Mary Lennox was a spoiled child who lived in India but when her parents died of sickness, she moved to her uncle's house in England and found many discoveries not just of the house and her family, but also of herself. Most importantly, she discovered the secret garden locked by her uncle for a reason.
The story reminded me of my past and my fondness of gardening. There were delightful moments in the story such as when Mary started to grow her own garden:
Time slipped by as she went on weeding and clearing dead leaves and grass.
I always tell people that gardening is a sure way of being at peace. The condo where I resided many years ago restricted me from moving as I had only four vertices and lines to moved around with. I decided to live in a house even if the rental fee was much higher and I had no regrets.
Gardening became a friend and my work and walk in the garden are treasured moments. I became calmer and healthier. I was like Mary.
"This fresh air is doin' thee good. Tha's fatter and not so yeller. Tha looked like a young plucked crow when tha first came."
Another character in the book was named Colin who was bedridden for years and it was Mary who invited him to the garden. When Mary decided to show Colin the garden, it was at this moment that I cried.
Mary opened the door. Colin looked round for a long time, seeing all the things Mary had described. Then he cried out, "I shall get well! I shall live for ever and ever!" That afternoon, the whole world changed for Colin.
I remember having doubts about my abilities to do things on my own and the mean things I hear from all around me. Attending a plush university many years ago and being told by my classmates that I will not succeed because of how I am, I proved them wrong.
Colin sat up angrily. "I'm not a cripple! I'll show you!" he cried. Colin remained standing. He suddenly felt his fears leave him. "I'm not afraid any more! I'm not going to be a poor thing any more!"
The university where I came from was the garden as it was instrumental to my learnings and experiences of being a teacher. I found the secrets and shared them for many years. The doubtful and discerning classmates were the stubborn rocks and rubbish that had to be set aside.
Thus I say, "So you all said that I won't succeed because of who I am, well, I may not be your kind of people but I am the kind of person many people like to emulate."
Yes, ayoko ding makulong sa apat na sulok ng bahay / kwarto. Mas may buhay sa labas with 'mother nature' lalo na't may pagkakataon makapag-garden. Stress reliever talaga. We find 'peace' with ourselves and with God.
ReplyDeletehaven't read this sir. pero I'll try to get my own copy once my pocket's stable again. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sir Jonathan, actually hindi ko pa nababasa itong Mary and the Secret Garden na book. Pero I will based na rin my comments sa "anime" version nito titled "Mary at ang lihim na hardin"
ReplyDeleteSa pagkakatanda ko, pinasara ng Uncle ni Mary yung hardin nang tuluyan at ipinagbawal nyang pasukin ng sinoman ang lugar na iyon dahil dun namatay yung nanay ni Collin sa isang aksidente. Siguro hindi pa rin maka move on ung Uncle nya sa mapait na nangyari sa nakaraan.
Then si Collin naman, isang malungkot at sakiting bata na lagi lang nakakulong sa kanyang silid. Until nga nakilala niya si Mary na sa una ay lagi siyang sinusungitan nito. Sa tulong na rin ng ibang butihing characters sa story like si Martha (one of the maids sa mansion) ay nakuha ni Mary sa chaga si Collin at nang lumaon ay naging magkaibigan na rin sila nito. At ayun nga, natuklasan ni Mary yung secret garden at isinama nya dun si Collin. Binuhay nilang muli yung dating masayang kalagayan nung hardin. Tinaniman nila ito ng mga bulaklak at halamans :)
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Gustong gusto ko rin yung magkaroon ng sarili kong hardin. Hilig ko din ang magtanim.
Tama si fiel un una ko tlga pumasok sa isip ko!!!
ReplyDeleteFave ko to sobra nung bata ako , sana ibalik nila to sa tv!
hindi ko hilig magtanim, taga appreciate lang ako ng tanim ni tatay sa probinsya... Taga pitas at taga sira ng mga tanim nya hahaha Ang galing ko mag appreciate di ba?
ReplyDeleteI remember merong anime version yang Secret Garden...
There are so many people out there who will tell you that you can't. What you've got to do is turn around and say "WATCH ME!" - unknown
Parang ang deep nung book. I don't have interest in garden, walang tyaga sa pag-aalaga ng mga halaman. But this post make me feel otherwise tungkol sa gardening, never ko naisip na it will bring peace and harmony..
ReplyDeleteahahaha...ayan, hurray to our generation.. si mary at ang lihim na hardin din ang pumasok sa isip ko..
ReplyDeleteat ang bongga ni fiel, naalala pa nya, ako hindi na..lol
I love gardens pero gardening is not really something I like to do. Mainit daw ang kamay ko sabi ni lola kasi kahit munggo, di natubo pag ako nagtanim.. lols..
mukhang good read and book... nakaka-curious... tnx for sharing ah...
