Mary, Mary quite contrary

Mary threw her school bag over her shoulder and ran as fast as she could down the path. She was late again. She deliberately bumped into several people on her way, not in the mood to slow down and avoid obstacles that blocked her. 1

Running through the main school doors, she saw that class had already begun. She located her classroom and slipped into her seat. Katrina, the person who was sitting next to Mary, laughed and pointed at her shoe. Mary looked down, annoyed to see that she had stepped in something very unpleasant on her way there. She scowled at Katrina.2

"Horrible girl," she muttered under her breath.3

Unfortunately, Miss Wood, their teacher, turned around. She ignored what Mary had said and just shook her head at her.4

By the end of the day, Mary found that she had made quite a few enemies. Katrina was one of them, of course, but Lily now seemed to hate her as well. Mary didn't care that she was spiteful and nasty to everybody, she thought that she was the only one in the whole world that mattered. She held her head high and walked home.5

As she arrived back, her mother greeted her with an angry look at the doorway. 6

"You!" she shouted, holding up a long, black skirt that seemed to be covered in some sort of liquid, "You spilt orange juice on this!"7

Mary nodded her head and grinned. She loved messing about. She pushed past her mother and strolled out into the back garden, just as if nothing had happened. 8

She sat down next to the flowers and stroked their petals. The only thing she really liked was gardening. It made her feel happy. She pulled out several little dolls from her bag and lined them up in a row.9

Her mother peered out of the window at her. She quickly walked down the stairs and into the garden.10

"Mary!" she called, rushing up to her.11

Mary raised her head slightly.12

"Do you know what you remind me of?" she asked.13

"No."14

"There's this poem that my mum always used to tell me;15

Mary, Mary quite contrary,16

How does your garden grow?17

With silver bells and cockle shells18

And pretty maids all in a row."19

Mary looked up and smiled. That sounded just like her.