THE SECRET GARDEN

Where You Tend A Rose, My Lad, A Thistle Cannot Grow.

A story of rejuvenation and total transformation, such as the story of The Secret Garden. Frances takes us on a journey full of great transformation and full of compassion. The story begins with Mary Lennox´s spoilt, rude, self-centered, and stubborn nature. This is a result of being isolated and unloved by her parents, who later die from cholera when she was only ten years old. Mary was tended to by servants who spoilt her too much to avoid tantrums.

The author shows us how Mary has to leave her home to live with an uncle she has never met in England. In her resentment, she hates her uncle and his mansion. But within a short time she warms up to a servant who tells her of the secret garden that was tended by her aunt before she died.

Mary transforms into this lovable, considerate and curious girl. She finds the buried key to the secret garden and with the help of Dickon, the boy she grew to like so much started tending the garden. While at it, Mary discovers Colin her cousin, with a spine condition. Colin, just like Mary was, is rude, self-centered, and inconsiderate. He has been hidden from the world for most of his years.

Colin warms up to Mary, and they even gets a chance to visit the secret garden. Colin's experience rejuvenates him and he learns that he is not crippled but could stand on his feet. Mary helps Colin regain his health, and together with Dickon, they continued tending the secret garden

Where you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow was a phrase the author has used in the book to depict how when something is tended to with love and compassion, it blossoms again.

Frances Eliza Hodgson Burnet (24 November 1849 - 29 October 1924) is a Victorian author. She was a successful novelist, playwright, and children´s author. She published the book in 1911 after having it as serials in the American magazine.