h 5 r o o ' e d s h o " l d e r
s .
Meeti ng )i'o n
32
'What do yo& "ant to do* in this ig e(#ty ho&se' '$ . . . $ &st "ant to #lay o&tside $ enoy that.' 'es* Martha's (other* S&san So"ery* s#oke to
(e
the other day. She's
a
sensile
$s
"o(an and
anything
she
yo& "ant'
said
needed
yo&
there that
fresh
Mary )a(e
air. B&t "here
a ste# nearer
do yo& #lay'
to
'E%ery"here
hi(*
her
and %oi)e
$ &st ski#
shook a little
and r&n and
as she s#oke.
look for green
'Co&ld
shoots. $ don't
)o&ld $ ha%e a
da(age
it of garden' Mr Cra%en looked %ery s&r#rised.
anything' 'Don' t look so
frightened
2f )o&rse
a
)hild like yo& )o&ldn't da(age anything. !lay "here yo& like.
'To
$
#lant
seeds in . . . to (ake
the(
)o(e
ali%e'
Mary "ent on ra%ely.
'$t
"as too hot in
garden as yo&
$ndia* so $ "as
"ant.'
He
al" al"ays ill ill and and
s(iled
gently
tired
at her. 'No "
B &t
ther there. e. here
i t's t's
different. $ . . . $
lo % e
the
garden' He #assed a hand
I&i)kly
o%e o%er his eyes. Then The n he he looked kindly
at
Mary. '$ kne" so(eone on)e "ho
lo%ed
gro"ing things*
like
yo&.
es*
)hild* take as (&)h
of
the
lea%e (e. $'( %ery %ery tired.' tired. ' Mary ran all the "ay a)k a )k to her he r roo(. 'Martha she
'
sho&ted.
'M r Cra%en's really a ni)e (an*
&t
looks &nha##y*
he %ery He
said $ )an ha%e (y garden'
o"n
She #l # l a n nin ni n g "ork garden
in
"as
D i) k o n e%ery
to
day* to (ake
the
it ea&tif&l for
"ith
the s&((er.
S&ddenly she heard hear d )rying again. This ti(e
Me etin g Coli n
$
n the (iddle of the night Ma r y "oke &#. Hea%y rain had started falling again* and the "ind "as lo l o "in "i n g %iolently %iolently ro&n ro &nd d the "alls of the th e old ho&se. ho& se.
she de)ided de)id ed to dis)o%er dis)o%er "ho "h o it "as "a s . She lef leftt her roo(* and in the darkness follo"ed the )rying so&nd* ro&nd
)orners
and
thro&gh
doors*
&#
and
do"n stairs* to the other side of the ig ho&se. At
last
she
fo&nd the right roo(.
She
#&s #& s hed he d the th e d o o r
o#en and "ent in. $t "as a ig roo( "ith ea&ti ea &tif& f&ll old f&rnit&re and #i # i ) t&r t& r es. es . $n the th e lar large ed "as a oy o y * " h o look lo okee d t i r e d a n d ) ro s s * "ith a thin* "hite* tearf&l fa)e. He stared at Mary . 'Who are yo&' he "his#er ed. 'Are yo& a drea('
6 h o a r e y o " 9 6
Me etin g ol in
t h e & o y w h i s $ e r e d .
' N o * $'( not. $'( Mary Ma ry 6enno+. Mr Cra%en's (y &n)le.' 'He's (y father*' said the o o y . ' $ ' ( Colin Col in Cra%en.'
34
'N o one e%er told (e he had a
son'
Mary*
said %ery
s&r#rised. 'Well* no one e%er told (e
yo&'d )o(e to li%e here. $'( ill*
yo&
see.
e)a&se it (akes $
don't "ant #eo#le to see (e and talk ao&t (e. $f $ li%e* $ (ay ha%e a )rooked a)k like (y father* &t $'ll #roaly die.' 'What strange this
a ho&se
is'
said
Mary. 'So (any se)rets
Does
yo&r father )o(e and
see
yo&
often' 'No t often. He doesn't
like
seeing
(e
hi(
re(e(er
(y (other. She died "hen $ "as orn*
so
he
al(ost hates (e* $ think.' 'Why do yo& say yo&'re going to die' asked Mary. '$'%e een
al"ays ill.
nearly
$'%e died
se%eral
ti(es*
and
a)k's
(y
ne%er strong.
een My
do)tor feels s&re that $'( going to die. B&t he's (y father's
)o&sin*
and %ery #oor* so
angry* $ e)o(e
he'd like (e to
ill.'
die. Then he'd get all
the
(oney
Mary tho&ght she
liked
this
"hen (y lather
oy* altho&gh he
dies. He gi%es (e
see(ed
so
(edi)ine and tells
strange.
