The Secret Garden

Mary experiences a rebirth/metamorphosis when she has to move from her native India to Uncle Archibald's manor in England. At first, she is a caterpillar ....sour, grumpy, hateful vixen!

Mary (protagonist) encounters Martha Sowerby who sees fit to speak to her freely ...encouraging her to dress herself and eat her breakfast! Mary used to strike her ayah when she lived in India...especially when she did not agree with her. However, she will not strike Martha nor will she cross Mrs. Medlock.

Mary, a new butterfly, reaches out tentatively to Mr. Ben Weatherstaff, the gardener. First, because he knows about soil, the robin and the secret garden.

Then she begins to explore the house which is said to have a hundred rooms...she hears a cry in corridor...she follows this sound until she comes face-to-face with her cousin, Master Colin Cravens.

Colin antagonizes Mary by proving to be stubborn as she is...they form an alliance. A secret alliance that leads to improved health for them both. Colin has been bedfast and unable to walk for quite some time. However, Mary changes his mindset by choosing to visit Dickon instead of Colin. He becomes enraged but it works to his advantage...Colin begins to think of others and not focus on himself.

I would like to compare Mary with current sixth grade class. Mary came from a foreign place...India. Our sixth graders came from all different parts of our county. Mary begins to thrive in her new surroundings...just as you are beginning to make progress here at HCMS. It is difficult for Mary to not be cantankerous because she has many expectations regarding her behavior... The current sixth grade also has high expectations concerning their academic performance ( doing quality work and completing it ON TIME)...It has not been easy for some of you to grow used to your new teachers/surroundings.

As Winston Churchill once said, "Never give up!" I would encourage you to do the same. Mary's goal was to become fitter and find the key unlocking the 'secret garden'. Your challenge is to decide that you will work HARD and improve your grammar,writing and overall reading comprehension. Just as Mary succeeded, so can you!