ReplyDelete@ ric - seen a part of your garden as well through your posts and yes, gardening is different compared to just staying indoors. Hindi natin nilikha ang mga halaman at insekto sa ating paligid pero nagbibigay sigla sila sa ating katauhan.
ReplyDelete@ olivr - hello, it is just a short book. Mine was even the abridged version for older children. But do read it, it's interesting.
@fiel- grabeh, summarized talaga and the story is the same as the abridged version. I didn't relaized that there is an anime version of this. It should be shown to schools because of its storyline and touches of hope and positive change. Thanks for sharing this information.
@ josh- tama, kung may ganito sa TV before, dapat ipalabas nila ulit. Best for children to see!
ReplyDelete@ mar - marami kasing mapanghusga sa ating katauhan. Masakit yung mga narinig ko nuon sa aking pamantasan pero ginawa ko siyang inspirasyon. Nawa'y yung mapanghusga nilang pananaw ay hindi nila ginagawa sa mga batang kanilang tinuturuan.
@kamilkshake - ok lang yun, hindi naman lahat eh mahilig sa iisang bagay. Tignan mo ako, hindi ako nanonood ng TV, hindi ko hilig. mas gusto ko pang magbasa ng mga blog posts.
@ yccos - kawawa naman yung munggo, ibababad na nga lang sa tubig para umusbong, namatay pa sa kamay mo, ha,ha,ha. Anyway, magaling ka sigurong magluto kasi sa kamay mo namamatay ang halaman, gets? Itanim mo na lang ang love for learning sa iyong mga mag-aaral.
@senyor- walang anuman ah.
Nabasa ko ang story about it and seen a film of it. Nakaka touch talaga.
ReplyDeleteYou know Jonathan, I can relate much to you. When I came to Norway, I applied for a course for one year. It was to have a high school diploma for those that didn't have before like me. But they denied my application. They said that I was not capable in doing it. I have to do it for 4 years like the youth students in high school.
I was so dissappointed , but didn't give up. What I did was I borrowed the books from the school, studied on my own with their language and took exams that they held for students like me. And believe it or not, I finished it with flying colors for one year:)
Hindi ko pa to nababasa pero base sa iyong pagkakakwento, it looks like a really interesting book. :)
ReplyDeleteBabasahin ko din to minsan!
@ Ms. Joy- superb and inspiring story. I always admire people who had risen up from their own obstacles and yours indeed was a great act of showing them you can do it.
ReplyDeleteI heard from one university colleague during my masteral programme that the others had been telling each other that I won't be able to succeed in life. One basis was my status in life as most of them are rich. Anyway, there will always be a clash between people wherever we go. We can never be friends with everyone.
@umi - interesting indeed, making changes within so worth a read. Thanks!
paborito ko po yang secret garden, lalo na yung pinalabas yan sa tv noon :)
ReplyDeleteang galing naman po ng isinulat niyo, pwede pa lang gawan ng reflection ang secret garden :)
...tungkol sa mga halaman, sa cactus po ako mahilig kasi di masyadong alagain hehe :)
Halos lahat kayo alam yang palabas sa TV, ako hindi. Hindi ako mahilig manood eh. Cactus, nahirapan akong alagaan kasi they needed sunny spots eh kulang ang araw sa bahay so hindi sila nag survive. Mahilig ka sa tinik, hahaha. Thanks for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteTeacher Jonathan!!
ReplyDeleteI love this book, too, and the movie. I saw the movie first, then I read the Thai translation, then I read the simplified version of classic starters collection. I read all night. Though I could never really indentify myself with any character in the book. It feels strangely wonderful to know that there are people who can.
I miss school very much and I often think of you...as well as other people. I think very dearly of the children and playground time. I am now living in an apartment and working in a building! First thing I did when I moved in was taking my friends to the Wednesday-and-Thursday plants market at Chatuchak to buy plants. My favorite plant is Aloe Vera. I call mine Grandpa and he's given birth to many tiny Aloe Veras. I was told to pick those baby Aloe Vera but I like them too much so I bought more pots and soil for them. It feels so good to feel the soil and to water my plants. It feels so alive...especially when my surrounding is most concrete. I like touching my plants gently and play guitar and sing for them. Just this morning I was admiring my Aloe Vera family and I thought they could be the firsts of my Aloe Vera plantation when I have enough money to buy a piece of land. Lol. :D
I also bought tiny plants for my office but one died. :'( So I got the exact same kind just last Sunday. I'm so not giving up! (Though I have bought a plastic bush with little red flowers just in case.)
Reading about The Secret Garden and you really does me well. Thank you. :)
Ah, you like children's classics! Just recently I have been given a chance to help condense some children's classics and turn them into new books. I'm excited about it :-) I am now almost done reviewing the manuscript for The Wizard of Oz haha.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a wonderful thing to be able to reflect on what we read. For some, stories are just stories and nothing more beyond the plot. You are blessed for being able to see beyond, to see that there is more to it than just being a story for children.
Magandang araw, Jonathan.