He
(e to rest. We
asked her lots of
had
I&estions*
a
grand
and
do)tor
fro(
she told hi( all
6ondon
on)e*
ao&t her life in
"ho told (e to
$ndia. 'Ho" old are yo&' he asked s&ddenly. '$'( ten* and so are yo&*' re#lied Mary* forgetting to e
go
o&t
in
the
fresh air and try to get "ell. B&t $ hate
fresh
And thing*
air.
another all
the
ser%ants ha%e to do "ha t $ "ant* e)a&se
if
$'(
?K
(he Seret Garden
)aref&l* 'e)a&se "hen yo& "ere orn the garden door "as lo)ked and the key "as &ried. And $ kno" that "as ten years ago.' Colin sat &# in ed and looked %ery interested. 'What door Who lo)ked
it Where's the key $ "ant to see it. $l l (ake the ser%ants tell (e "here it is. They'll take (e there and yo& )an )o(e too.' ' 2 h * # l e a s
e D o n' t d o n' t d o th at ' )r ie d M ar y. C
o l i n s t a r e d a t h e r . ' D o n '
t yo & " an t to se e it ' 'es* &t if yo& (ake the( o#en the door* it "ill ne%er e a se)ret again. o& see* if only we kno" ao&t it* if
"e if "e )an find the key* "e )an go and #lay there e%ery day. We )an hel# the garden )o(e ali%e again. And no one "ill kno" ao&t i t e+)e#t &s' '$ see*' said Colin slo"ly. 'es* $'d like that. $t'll e o&r se)ret. $'%e ne%er had
a se)ret efore.' 'And #erha#s*' added Mary )le%erly* '"e )an find a oy to #&sh yo& in yo&r "heel)hair* if yo& )an't "alk* and "e )an go there together "itho&t any other #eo#le. o&'ll feel etter o&tside. $ kno" $ do.'
'$'d like that*' he said drea(ily. '$ think $'d like fresh air* in a se)ret garden.' Then Mary told hi( ao&t the (oor* and Di)kon* and Ben Weatherstaf f* and the roin* and Colin listened to it all "ith great interest. He egan to s(ile and look
(&)h ha##ier.
Meeti ng olin
'$ like ha%ing yo& here*' he said. 'o& (&st )o(e and see (e e%ery day. B&t $'( tired no".' 36
'$'ll sing yo& a song. My ser%ant 4a(ala &sed to do that in $ndia*' said Mary* and %ery soon Colin "as aslee#. The ne+t afternoon Mary %isited Colin again* and he see(ed %ery #leased to see her. He had
sent his n&rse a"ay and had told noody ao&t Mary's %isit. Mary had not told anyody either. They read so(e of his ooks together* and told ea)h other stories. They "ere enoying the(sel%es and la&ghing lo&dly "hen s&ddenly the door o#ened. Dr Cra%en and Mrs Medlo)k )a(e in. They
al(ost fell o%er in s&r#rise. 'What's ha##ening here' asked Dr Cra%en. Colin sat &# straight. To Mary he looked &st like an $ndian #rin)e. 'This is (y )o&sin* Mary 6enno+*' he said )al(ly. '$ like her. She (&st %isit (e often.' '2h* $'( sorry* sir*' said #oor Mrs
Medlo)k to the
(o Mary he loo'e d <"st li'e an 0ndia n $rin e. 37
(he Seret Garden
do)tor. '$ don't kno" ho" she dis)o%ere d hi(. $ told the
ser%ants to kee# it a se)ret.' 'Don' t e st&#id* Medlo) k*' said
the $ndian #rin)e )oldly. 'Noody told her. She heard (e )rying and fo&nd (e herself. Bring o&r tea &# no".' '$'( afraid yo&'re getting too hot and e+)ited* (y oy*' said Dr Cra%en. 'That's not good for yo&.
Don't forget yo&'re ill.' '$ want to forget' said Colin. '$'ll e angry if Mary doesn't %isit (e She (akes (e feel etter.' Dr Cra%en did not look ha##y "hen
he left the roo(. 'What a )hange in the oy* sir' said the ho&sekee #er. 'He's &s&ally so disagreea le "ith all of &s. He really see(s to like that strange little girl. And he does look etter.' Dr Cra%en
had to agree.
F Colin is afraid
B
e)a& se it rained all the ne+t "eek* Mary "ent to talk to Colin e%ery
day instead of %isiting the garden. B&t she "oke early one (orning to see the s&n shining into her roo(* and she ran o&t to the se)ret garden at on)e. She did not e%en "ait
to ha%e her reakfas t. $t "as ea&tif&l ly s&nny and "ar(* and a tho&san d (ore shoots "er e #&shing their "ay o&t of the gro&nd. Di)kon
"as alread y
olin is afraid ? there* digging hard* "ith the )ro" and a yo&ng fo+ eside hi(. 'Ha%e yo&
seen
the
roin'
he
asked Mary. The little ird "as
flying
&sily a)k"ards and for"ards as fast as he )o&ld*
)arrying #ie)es
going to hel#
of dry grass.
hi( to get etter.'
'He's &ilding
a
nest' "his#ered Mary.
They
"at)hed roin
the
for
a
(o(ent. Then Mary said* '$ (&st tell yo& so(ething. o& #roaly kno" ao&t Colin Cra%en* don't yo& Well* $'%e (et hi(* and $'(
6 , e 6 s & " i l d i n g a n e s t 8 6 w h i s
$ e r e d M a r y . ?
