The Hidden Garden
a retelling of The Secret Garden
edited by Jane Mouttet
Chapter 21 – Best Spring Ever
Sometimes, in special moments, you feel like you could live forever. It happens when the sky is just starting to brighten at dawn, or when you’re alone in the woods at sunset, with golden light shining through the trees. It feels like the whole world is whispering something amazing, but you can’t quite hear it. Or maybe you feel it when you look up at the night sky filled with stars, or when you hear beautiful music, or when you see something special in someone’s eyes.
That’s how Colin felt the first time he saw spring inside the secret garden. It seemed like the entire world was doing its best to be perfect just for him. The garden was bursting with blossoms, sunshine, and soft breezes, as if the spring had come just for that one afternoon to make Colin feel alive again. Dickon often paused to take it all in, a look of wonder in his eyes.
“This is the best day I’ve ever seen,” Dickon said, shaking his head. “I’ve lived through a lot of spring days, but this one is special.”
“Yes, it’s the best day ever!” Mary added, sighing with happiness.
Colin, feeling dreamy, looked around the garden. “Do you think it’s all like this… just for me?”
“My goodness!” said Mary, impressed. “That’s some good Yorkshire you’re speaking, Colin!”
They were all filled with joy.
They rolled Colin’s chair under a plum tree that was covered in white blossoms, with bees buzzing all around. It was like a magical canopy, with blue sky peeking through the branches. Mary and Dickon busied themselves in the garden, showing Colin different buds, twigs, and feathers they found. Dickon pushed the chair slowly, giving Colin a grand tour of the garden’s hidden treasures. It felt like being shown a magical kingdom full of wonders.
“Do you think we’ll see the robin?” Colin asked.
“You’ll see him plenty once the eggs hatch,” Dickon replied. “He’ll be so busy bringing worms to his babies that his head will spin! There’ll be so many open beaks squawking for food, he won’t know which one to feed first.”
They all giggled as they tried their best to keep quiet. Colin had learned the rules about whispering in the garden, but it was hard to stay quiet when they were having so much fun.
The afternoon passed, filled with new things to discover. The sun grew warmer, and the garden felt like a peaceful, golden paradise. They sat under the tree again, and Dickon pulled out his pipe to play a tune. Colin suddenly noticed something.
“That tree over there… it looks ancient. Is it dead?” Colin asked, pointing.
Dickon looked at the tree and nodded. “Yes, it’s old, but the roses that climb over it will cover it in leaves and flowers soon. It won’t look dead then.”
Mary stared at the tree, thinking hard.
“It looks like a branch broke off a long time ago,” Colin said.
“It did, years ago,” Dickon replied. “Look, there’s the robin!” he added quickly, spotting the bird flying into a corner with something in its beak. Colin just caught sight of it.
“He’s taking food to his mate!” Colin laughed. “I think I’d like some tea myself.”
And so, they were safe. The robin had arrived just in time, distracting Colin from asking any more about the broken tree. Mary whispered to Dickon later, “It was Magic! The robin came just when we needed him.”
Mary believed in Magic. She thought Dickon had a bit of Magic in him, too, especially the way animals and people seemed to trust him. She even wondered if his Magic had brought the robin at just the right moment. Throughout the afternoon, Colin looked like a different boy. He wasn’t pale and sickly anymore—his skin had a rosy glow, and he seemed full of life.
As they watched the robin feed its mate, Colin decided they should have tea, too. He ordered one of the servants to bring a basket of tea and food to the garden. When the white cloth was laid on the grass and the tea was ready, they all enjoyed a delicious meal of hot tea, toast, and crumpets. Even the birds and animals joined in, picking up crumbs and enjoying the treat.
As the sun began to set, casting long golden beams across the garden, they packed up the tea basket. Colin was lying back, looking peaceful and happy.
“I don’t want this day to end,” he said, “but I’ll come back tomorrow, and the day after that, and every day.”
“You’ll get plenty of fresh air,” Mary said.
“I’m going to get nothing but fresh air,” Colin replied. “I’ve seen spring now, and I’m going to see summer. I’m going to watch everything grow, and I’m going to grow too.”
“You will!” Dickon said. “Before long, you’ll be walking and digging in the garden just like the rest of us.”
Colin’s face lit up. “Walk? Dig? Do you think I will?”
