🌿 The Secret Garden – Chapter 8: The Cry in the Night (Again)

Mary felt stronger every day.

Working in the garden gave her energy, and spending time with Dickon made her smile more. Her face was rounder now, her eyes brighter. Martha noticed the change too.

“You look almost pretty,” Martha said one morning. “You’ve got color in your cheeks.”

Mary laughed. She didn’t care much about being pretty, but she liked feeling happy.

That night, the wind was quiet. Mary slept well—until a soft sound woke her.

It was the same sound she had heard weeks ago.

A child crying.

This time, she didn’t hesitate. She got out of bed, lit a small candle, and opened her door. The hallway was cold and dark, but she walked bravely.

The sound was louder now. She followed it past many doors, around a corner, and down another hall.

Then—she stopped.

There was a door at the end, slightly open.

She pushed it gently.

Inside, she saw a large bed, heavy curtains, and—on the pillows—a pale boy.

He had dark hair and big eyes filled with tears.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I’m Mary Lennox,” she said. “I live here too. Who are you?”

“I’m Colin Craven,” he whispered. “Mr. Craven is my father.”

Mary was shocked. This was the secret child. The one no one talked about. The one who cried at night.

“Why are you crying?” she asked softly.

“I’m always ill,” Colin said. “They say I won’t grow strong. I might die. That’s why I stay in bed.”

Mary looked at him closely. He was thin, but his eyes were sharp. She saw more sadness than sickness.

“I don’t think you’ll die,” she said. “You just need fresh air and something to care about.”

Colin stared at her. “You’re not afraid of me?”

“No,” Mary said. “And I know a secret. Would you like to hear it?”

Colin nodded slowly.

Mary leaned in and whispered, “I found the secret garden.”

His eyes grew wide. “The one my mother loved?”

“Yes. It’s not dead. It’s alive—and I’m helping it grow.”

Colin’s lips trembled. “Will you take me there one day?”

Mary smiled. “Yes. But you must promise not to tell anyone. It’s our secret now.”

Colin smiled too—for the first time in a long while.

That night, Mary returned to bed feeling full of hope.

She had shared the garden with Dickon.
Now she had shared it with Colin.
And something inside her said—this was just the beginning.

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📖 Glossary

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Hesitate	To pause or wait before doing something
Curtains	Cloth used to cover windows or beds
Pale	Very light skin color, often from illness
Trembled	Shook slightly, often from emotion
Secret child	Someone kept hidden from others
Hope	A feeling that good things will happen

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. How has Mary changed since working in the garden?

2. What wakes her in the night?

3. Who does Mary find behind the door?

4. What does Colin say about his health?

5. How does Mary react to Colin?

6. What secret does she tell him?

7. What do they promise to each other?

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✅ Answers

1. She looks healthier and happier.

2. The sound of a child crying.

3. Colin Craven, Mr. Craven’s hidden son.

4. He says he is always sick and might die.

5. She is not afraid—she speaks kindly and directly.

6. That she found the secret garden.

7. That they will keep the garden a secret, and she’ll take him there one day.

 

📝 How to Use the Verb “To Be” with Adverbs (B1–B2 English)

One of the most common verbs in English is “to be” — and it's also one of the most important! But did you know that using it correctly with adverbs can make your English sound much more natural and accurate?

🔍 What is the Verb “To Be”?

The verb “to be” helps describe states, feelings, identity, time, and location. Its forms include:

• Present: am, is, are

• Past: was, were

• Perfect: has/have been

• Future: will be

Examples:

• She is a teacher.

• They were tired.

• We have been busy.

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🧠 Can You Use Adverbs with “To Be”?

Yes! Many adverbs work with the verb “to be.” These adverbs describe how, when, how often, or to what degree the state happens.

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🗂️ Common Types of Adverbs with “To Be”

1. Adverbs of Frequency

Tell how often something happens.

✅ Placement: after the verb “to be”

Examples:

• He is always late.

• They are never rude.

• She was often tired after work.

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2. Adverbs of Degree

Describe intensity or extent.

✅ Placement: before the adjective or past participle

Examples:

• I am completely ready.