(he Seret Garden
'That's good ne"s.' There "as a ig s(ile on Di)kon's honest fa)e. 'We all kne" he "as ill.' 'He's afraid he'll ha%e a )rooked a)k like his father. $ think that's "hat's
(aking hi( ill.' '!erha #s "e )an ring hi( here and
ti(e to %isit Colin that day. When she )a(e a)k to the ho"se in the e%ening* Martha told her that the ser%ants had had tro&le "ith Colin. 'He's een %ery ad te(#ered all afternoon "ith all of &s* e)a&se yo& didn't )o(e* (iss*'
'Well* $ "as &sy. He'll ha%e to learn not to e so selfish*' re#lied Mary )oldly. She forgot ho" selfish she had een "hen she "as ill in $ndia. '$'ll go and see hi( no". ' When she "ent
into his roo(* he "as lying in ed* looking tired. He did not t&rn to look at her. 'What's the (atter "ith yo&' she asked )rossly. 'My a)k a)hes and (y head h&rts. Why didn't yo& )o(e this afternoon '
'$ "as "orking in the garden "ith Di)kon.' '$ "on' t let that oy )o(e to the garden if yo& stay "ith hi( instead of talking to (e' Mary s&ddenly e)a(e %ery angry. '$f yo& send Di)kon a"ay* $'ll ne%er )o(e into this roo( again'
olin is afrai d
'o&'ll ha%e to* $ say yoif so. $'ll (ake the ser%ants ring & in here.' '2h* "ill yo&* #rin)e B&t no one )an (ake (e talk to 09
yo&. $ "on' t look at yo&. $'ll stare at the floor' 'o& selfish girl' )ried Colin. 'o&'re (ore selfish than $ a(. o&'re the (ost selfish oy $'%e e%er (et'
'$'( not as selfish as yo&r fine Di)kon He kee#s yo& #laying o&tside "hen he kno"s $'( ill and alone'
#oor )o&ntry oy*
"ith
holes in his shoes' 'He's a tho&sand ti(es etter than yo& are'
Mary had ne%er een so
Colin
f&rio&s.
had
ne%er arg&ed
'Di)kon is
"ith
anyone
ni)er than any
like
hi(self
other oy in
in
the "orld
and in fa)t it
He's like an
"as good for
angel'
hi(.
'An Don' t (e He's
angel (ake la&gh &st
a
his
life*
B&t
no" he "as eginning
to
feel sorry for hi(self.
'$'( ill*'
al"ays
he
said*
(ean
o&
kno"
$'(
and started to
going to die
)ry. '$'( s&re
E%eryody
(y a)k is a
says
it
going to die'
)rooked.
And $'( going to die'
elie%e
'No * yo&'re not' said Mary )rossly. Colin o#ened eyes
'$
his %ery
$'( don't it'
said Mary in her
(ost
disagreeale %oi)e*
'o&
&st say that
"ide. Noody
to
had said that to
#eo#le
hi( efore. He
sorry for yo&.
"as angry* &t
o&'re
too
a it #leased at
horrid
to
the sa(e ti(e.
die'
'What do yo&
(ake feel
Colin forgot ao&t his #ainf&l a)k and sat &# in ed* Get o&t of the roo( at on)e' he sho&ted* and thre" a ook at her. '$( going*' Mary sho&ted in re#ly* 'and $ "on' t )o(e 0
(he Seret Garden
' G e t o u t o f t h e r o o m a t o n c e ! ' C o li n s h o u t e d .
a)k' The door anged sh&t ehind her. When she rea)hed her o"n roo(* she had de)ided ne%er to tell hi( her great se)ret. 'He )an stay in his roo( and die if he "ants'
she tho&ght. B&t soon she egan to re(e(er ho " ill he had een* and ho " frightened he "as* frightened that one day his a)k "o&ld e)o(e as )rooked as his father's. . '!erha#s . . #erha#s $'ll goand a)k
see hi( to(orro" '
olin is afraid
That night she "as "oken y the (ost terrile s)rea(s that she had e%er heard. Ser%ants "ere o#ening and sh&tting doors and r&nning ao&t.
'$t's Colin' tho&ght Mary. 'He'll go on s)rea(in g &ntil he (akes hi(self really ill Ho
"
selfish he 42
is So(eod y
sho&ld sto# hi(' <&st
hi( )al(er*
then
#lease'
Martha ran
(ake
'Well*
into
the
)ross
roo(.
"ith
'We
hi(*'
don't
said
kno" "hat do'
$'( %ery
to she
Mary* and
)ried.
&(#ed
'He likes
o&t of
yo&*
ed. '$'(
(iss
going to
Co(e
sto#
and see if
hi(' 'That's right*'
yo&
)an
said Marth a . 'He needs so(eone like yo&* to arg&e "ith. $t'll gi%e hi( so(ething ne" to think ao&t.' Mary ran into Colin's roo(* right &# to his ed. 'Sto# s)rea(in g'
she
sho&ted f&rio&sly. 'Sto#
at
on)e
$
hate yo& E%eryod y
hates
yo& o&'ll die yo&
if go
on s)rea(in g
like
this* and $
ho#e
yo& "ill' The s)rea(s sto##ed i((edia tely. This
"as the first ti(e that anyone
g )rooked* $ )an feel
had
it $
s#oken
kno"
so
$'( going
angrily
to die'
to Colin*
6arge
and he
tears ran
"as
do"n his
sho)ked. B&t he "ent on )rying I&ietly to hi(self. 'My a)k's e)o(in
fa)e. 'Don' t e st&#id' )ried Mary. 'There' s nothing the (atter "ith
yo&r horrid a)k Martha * )o(e here and hel# (e look at his a)k' Marth a
and
half o#en. They oth looked %ery frightene d. Marth a
)a(e
for"ard to
hel#*
Mrs
and Miss
Medlo)k
Mary
"ere
looked
standing
)aref&lly
at
at Colin's
the
door*
thin
staring at
"hite
Mary*
a)k*
their
and
(o&ths
do"n.