“Of course, you will,” Dickon said confidently. “You’ve got legs, just like everyone else!”
Mary held her breath, nervous to hear Colin’s answer.
“There’s nothing wrong with my legs,” Colin said. “They’re just weak because I’ve never used them.”
Both Mary and Dickon sighed with relief.
“When you stop being afraid, you’ll be able to stand on them,” Dickon said. “And you’ll stop being afraid soon enough.”
“Do you think so?” Colin asked, as if wondering what his future might hold.
They were quiet for a while, enjoying the peacefulness of the garden. Even the animals had calmed down, resting nearby. Suddenly, Colin sat up and whispered, “Who is that man?”
Mary and Dickon jumped to their feet. “Who?” they asked, looking around.
Colin pointed to the wall. “Look! Over there!”
Peeking over the wall was none other than Ben Weatherstaff, the old gardener, glaring at them from the top of a ladder. He shook his fist at Mary.
“If I weren’t an old bachelor,” he growled, “I’d give you a good talking to! How did you get in here?”
Mary ran toward him. “It was the robin who showed me the way!” she shouted back.
Ben was so angry he looked like he might climb down and scold her, but then he stopped, his jaw dropping. He had seen something that made him forget his anger.
Colin, who had been watching in surprise, waved to Dickon. “Push me over there!” he commanded.
When Ben saw Colin in his fancy wheelchair, looking regal and important, he was utterly shocked. His mouth hung open, and he couldn’t speak.
“Do you know who I am?” Colin demanded, staring at him with fierce eyes.
Ben gulped, still staring at the boy in disbelief. “Aye, that I do,” he stammered. “You’re the poor, crippled boy.”
Colin’s face turned red with anger. “I’m not a cripple!” he shouted.
“He’s not!” Mary yelled. “He’s not sick at all!”
Ben was so confused that he didn’t know what to say. “You mean, you don’t have a crooked back?” he asked.
“No!” Colin shouted back.
Ben looked even more confused. “You don’t have crooked legs either?”
That was too much for Colin. His anger gave him strength, and he began to throw off the blankets covering his legs. “Help me, Dickon!” he shouted.
With Dickon’s help, Colin stood up. He stood tall and straight, looking down at Ben with flashing eyes.
“Look at me!” Colin shouted. “I’m standing!”
Ben stared in amazement. “He’s as straight as any lad in Yorkshire!” Dickon said proudly.
Ben was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes. “The lies people tell!” he cried. “You’ll grow up strong, my boy. God bless you!”
Colin stood proudly, looking taller and stronger than ever. “I’m your master when my father is away,” he said. “You must obey me. This is my garden. Go out to the Long Walk, and Miss Mary will bring you here. I want to talk to you. Be quick about it!”
Ben, still overwhelmed, touched his cap and said, “Yes, sir. Yes, sir,” and climbed down the ladder.
Chapter 22 – Walking and Digging
When Ben Weatherstaff disappeared over the wall, Colin turned to Mary. “Go meet him,” he said, and Mary quickly ran across the garden to the door covered in ivy.
Dickon kept watching Colin closely. His cheeks were red, but he still looked strong and determined. “I can stand,” Colin said proudly, standing tall.
“I told you you could, once you stopped being scared,” said Dickon with a big grin. “And now you have!”
“Yes, I’ve stopped being scared,” Colin said. Then, remembering something Mary had said, he asked, “Are you doing Magic?”
Dickon’s face lit up with a smile. “You’re the one doing Magic,” he said. “It’s the same Magic that makes the flowers grow out of the earth,” he added, pointing to a patch of crocuses blooming in the grass.
Colin looked at the flowers, thinking hard. “Yes,” he said slowly, “there couldn’t be any bigger Magic than that.”
He straightened up even more and looked proud. “I’m going to walk to that tree,” he said, pointing to a tree nearby. “I’ll be standing there when Ben Weatherstaff gets here. I can lean on the tree if I need to, but I won’t sit down until I decide.”
He walked toward the tree, Dickon holding his arm, but Colin remained steady on his feet. When he reached the tree, he leaned against it, but he still looked tall and straight.
When Ben Weatherstaff entered the garden, he saw Colin standing under the tree. He heard Mary whispering something as she watched.
