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Dramatic Reading
By Francis Hodgson
The enchanting story of Mary Lenox, who comes to live at Mistelthwaite Manor, as the ward of a wealthy family friend, Mr. Archibald Craven. The reading begins with her frightening first encounter with Mr. Craven, and then transitions to her request to restore the neglected secret garden that she and her new friend Dicken have discovered. A very cute scene follows in which she discovers Collin, the little boy kept locked away in another wing of the house. As the story progresses, Dicken and Mary manage to help Collin overcome his fears, and learn to enjoy the outdoors, and the three children learn valuable lessons from each other, as they restore their precious secret garden. The reading ends with Mary returning to the garden after she has grown up and gone through World War II. She begins to reminisce on her childhood, and is surprised by Collin, who tells her of Dicken's death in the War, and then asks her to marry him. Lots of characters, all use British accents. Difficult because it requires three British children, each one with a unique personality and voice quality, plus, the grouchy old man. A real winner!

10 - 12 min.