&#
Her
fa)e
the sa(e
"as
ti(e. The
serio&s
roo( "as
and
%ery
angry
at
I&iet. 43
(he Seret Garden
'
6(he re6s nothi ng wron g with yo"r &a' 86 Mary said at last.
T he re 's n ot hi n g " ro n g " it h y o &r a
)k' she said at last. 'Nothing at all $t's as straight as (ine' 2nly Colin kne " ho " i( #o rt an t thos e )rossl y s#oken* )hildish "ords "ere. All his life he had een afraid to ask ao&t his
a)k* and his terril e fear had (ade hi( ill. No " an angry little girl told hi( his a)k "as straig ht* and he
el ie % e d h er . H e " a s n o long er afra id.
'We (&n get #oor Colin o&t here in th' s&nshine an' "e (&nnot lose no ti(e ao&t it' Di)kon la&ghed. 'Well done $ didn't kno" yo& )o&ld s#eak orkshire o&'re right. We (&st ring
Colin
n
id he "as
to the
a
like an
garden
"
as
ay
soon
*'
as "e
he
)an*' So that aftern oon she "ent to see Colin . '$'(
sa
angel' 'Well* he's a f&nny kind of angel* &t he &nderstand s "ild ani(als etter than anyone.' S&ddenly* Mary kne" that this "as the right (o(ent to tell hi(. She )a&ght hold of his hands.
sorry $ said $'d send Di)ko
id. '$ ha te d yo & " he n yo & sa
'Colin* this is i(#ortant.
Can yo& kee# a se)ret'
They "ere oth )al(er no". He ga%e Mary his hand. '$ think $'( al(ost s&re $ "ill li%e* if "e )an go o&t in the garden together so(eti(e
' e s
yes' he "his#ered e+)itedly. 'What is it' s. $'( %ery tired no". Will yo& stay "ith (e &ntil $ go to slee#' The ser%an ts "ent o&t %ery I&ietl y. '$'ll tell yo&
all ao&t the se)ret garden*' "his#ere d Mary. '$ think it's f&ll of roses and ea&tif&l flo"ers. Birds like (aking their nests there e)a&se it's so I&iet and safe. And #erha#s o&r roin.. .
' B&t Colin "as already aslee#. The ne+t day Mary (et Di)kon as &s&al in the se)ret garden* and told hi( ao&t Colin. Mary lo%ed Di)kon's orkshir e diale)t
'We'%e fo&nd the door into the se)ret garden' '2h Mary Will $ li%e long eno&gh to see it' '2f
and "as trying to learn it herself. She s#oke a little no". 44
)o&rse yo& "ill Don't e st&#id' said Mary )rossly. H&t it "as a
%ery
nat&ral thing say*
to and
they
oth
la&ghed. Colin told Mrs Medlo)k and the do)tor that he "anted to go o&t in his "heel)hair. At first the do)tor "as "orried the oy "o&ld get too tired* &t "hen he heard that Di)kon "o&ld #&sh the
"heel)hair * he agreed. 'Di)kon' s a sensile oy*' he told Colin. 'B&t don't f o r g o t L ' '$'%e told yo&* $ want to
forget that $'( ill*' said Colin in his
$t's
e)a&se (y )o&sin (akes (e
#rin)e's
forget that
%oi)e.
$
'Don' t yo&
etter
&nderstand
"hen
feel $'(
"ith her.'
2
olin and the garden
Col in an d the gar de n f )o&rse* it "as (ost i(#ort ant that no one sho&ld see
Colin* Mary* or Di)kon entering the se)ret garden. So Colin ga%e orders to the gardeners that they (&st all kee# a"ay fro( that #art of the garden in f&t&re. The ne+t afternoon Colin "as
)arried do"nstairs y a (an (a n ser%ant* and #&t #& t in his "heel)hair o&tside the fron t d o o r . Di)kon arri%ed* "ith his )ro"* t"o sI&irrels and the fo+* o+* and started #&shin #&s hing g the "heel)hair gently a"ay fro( the ho&se* and into the gardens. Mary Mar y "alked "alked eside the th e )hair.
S#ring had really arri%ed no" and it see(ed %ery e +)i t in g t o Colin* "ho had li%ed indoors for fo r so long. He s(elt the " ar ( air fro( t he ( o o r * an d "at)hed the little "hite )lo&ds in the l&e l& e sky. $n a %ery short ti(e he heard Mary
say* 'This is "h er e $ fo&nd the key . . . and this is the door . . . and t h i s . . * this is the se)ret se)ret garden gar den' ' Colin )o%ered his eyes "ith his hands &ntil he "as inside the fo&r high "alls* and the door "as sh&t again. Then he looked ro&nd at the roses )li(ing the old red "alls*
the #ink and "hite flo"ers on the fr&it trees* and the irds an d t he &tterflies e%ery"here. The s&n "ar(ed his fa)e* and he s&ddenly kne" he felt different. 'Mary Di)kon' he )ried. '$'( going to get ett e tter er $'( $' ( going to li%e for e%er
and e%er and e%er' As Di)kon #&sh #& shed ed the "heel)hair all ro&nd the garden* 0F
he told Colin the na(es of all the #lants. The s&n shone* the the irds irds sang* and in e%ery ) o r n e r of t h e garden there "as so(eth so(ething ing interesting to look at. The three )hildren t al ke d an d la&ghed* and y the end of the afternoon all three "ere s#eaking orkshire together.