• She is very happy.

• We were almost finished.

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3. Adverbs of Time

Tell when something happens.

✅ Placement: usually at the end of the sentence

Examples:

• They were at home yesterday.

• She is at the office now.

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4. Adverbs of Place

Tell where something happens.

✅ Placement: often at the end

Examples:

• The books are here.

• He was outside.

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⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ He always is late.
✅ He is always late.

❌ She is very much tired.
✅ She is very tired.

❌ They were at the beach often.
✅ They were often at the beach.

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✏️ Quick Practice

Try completing these with the correct placement of the adverb:

1. I ___ (always) am happy. → ❌

2. She is ___ (really) excited. → ✅

3. They are ___ (often) in the kitchen. → ✅

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✅ Summary: Placement Rules

Adverb Type	Example	Placement
Frequency	He is always busy.	After “to be”
Degree	She is very tired.	Before adjective/participle
Time	He was at work yesterday.	Usually at the end
Place	The keys are here.	Usually at the end

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🎯 Final Tip

The verb “to be” is simple — but combining it with the right adverb in the right place can take your English to the next level. Keep practicing and pay attention to patterns when reading or listening to English!

 

🌿 The Secret Garden – Chapter 7: A Young Gardener

Mary now spent most of her time in the garden. Each morning, she visited the hidden place with her key and closed the door behind her. She loved the quiet sounds—the wind, the birds, the rustling leaves.

Every day, the garden looked a little more alive. Tiny green buds appeared. The grass grew greener. Flowers started to wake up.

But Mary didn’t know how to do everything. She needed help.

One morning, while talking to Martha, she asked, “Is there anyone who knows how to plant flowers? A boy, maybe?”

Martha smiled. “There’s my brother, Dickon. He’s twelve. He loves animals and growing things. Animals follow him around like he’s one of them.”

“Could I meet him?” Mary asked quickly.

“I’ll tell him to come see you,” said Martha.

A few days later, Mary heard footsteps near the garden wall. She peeked out and saw a boy with a kind face and messy hair. A fox followed him, and a crow sat on his shoulder.

“Are you Dickon?” she asked.

He smiled. “That’s me. You must be the girl Martha talks about.”

Mary opened the gate to let him in. “Do you want to see something secret?”

Dickon’s eyes lit up. “I love secrets.”

Mary led him through the ivy-covered door.

He stopped and looked around. “This is the secret garden?”

“Yes,” she said softly. “I found the key. I’ve been working here, but I don’t know much about plants.”

Dickon knelt down, touching the earth. He looked at the trees, the flower beds, and the climbing vines.

“This garden isn’t dead,” he said. “It’s just sleeping.”

“Can you help me wake it up?” Mary asked.

“With joy,” he said. “We’ll make it come alive again.”

The two children began to work side by side. Dickon showed her how to plant seeds, how to water roots, and how to speak kindly to flowers.

The robin sang above them, flying from branch to branch.

“Even the birds know something good is happening here,” Dickon said.

That evening, Mary returned to the house tired but happy.

She had a friend now—not just a bird or a garden—but a real friend who shared her secret.

And the garden was no longer just a mystery.
It was a place of hope.

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📖 Glossary

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Buds	Small parts of a plant that become leaves or flowers
Rustling	Soft sounds made by leaves or grass in the wind
Messy hair	Hair that isn’t tidy or brushed
Knelt	Went down on one or both knees
With joy	Happily, gladly
Hope	A feeling that good things are coming

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. What does Mary do each morning?

2. Who is Dickon, and what is special about him?

3. What animals come with Dickon?

4. How does Dickon feel about secrets?

5. What does Dickon say about the garden?

6. What does he help Mary do?

7. How does Mary feel by the end of the chapter?

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✅ Answers

1. She visits the secret garden.

2. He is Martha’s brother, and he is good with animals and plants.

3. A fox and a crow.

4. He says he loves secrets.

5. That it isn’t dead—it’s sleeping.

6. He teaches her to garden and helps her care for the plants.

7. Happy and no longer alone—she has a real friend.