“What are you saying?” Ben asked, a little grumpy, because he didn’t want to take his eyes off Colin, who was standing tall.
Mary didn’t answer him. She was actually whispering to Colin: “You can do it! You can do it! I told you so!” She was trying to encourage him with her words, hoping the Magic would keep him standing tall. She didn’t want Colin to give up in front of Ben.
Colin didn’t give up. In fact, as Ben approached, Mary thought Colin looked almost beautiful, standing there so proud. Colin’s eyes locked onto Ben’s, and in his royal voice, he commanded, “Look at me! Am I a hunchback? Do I have crooked legs?”
Ben was still a bit shaken, but he answered in his usual grumpy way. “Not a bit of it!” he said. “What’ve you been doing with yourself, hiding away and letting folks think you were a cripple?”
“Everyone thought I was going to die,” Colin said firmly. “But I’m not!”
Ben looked Colin up and down, and a smile spread across his face. “Die? Not you! You’ve got too much fight in you!” he said with a mix of pride and relief. “Now sit down and tell me what to do.”
Ben’s grumpy but caring manner made Mary smile. On the way down the Long Walk, she had hurriedly told him everything about Colin getting better and how the garden was helping. She made sure to tell Ben not to mention Colin’s illness or death.
Colin finally sat down on the rug Dickon had spread under the tree. “What do you do in the garden, Ben Weatherstaff?” he asked.
“Whatever I’m told to,” Ben answered, “I’m kept on because she liked me.”
“She?” Colin asked.
“Your mother,” Ben replied. “This was her garden.”
Colin looked around thoughtfully. “It’s mine now,” he said softly. “I love it, and I’ll come here every day. But it’s a secret. No one is to know. I’ll send for you sometimes to help, but you must come when no one can see you.”
Ben’s wrinkled face twisted into a small smile. “I’ve been coming here when no one could see me for years,” he said.
“What?” Colin exclaimed. “When?”
“Last time was two years ago,” Ben said, scratching his chin.
“But no one’s been here for ten years!” Colin said, confused.
“I’m no one,” Ben said with a wink. “And I didn’t use the door. I came over the wall. My old bones wouldn’t let me climb last year, but I used to come every year to take care of her roses.”
“You did the pruning!” cried Dickon. “I wondered how it was done.”
“She loved this garden,” Ben said softly. “She told me once, ‘Ben, if I ever get sick or go away, take care of my roses.’ So I did, even though no one was supposed to come here.”
“I’m glad you did,” Colin said. “Now you’ll know how to keep the secret.”
“Aye, I will,” Ben replied, “and it’ll be easier for an old man like me to use the door.”
Nearby, Mary had dropped her trowel. Colin reached for it and began to dig at the soil with a determined look on his face. His hands were thin, but after a few tries, he started turning the soil over. Mary watched, barely able to breathe, whispering to herself, “You can do it! I know you can!”
Dickon and Ben watched him too, saying nothing. Colin kept digging, and soon he spoke to Dickon in his best Yorkshire accent. “You said I’d be walking and digging in this garden. I thought you were just saying that to make me feel better. But here I am—walking and digging!”
Ben’s mouth dropped open, and then he chuckled. “Well, I’ll be!” he said. “You’ve got some sense in that head of yours. You’re a Yorkshire lad through and through.”
“How would you like to plant something?” Ben asked. “I’ll fetch you a rose in a pot.”
“Go get it! Quick, quick!” Colin said, full of excitement.
Ben hurried off, forgetting all about his rheumatism. Dickon took over digging the hole, making it deeper and wider. Mary fetched a watering can, and soon, Ben returned with the rosebush.
Ben knelt by the hole and carefully broke the pot away from the roots. “Here, lad,” he said, handing the plant to Colin. “You plant it yourself, just like a king planting a new garden.”
Colin’s hands shook a little, but his face was glowing with excitement. He placed the rosebush in the hole while Ben and Dickon helped steady it. They packed the soil around it, and Colin smiled triumphantly.
“It’s planted!” Colin said proudly. “And the sun is almost gone. Help me up, Dickon. I want to stand when it sets. That’s part of the Magic.”
With Dickon’s help, Colin stood up. As the sun dipped below the horizon, ending the most wonderful afternoon, Colin stood tall, laughing in the last golden rays of sunlight.
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