'$'ll )o(e a)k here her e e%ery e%ery afternoon*' afternoon* ' said Colin. '$ "ant to "at)h things gro"ing.' 'Soon yo&'ll e stro s trong ng eno&gh to "alk and dig. o&'ll e
)i ' on $"
she d the whe el hai r all ro" ro" nd the gar den .
08
(he Seret Garden
ale to hel# &s "ith the gardening*' said Di)kon kindly* 'Do 'D o yo& really think $'ll $' ll e ale t o . . . to "alk "alk a n d . . . dig' dig ' asked Colin.
s e y o & " i l l . o & ' % e
' 2 f
g o t
) o & r
l e g s
* l i k e & s ' 'B&t they're not %ery strong*' ans"ered Colin. 'They shake* and . .. and $'( afraid to stand on the(.'
'When yo& "ant to &se the(* yo&'ll e e ale a le to* ' said Di)kon. The garden "as I&iet for a (o(ent. S&ddenl y C ol i n said* 'Who's that' Mary t&rned her head* and noti)ed Ben
Weatherstaf f's angry fa)e looking at he r o%er the garden "all* 'What are yo& doing in that garden* yo&ng (iss' he sho&ted* He had not seen Colin or Di)kon. 'The roin sho"ed (e the "ay* Ben*' she re#lied.
'o&... yo&L' He sto##ed sho&ting and his (o&th dro##ed o#en as he sa" sa " Di)kon #& # & s h i n g a o o y in a "heel)hair o%er the grass to"ards hi(. 'Do yo& kn o " "ho $ a('
asked the oy in the )hair. 2ld Ben stared. 'o&'%e got yo&r (other's eyes*' he said in a shaking %oi)e. 'es* $ kno" yo&. o&'re Mr Cra%en's son* the little oy "ith the )rooked a)k.'
Colin forgot that he had e%er had a)ka)he. 'My a)k's as straight as yo&rs is' he sho&ted. Ben stared and stared. He only kne" "hat he had heard fro( the ser%ants. 'o& ha%en't got a )rooked a)k' he
asked. '2 r )rooked legs'
ol in and the gar den
That "as too (&)h. Colin "as f&rio&s* and it (ade hi( feel strong. 'Co(e
48
here* Di)kon' he
sho&ted*
and thre" off his
lanket.
Di)kon
"as
y his side in a
se)ond.
Mary felt si)k "ith Co&ld stand
fear. Colin
Then
r&nning
Colin's
thin
do"n Ben's
on
ro"n old
the grass and
fa)e. 'They
feet "ere he
"as
standing* holding Di)kon's He
ar(. looked
strangely
tall*
and he held his head %ery high. '6ook at (e' he sho&ted at Ben. '<&st look at (e' 'He' s as straight as any oy in orkshire' said Di)kon. Tears "ere
said yo& "ere going to die' he "his#ered. 'Well*
yo&
)an see that's not tr&e*' said Colin. 'No" * get do"n fro( the "all and )o(e here. $ "ant to talk to yo&.
o&'%e
got to hel# &s kee# garden se)ret.'
the a
'es* sir*' said old Ben* as he dried his eyes.
s h o "t e d at B e n. 6J " st to o ' at m e8 6
0 6Lo o' at me 86 o lin
(he Seret Garden
Tha t "as the first of (any ea&tif&l afternoons in the se)ret garden. Colin "as ro&ght there y Di)kon and Mary nearly e%ery day* and he sa" all the )hanges that ha##ened
there d&ring the s#ring and early s&((er. Ben Weatherstaff* no " in the se)ret* oined the( as often as he )o&ld. 2ne day Colin s#oke to all of the(. '6isten* e%eryody. $ think there's so(ething like (agi) that (akes gardens
gro" and things ha##en. !erha#s if $ elie%e in it* the (agi) "ill (ake (e strong. 6et's all sit do"n in a )ir)le and ask the (agi) to "or k. ' So they all sat on the grass in a )ir)le* Di)kon "ith his )ro"* his fo+ and the t"o
sI&irrels* Mary* Colin* and Ben. Colin re#eated these "ords se%eral ti(es* 'The s&n's shining. That's the (agi). Being strong. That's the (agi). Magi) Hel# (e Magi) Hel# (e' At Colin sto##ed.
last
'No
"
going
$'( to
"alk
ro&nd
the garden*' he said* and took Di)kon's ar(. Slo"ly he
"alked
fro(
one
"all
to
another*
'o& see $ )an "alk no" The (agi) "orked' '$t's "onderf&l' )ried Mary. 'o&r father "ill think he is drea(ing "hen he sees yo&' '$ "on' t
follo"ed y
tell hi( yet.
Mary
and
$'( going to
Ben.
And
kee#
it
"hen he had
se)ret
fro(
"alked
e%eryody.
)losely
the ro&nd* said*
all "ay he
a
$'ll )o(e to the and
garden "alk
and
r&n
little
a
ol in and the gar den
(ore
e%ery
day
&ntil $'( as healthy any oy.
as other
Then* (y
No
"
father )o(es
egan
a
ho(e*
$'ll
diffi)< ti(e
"alk &# to
for Colin and
hi( and say*
Mary.
@Here $ a(*
Di)kon
,ather. o&
his
see $'( not
ao&t it one
going
e%ening as he
"hen
to
"as
die@ K9
told
(other
digging
the )ottage garden.
