Narrated by Andre Baum

Mary was the beloved daughter of a sailor and his wife who lived on a hill close to the sea. She was called "Mistress Mary, quite contrary" because she was a contrary child who often did the exact opposite of what she was told. But her parents loved her and knew that she would someday grow out of this peevish behavior. One day her father and brothers set off on a long sea journey and she asked him when he would return. He replied that they would be away for the time that it took for a garden of cowslips, dingle bells, and cockle shells to sprout, grow, blossom, and wither and die away again.

After he left, Mistress Mary decided to plant a garden of these flowers to find out when her father and brothers would return. Did it happen as was predicted? Listen to this delightful story to see if Mary learned to not be so contrary.