Chapter I: There is no one left

When Mary Lennox went to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle, everyone said she was a very plain child.She had a small, thin face, a small body, light hair, and looked unhappy.Her hair and face were yellow because she was born in India and was often sick.Her father worked for the English Government and was always busy and sick.Her mother loved parties and did not want a daughter.So, when Mary was born, she was given to an Ayah to take care of.The Ayah kept Mary away because her mother did not want to see her.As a baby and a little girl, Mary was always ill and unhappy.She only saw her Ayah and other servants who did everything she wanted.By six, she was very selfish and bossy.

Her English governesses did not like her.They left soon because Mary was difficult.If Mary did not really want to learn to read, she would never have learned.

One hot morning, when she was nine, Mary woke up feeling very grumpy.She was angrier when she saw a different servant, not her Ayah."Why are you here?"she asked."I want my Ayah."

The servant was scared and said the Ayah could not come.Mary got very angry and shouted at her.The servant repeated that the Ayah could not come.

That morning was strange.Everything was different.Some servants were missing, and others looked scared.But no one told Mary anything.She was alone and went to the garden.She played, pretending to plant flowers.She was still angry and thought of what she would say to her Ayah.

She called her Ayah names, the worst she knew.

Then she saw her mother on the veranda with a young man.Mary stared at them.Her mother was very pretty but looked scared.Mary listened to them talk about something bad.Her mother was worried because she stayed for a party.Suddenly, there was loud crying from the servants' houses.Mary was scared.The young man said someone had died.Her mother ran into the house.

Mary learned that the cholera disease was making people very sick.Many were dying.Her Ayah died, and other servants too.Some ran away.The house was full of fear.

Mary hid in the nursery.Everyone forgot about her.She was alone, hearing scary sounds.She ate some food and drank wine, which made her very sleepy.She slept a long time.

When she woke up, the house was silent.She wondered if everyone was better now.She saw a small snake but was not scared.She heard men's footsteps and voices.They were surprised to see her.She felt forgotten and was hungry and upset."I am Mary Lennox," she said."Why does nobody come?"

The men realized she was forgotten.They told her there was no one left to come.Mary found out her parents had died and the servants had left.She was alone except for the little snake.