'o&
see*
(other* they
fresh air* that'll
the
(ake the( h&ngry* $ sho&ld think' 'es* that's
to
the #role(.
g&ess
that
They're oth
Colin
)an
getting fatter
don't
"ant
the
do)tor
or ser%ants
"alk and is
and
getting
healthier*
etter.
So
and
they
they ha%e to
really
enoy
#retend
he's
their
food
still
and
no".
B&t
&st
ill
as
they ha%e to
disagreeale
send so(e of
as he &sed to
it a)k to the
e' '$f they're r&nning ao&t all day in the
kit)hen* &neaten.
$f
they )at it all* #eo#le
"ill
realie
ho"
the( a lot of
healthy
they
good What
are
a
So(eti(es they're %ery h&ngry' '$ kno" "hat "e )an
g a ( e
do*' said Mrs
t
So"ery.
h
'o& )an lake
o
so(e
fresh
s
(ilk
and
e
so(e of (y
)
ne"ly aked
h
read to the
i
garden in the
l
(ornings. $f
d
they
ha%e
r
that* it'll do
e
n a r e
l a & g h
#
e
l
d
a y i n
a n d
g
t
e
'
a
A n d s h e
r s ) a ( e
t
"
o
o r
h
k
e
i
r
n
e
g
y
i
e
n
s
t
. 2ne afternoon "hen they
h e
"
g
e
a
r
r
e
d
a l l
e n *
t
(
h
a
e
n
d
)
o
a
o
(
r
e
o
I
#
&
e
i
n
e
e
t
d
l
a
y
n
i
d
n
a " o
. '$ t ' s Mother ' )r ie d
D i ) k o n * a n d r a n t o " a r d s her. 'told her
"her e the 60t6s Mot her86 =
(he Seret Garden door "as* e)a&se $ kne" she "o&ld kee# the se)ret.' Colin held o&t his hand to her. '$'%e "anted to see yo& for a long ti(e*' h e said. 'Dear oy' S&san
So"ery "his#ere d* holding his hand. 'o&'re so like yo&r (other' 'Do yo& think.' asked Colin )aref&lly* 'that "ill (ake (y father like (e' '$'( s&re it "ill*' she ans"ered "ar(ly.
'He (&st see yo& he (&st )o(e ho(e no".' 'o& see ho" healthy the oy is* S&san' asked old Ben. '6 oo k ho " str on g an d str
aig ht his leg s are no " ' 'es*' she la&ghed. '!laying and "orking o&tside* and eating good orkshire food* has (ade hi( strong. And Miss Mary too* ' she added* t&rning to
Mary. 'Mrs Medlo)k heard that yo&r (other "as a #retty "o(an. o&'ll soon e as #retty as she "as.' ' D o y o & e l i e % e
i n ( a g i ) ' C o l i n a s k e d h e r .
'$ do*' she ans"ered* ' &t e%eryody gi%es it a different na(e. $t (akes the s&n shine and the seeds gro" and it has (ade yo& healthy.' She sat do"n on the grass and stayed for a "hile* talking and la&ghing "ith the
)hildren in the I&iet* s&nny garden. When she stood &# to lea%e* Colin s&ddenly #&t o&t a hand to her. ' $ " i s h y o & " e
r e
d .
( y
Mr
s
So"ery #&
( o t h e r '
t
her
ar(s
ro&nd
hi(
and
held
h e
(other
" h i s # e r e
e* here in
hi( to her. 'Dear
oy
o&'re
as
)lose to yo&r yo& her
as )o&ld
garden.
And
yo&r
father'll )o(e soon'
a)k
8
M r C r a % e n ) o ( e s h o ( e
hile the se)re t gard en "as ret&r ning to life* a (an "ith high )roo ked sho& lders "as "an
derin g ro&n d
the
(ost
ea&tif&l #la)es
tra%ellers tho&ght
in
he
"as
half
E&ro#e. ,or
(ad
ten years he
(an
had
li%ed
)o&ld
this
lonely
life
his
or
a
"ho not
forget so(e terrile
heart f&ll of
)ri(e . His
sadness and
na(e
his head f&ll
Ar)hiald
of
Cra%en.
dark
drea(s
.
"as
B&t
one
E%ery"here
day* as he sat
he "ent* he
y
)arried
(o&ntain
his
a
&nha##iness
strea(*
"it
a)t&ally
h
hi(
he
like a la)k
looked
)lo&d.
flo"er*
and
2ther
for
first
the
at
a
ti(e
in
ten
years
he
realied ho" ea&tif&l so(ething li%ing
B"t one
)o&ld
e.
The
%alley see(ed %e r y as
I&iet
he
sat
there* staring at the Mo"er. He strangely )al(.
felt
d a y 5 a s h e s a t & y a m o "
n t a i n
e d
s t r e a m 5
a
h e a t " a l l y l o o '
a t
f l o w e r . K?