@ mana - thank you so much for the visit and your stories and comments about my writing, posts, and our school time together. I do wish you all the best in your new job and I was told that you are enjoying it most.
ReplyDeleteAloe Vera plants are easy to cultivate and they do not need a lot of water. besides, I know that the plant is good for our hair. You might be a businesswoman later propagating and selling the plants while supplying shampoo companies of your stocks.
@ nortehanon - I collect children's literature and I have more than 2000 in my collection. I am currently collecting Robert Sabuda's series of books and I always wish that parents will give me his books as presents :) I do ike what you do re children's lit and hopefully one day I get to see the fruits of your labour.
and yes, I do see beyond what I read. Oftentimes, the books I collect and use for teachings are dissected for their themes, relevance, organization of thoughts and a source of reflection. I can make lesson plans out of different literature.
The Secret Garden movie from 1993 directed by Agnieszka Holland is one of my favorite movies. I have not read the book though even if my daughter has a copy in her room.
ReplyDeleteI love gardening. I am not sure if it is loving me back. :D The garden from the movie is what I am trying to achieve in my backyard. ...or at least a very simple English garden. I am too far from it though.
Dear teacher Jonathan
ReplyDeleteSupplying shampoo factories sounds like a good idea but I think Aloe Vera are better EATEN...Grandpa Aloe Vera is ready...I will eat his big fleshy leaves when I get my hands on pandan leaves. Lol.
I love the book, the movie version, I love gardening and most of all I love the way you discussed the book relating to life's challenges particularly to your challenges. Another great post Jonathan. A post that reminds us that no one is entitled to hold on to our happiness or dictate what we can and can not do.
ReplyDeleteGardening is one of my favorite passion back in the province. Sadly I can't do it anymore when I live in the city...
Just like running I love to do gardening under the rain. It delights me when I wake up on weekend mornings and see that it's raining. I will immediately changed to working clothes after coffee, pick up my garden tools which are all improvised (handy shovels, empty paint/milk formula cans and all) and work under the rain. I feel that gardening is easier under the rain particularly in cultivating the soil. I feel a total communion with nature in doing that.
My father at first tried to stop me doing that habit for reason that I might get sick. But later when he saw that I was really enjoying what I'm doing, he just contented himself and sat on the terrace fronting our garden and watched me enjoy what I'm doing. From time to time he will give me some bits of advises about the plants and reminds me to be careful and not to hurt myself.
... now I'm crying and it's your fault Jonathan hu hu hu
@ Lili - I love gardening too and I try to make different lanscapes every year depending on my resources, money and plant wise. Right now, the former plants are just towering and I have no idea how to propagate them and make them smaller. But the forest like view makes me happy, though with the presence of the snakes, it makes it a dangerous walk.
ReplyDelete@ mana - I actually like the tea with aloe vera inside, crunchy to the bite, and not just all juice. I wish you all the best in your future plan and I hope to get to visit and walk through your farm.
ReplyDeleteHello Ms. Balut,
ReplyDeleteYour comment is probably the longest ever in the history of my blogging, but the story is just heart warming as your presence in here.
I never had a chance to do gardening in Manila but had wide experience in taking care of pets such as ducks, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, quails, and goats. I don't live in a farm, it just that my father wanted me to be busy all the time.
When I came here to Thailand, I decided to stay home and start gardening because I cannot afford to go around or be lazy. I needed to be occupied, in mind and spirit. Gardening helped me survived and is still giving me the peace and serenity I long in life.
I like the rain as well and had experienced planting, cleaning up while the rain was pouring. Nobody encouraged me to do so but because of my fondness to gardening and the weather that goes along within that certain day, I basked in its freshness.
I do feel your closeness to your dad which is the opposite of my relationship with mine. I envy the encouragement and support he gave you, thus making you what you are right now, a great person to your family and to others.
In the context of the book, my dad will probably be the one who ordered the garden to be shut off. You can just imagine how he was to me. I have no tears writing this but I do wanted to learn to forgive (which is very difficult).
Nakita ko na ata ito nung bata ako, sa tv na sinasabi ni fiel na Mary at ang lihim na hardin, maganda ang istorya, nakakaantig ng puso!
ReplyDeleteMasarap talaga magtanim lalo na kung sila'y namumulaklak ao namumunga na, dun mo makikita ang bunga ng pinagpaguran. meron kaming konting hardin na dinidekorasyunan ko ng mga namumulaklak na tanim at mula sa trabaho ay dito ako naglalagi at nkamasid sa mga halaman, stress reliever ko sya.
Pareho pala tayo Gracie. Sa hardin din lang ako naglalagi kesa magpunta sa mall at manood ng sine o kumain sa resto.
ReplyDeleteGustong gusto ko ang nagsasaboy ng fertilizer at nag-aayos ng mga halaman. Yung pagwawalis nga lang, nakakaalis ng stress. One sweep, one small movement, one reflection. Very zen!