Mary is a 10 year old girl that is neglected and unloved by her wealthy British parents. Born in British India, she is looked after by the servants. She becomes spoilt. Her parents die from a cholera epidemic, whereupon, the servants flee the household. Mary is discovered by British soldiers where she is put in temporary care of an English clergyman. She is then sent to England to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven who turns out to be a hunchback to live a new life. She is upset and rude but after some time becomes acquainted with the people and her surroundings and the mystery that lies ahead with the Secret Garden.