🌿 The Secret Garden – Chapter 1: A Lonely Girl (Adapted for B1+ English)

Mary Lennox was a very strange little girl. She was born in India, where her parents were rich English people. But they did not love her. Her father worked for the government, and her mother liked parties and clothes. Mary was mostly left alone with her servants.

She was not a happy child. She was pale, thin, and always angry. She gave orders to everyone, and she thought only of herself.

One day, something terrible happened. A sickness came to the city. People became ill everywhere, and many died. The house became quiet. The servants stopped coming. Mary didn’t understand what was happening.

She wandered around the house, but no one answered her. After two days, a group of soldiers arrived. A young officer found Mary alone in a room.

“This is the child?” he asked.

Later, she learned that both her parents were dead. The officer didn’t know what to do with her. She had no friends. No family in India.

A woman was asked to care for Mary for a few weeks. Her name was Mrs. Crawford. She wasn’t kind, but she gave Mary food and clean clothes. Mary didn’t cry. She was angry and cold, just like before.

Mrs. Crawford said, “You have an uncle in England. His name is Mr. Archibald Craven. He lives in a big house called Misselthwaite Manor. You will go live with him.”

So Mary was put on a ship to England. It was a long and lonely journey. She didn’t talk to anyone. The weather was cold and grey, and she missed the warmth of India—even though she had never been happy there.

When she arrived in London, a man met her at the station. He was a servant from Misselthwaite Manor. His name was Mr. Pitcher.

“Your uncle couldn’t come,” he said. “He is a busy man. He travels a lot. But the house is ready for you.”

They traveled by train for many hours through the countryside. Then they took a carriage through fields and hills. Everything looked wild and empty. Mary stared out of the window, silent.

Finally, they arrived at the large stone house. Misselthwaite Manor was dark and cold. The wind blew hard outside.

Inside, a woman named Mrs. Medlock welcomed her. She was the housekeeper.

“This is not a place for children,” Mrs. Medlock said. “Your uncle doesn’t like noise or trouble. You must stay out of his way.”

Mary was taken to a room high up in the house. It had a bed, a chair, and a fireplace. She was told to stay there and not wander around.

Alone again, Mary sat by the fire. She didn’t cry. She didn’t think about her parents. She only thought,
“I don’t like this place. I don’t like anyone.”

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📖 Glossary

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Servants	People who work in someone’s house
Pale	Having little color in the skin
Wandered	Walked without direction
Officer	A person with a job in the army or police
Manor	A large country house
Carriage	A vehicle pulled by horses
Housekeeper	A person who manages a large house

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Where was Mary Lennox born?

2. How did her parents treat her?

3. What happened to Mary’s parents?

4. Who told Mary she had an uncle in England?

5. What is the name of the house where she will live?

6. What did Mrs. Medlock tell Mary about her uncle?

7. How did Mary feel at the end of the chapter?

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✅ Answers

1. She was born in India.

2. They ignored her and left her with servants.

3. They died from a sickness.

4. Mrs. Crawford.

5. Misselthwaite Manor.

6. That he didn’t like noise or children, and she must stay away from him.

7. She felt lonely, angry, and unhappy.