(he Seret Garden
'What is ha##en ing to (e' he "his#e red. '$ feel differe nt $ al(ost feel $'( ali%e again' At that (o(ent* h&ndreds of (iles a"ay in
orkshire* Colin "as seeing the se)ret garden for the first ti(e* and saying* '$'( going to li%e for e%er and e%er and e%er' B&t Mr Cra%en did not kno " this. That night* in his hotel
roo(* he sle#t etter than &s&al. As the "eeks #assed* he e%en egan to think a little ao&t his ho(e and his son. 2ne e%ening in late s&((er* as he "as sitting I&ietly eside a
lake* he felt the strange )al(ness again. He fell aslee#* and had a drea( that see(ed %ery real. He heard a %oi)e )alling hi(. $t "as s"eet and )lear and ha##y* the %oi)e of
his yo&ng "ife. 'Ar)hie Ar)hie Ar)hie ' 'My dear' He &(#ed &#. 'Where are yo&' '$n the garden ' )alled the ea&tif &l %oi)e. And then the
drea( ended. $n the (orning* "hen he "oke* he re(e(er ed the drea(. 'She says she's in the garden' he tho&ght. 'B&t the door's lo)ked and the key's &ried.'
Tha
t
ret&rn
to
(orning
England
he
i((ediate
re)ei%ed a
ly. 2n the
letter fro(
long
S&san
o&rney
So"ery.
a)k
$n it she
orkshire*
asked hi(
he
to
thinking
)o(e
to "as
ho(e* &t
ao&t
she
Colin.
did
not gi%e a
'$
reason.
"onder
Mr
ho" he is
Cra%en
$
tho&ght
to
of
hi(*
his
"anted forget
drea(*
e)a&se
and
he (akes
de)ided to
(e
think
of
his
Mr ra+ en ome s home
(other. He
li%ed*
and
she
died B&t #erha#s $'%e
een h o ( e *
"rong. S&san So"ery says
$
sho&ld go K0
s o # e r h a # s s h
e
arri%ed
t h i n k s
ho(e* he fo&nd the ho&sekee #er %ery )onf&sed
$
ao&t
) a n
Colin's health. 'He ' s %ery strange * sir*' said Mrs Medlo )k. 'H e looks
h e l # h i ( . '
etter* it's When
he
tr&e* so(e
&t
days
he
in
his
eats
"heel)ha
nothing
ir*
at all* and
Miss
other
Mary
days
he
eats
&st
like
a
"ith
and Di)kon So"ery.
healthy
He's
oy.
He
the
&sed
to
s)rea(
in
garden at the
e%en
at
(o(ent.'
the
idea
of
fresh
garden'
air*
&t
re#eated
no"
he
s#ends all
'$n the
Mr Cra%en.
his
Those
ti(e
"ere
o&tside
"ords of
the
the
o&tside*
drea(
listening*
He
for
h&rried
(o(ent.
o&t
of
the ho&se and to"ards the #la)e "hi)h he had
not
%isited for so
long.
He fo&nd the "ith
door the
)li(ing #lant o%er
it*
and stood
a 'S&rely $ )an hear %oi)es inside the garden ' he tho&gh t.
'Aren't there )hildren "his#eri ng* la&ghing* r&nning in there
2r a( $
oy
ran
going
o&t*
a
(ad'
tall* healthy*
And then
the
handso(
(o(ent
e
)a(e*
straight
"hen the
into
)hildren
(an's
)o&ld not
ar(s. Mr
stay
Cra%en
I&iet.
stared
There
into
"as "ild
oy's
la&ghing
la&ghing
and
eyes.
sho&ting* and
the
door "as thro"
n
o#en.
A
oy* the
the
'Who What Who' he )ried.
Colin had
not
',ather *' he said*
#lanned
'$'(
to
Colin.
(eet
his father
o& )an't
like this.
elie%e
B&t
it $ )an't
#erha#s
elie%e it
this
"as
(yself. $t
the
est
"as the
to
garden*
"ay* )o(e
and Mary
r&nning
and
o&t
Di)kon
"ith
his )o&sin and his friend.
=
(he Seret Garden
- &oy ran o"t5 a tall5 healthy5 handsom e &oy5 straight into the man6s arms.
=:
Mr ra+en omes home
a n d t h e ( a g i ) * t h a t ( a
de (e "ell. We'%e ke#t it a se)ret &# to no". Aren't yo& ha##y* ,ather $'( going to li%e for e%er and e%er and e%er' Mr Cra%en
# & t h is h a n d s o n t h e o y 's s h
o&lders . ,or a (o(en t he )o&ld not s#eak. 'Take (e into the garden* (y oy*' he said at last* 'and tell (e all ao&t it.' And in the
s e ) r e t g a r d e n * " h e r e t h e
roses "ere at their est* and the &tterfli es "ere flying fro( flo"er to flo"er in the s&((er s&nshin e* they told Colin's father their story.
S o ( e ti ( e s h e l a & g h e d a n d s
o(eti( es he )ried* &t (ost of the ti(e he &st looked* &nelie %ing* into the handso (e fa)e of the son that he had al(ost forgotte n. 'No" * ' said
C o li n a t t h e e n d * 'i t i s n 't a s
e)ret any (ore. $'ll ne%er &se the "heel) hair again. $'( going to "alk a)k "ith yo&* ,ather to the ho&se.' And so* tha t afterno
o n * M r s M e d l o ) k * M a rt h a * a
nd the other ser%ants had the greatest sho)k of their li%es. Thro&g h the gardens to"ards the ho&se )a(e Mr Cra%en* looking ha##ier than they
h a d e % e r s e e n h i ( . A
nd y his side* "ith his sho&lde rs straight * his head held high and a s(ile on his li#s* "alked yo&ng Colin
with language
E
A Checki ng your unders tandin g
Cha#ter - ho said these words in the story9 - 'We (&st lea%e soon' / 'Why "as $ forgotte n' ? 'He's got a )rooked
a)k* and he's horrid' 0 'o& (&st stay o&t of his "ay' Cha#ter / ho in this ha$ter... - ... "as )leaning the fire#la)e in Mary's edroo( / ... kne" a lot ao&t "ild ani(als ? ... &ried the key to the
se)ret garden 0 ... "as a orkshir e (oor (an Cha#ter s ?0 -re these sentene s tr"e >(? or false >?9 - The door to the se)ret garden "as lo)ked nine years ago.
/ Martha "ent to %isit her fa(ily for a "eek. ? Mrs So"ery o&ght a ski##ing ro#e for Mary. 0 Ben's fa%o&rite flo"ers "ere roses. Cha#ters KF ind answers to these ;"estions in the text. - Ho" did Mary find Colin's roo(
/ Why "as the roin so &sy in the garden ? Why did Mary look at Colin's a)k Cha#ters 8 rite answers to these ;"estions . - Why did Colin get etter / Who s#oke to Mr
Cra%en in his drea( ? Why did Mr Cra%en de)ide to )o(e ho(e
K
- 1"t together these &eginning s and endings of sentenes. he' yo"r answers in ha$ter - Mary Mary fe felt lo lonelier tha tha / $ like Di)k Di)kon on** ... ... ? Are things gro"ing in the ... "here he li%es gard en .. . ... "he n Mar Ma r
tha had gone. gone. 0 Before she )a(e to orkshire ... -9 ... altho&gh $'%e ne%er seen K As Mary Ma ry looked at the the ho le *. . . hi(. F She ho#ed ... - - ... .. . they "eren't all dead* -/. . sh e h any od y .
/ om$lete these sentenes with information
from from the. story. story. - Mr Cra%en &ri & ried ed the key to the se)ret garden e)a&s e) a&see ... .. . / Mrs Medlo)k "as angry "ith Mary "hen ... ? When Mary asked her &n)le for a it of garden* he ...
0 Colin's legs "ere not %ery strongs & & t . . . = While Colin "as e)o(in e) o(ing g healthier* his father ... F Colin told his father the story* and then ... C A)ti%ities - o& are Colin. Write his diary
for the th e day "hen he first %isite d the se)re t gard en. en . / Whi)h #ers #e rson on do yo& like* or dislike* (ost in the story Why
Write a fe" senten)e s to des)rie this #ers #e rson on.. ? Wh a t do yo& think "ill ha##en to Mary* Colin* and an d Di)kon in ten years' ti(e Write another #ar #a r agr ag r a #h to
finis h the story . o& )o&l d egi n like this he n oli n and Mar y were twen ty5 they still li+ed at Miss
elthwait e Manor.. Manor.. .
G l o s s a r y a n g e l a ( e
s s e n g e r f r o ( G o d * o r a % e r y
g o o d # e r s o n a d t e ( # e r e d o
f t e n ) r o s s a n d a n g r y & r y 7 #
a s t t e n s e & r i e d : t o # & t a #
e r s o n o r t h i n g i n t h e g r o & n
d ) o n f & s e d n o t a l e t o t h i n
k ) l e a r l y * o r t o & n d e r s t a n d
s o ( e t h i n g ) o & s i n t h e ) h i l d
o f y o & r & n ) l e o r a & n t t a d i f
f e r e n t " a y o f s # e a k i n g t h e
s a ( e l a n g & a g e i n a d i f f e r e n
t # a r t o f a ) o & n t r y 7 e . g . o
r k s h i r e : d i s a g r e e a l e n o t #
l e a s i n g a d t e ( # e r e d f & r i
o & s % e r y a n g r y handso(e or a (an: h o # 7 # a s t t
goodlooking 7&s&ally for a oy
e n s e h o # # e d : t o & ( # o n o n e
f o o t h o r r i d a d * t e r r i l e *
n o t a t a l l n i ) e s o ( e t h i n g s
t r a n g e t h a t ) a n ( a k e " o n d e r
f & l * & n & s & a l t h i n g s h a # # e n
sho)ked &n#leasant: #ast tense s k i # # e d : t o & ( # a g a i n a
%ery s&r#rised 7y so(ething
n d a g a i n o % e r a r o # e t h a t y o
& a r e s " i n g i n g stare ti(e t e a r s d r o #
to look at so(eone for a long
s o f " a t e r t h a t ) o ( e f r o ( y o
& r e y e s " h e n y o & ) r y & g l y n o
t e a & t i f & l " a n d e r t o " a l k s
l o " l y " i t h n o s # e ) i a l # l a n
" h i s # e r t o s # e a k % e r y s o f t l
y a n d I & i e t l y 2 R 4 S H $ R E D $ A 6 E
C T 1 S E D $ N T H $ S S T 2 R
T h a ' ) a n n
a ' d r e s s t h y s e n o & ) a n ' t
d r e s s y o & r s e l f D o e s t h a ' l
i k e ( e D o y o & l i k e ( e $ likes thee "onderf&l. $ like yo& "onderf&lly* W e (
& n g e t # o o r C o l i n o & t h e r e i
n t h ' s & n s h i n e * a n ' " e ( & n n
o t l o s e n o t i ( e a o & t i t . W e
( & s t g e t # o o r C o l i n o & t h e r
e i n t h e s & n s h i n e * a n d " e ( &
s t n ' t l o s e a n y t i ( e a o & t i
