The Secret Garden of Lost Things

By Noelle Lilley

In The Secret Garden of Lost Things, a group of adventurous children stumbles upon a forgotten garden hidden behind a towering stone wall.

As they explore its overgrown paths and hidden corners, they uncover lost objects that are tied to long-forgotten memories. Each item they find is part of an ancient legend, and with every clue, they unlock secrets of the past.

Solving riddles and facing challenges, they must work together to restore these memories to their rightful owners. Along the way, they discover the power of teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of cherishing what is lost, but not forgotten.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Good Child Bookstore
• Release date: Jan 26, 2025

Book preview

The Secret Garden of Lost Things

Adventure Series

Noelle Lilley

Published by The Good Child Bookstore, 2025

Copyright

Published by The Good Child Bookstore

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

All rights reserved © 2025, Good Child Bookstore.

Preface

There’s something magical about forgotten things, don’t you think? The way they lie in corners, gathering dust, waiting for someone to remember them.

The Secret Garden of Lost Things takes you to a hidden world where these forgotten treasures hold the key to long-lost memories. Meet Theo, Sam, Ezra, and Brenda, four curious friends who stumble upon an overgrown garden, unaware of the incredible adventure that awaits them. What begins as a simple exploration soon turns into a race against time to solve riddles, restore lost memories, and discover what truly makes a memory worth saving.

This story is for anyone who’s ever wondered what happens to the things we forget – and what they can teach us if we only take the time to remember.

Contents

Chapter 1: The Wall of Secrets

Chapter 2: The First Forgotten Thing

Chapter 3: The Puddle That Talks

Chapter 4: The Whispering Wind

Chapter 5: The Lost Kite

Chapter 6: The Timeworn Book

Chapter 7: The Trickster in the Tree

Chapter 8: The Door That Wasn’t

Chapter 9: The Memory Tree

Chapter 10: The Watchful Eye

Chapter 11: The Memory of the Forgotten

Chapter 12: The Garden’s Legacy

Chapter 13: The Return of the Sunflower

Chapter 14: The Path Forward

Chapter 15: The Garden of Dreams

Chapter 16: The Last Riddle

Chapter 17: The Garden's Echo

Chapter 18: The Seeds of Tomorrow

Chapter 19: The Heart of the Garden

Chapter 20: The Eternal Bloom

Chapter 21: The Garden Beyond

Chapter 22: The Garden of Echoes

Chapter 23: The Blooming Path

Chapter 24: The Infinite Garden

Chapter 25: The Circle of Stories

THE END

Chapter 1: The Wall of Secrets

Theo had always considered himself a little bit of an explorer. He wasn’t sure when it all started, but ever since he could remember, he had been fascinated by things that were hidden, forgotten, or just out of sight. It didn’t take long for his two best friends, Sam and Ezra, to get roped into his latest escapades. So, when Theo discovered a forgotten path behind a row of towering hedges in their neighborhood, there was no turning back.

Look at this! Theo shouted, his voice filled with excitement. He waved his hand dramatically, gesturing to a stone wall that had been overtaken by ivy. To anyone else, it probably seemed like just another wall. But to Theo, it was a mystery begging to be unraveled.

Uh, Theo? What exactly are we looking at? Sam asked, adjusting his glasses and eyeing the ivy-covered structure with a raised eyebrow. He was always the logical one, the one who read books about nature and the world, always searching for explanations. When it came to curiosity, Sam’s reaction was more cautious than Theo’s, but that’s exactly why they made a good team.

Ezra, on the other hand, didn’t ask questions. He just had a tendency to follow wherever the wind— or Theo’s wild ideas— took him. Yeah, let’s see what’s behind it! Ezra grinned, pushing his way through a patch of brambles and moving straight toward the wall. You never know what might be hidden!

Theo gave him a nod of approval. Exactly! He was already running his fingers over the stones, pressing them in various places like a mad scientist working on an experiment. There had to be a way through this wall. A secret entrance, maybe. Or a hidden lever. It was the kind of thing Theo had seen in adventure books.

Sam folded his arms. You know, that wall looks really solid. And the ivy is probably hiding cracks—

Shh! Theo interrupted, holding up a finger. I think I found something!

Sure enough, between two massive vines, Theo discovered a small iron ring embedded in the stone. He tugged it, and with a slight creak, part of the wall shifted, revealing a narrow, dark passageway leading into the unknown.

This is amazing! Theo exclaimed, stepping back. I knew it. This is where the adventure starts.

Ezra, ever the brave one, didn’t wait another second. He pushed past Theo and Sam, his eyes wide with excitement. You’re right! This is it! Who knows what’s waiting on the other side?

Sam hesitated. He had a feeling they were about to get into something far bigger than they’d anticipated. But then again, when was the last time they had an adventure? Alright, alright, he said with a sigh, rolling his eyes. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when we get lost.

With a final glance at Sam, Theo took the first step into the darkened tunnel, followed by Ezra. Sam reluctantly followed suit, shaking his head and muttering something about the importance of being careful. They walked for what felt like hours, twisting and turning through the narrow corridor until they finally emerged into a much larger space.

The air in the garden was thick with mystery. It smelled like earth and something older than time itself. The trio stood at the entrance of a vast, overgrown garden, their eyes wide as they took in the scene before them. The garden was a tangled mess of vines, wildflowers, and ancient trees. It looked like a place that hadn’t been visited in centuries.

Theo, naturally, was the first to break the silence. This is incredible! Look at all this! He gestured widely, taking in the endless expanse of green and untamed beauty. There were rusted garden tools half-buried in the dirt, broken stone statues hidden by creeping ivy, and even a few forgotten objects scattered along the path— things that didn’t seem to belong in a normal garden.

Sam was looking at something a little different. He was staring at the twisted trees, as though they were whispering to him. I have a feeling there’s more to this place than just… plants, he muttered.

Ezra, who had already started wandering off, was laughing as he poked at a tangle of vines. This place is like a treasure hunt! What do you think we’ll find here, Theo? Ancient relics? Lost jewelry? Maybe an old chest of gold?

Theo grinned. Well, we’ve already got the first part— a mysterious hidden garden. Why not gold? He started walking forward, his eyes scanning the strange landscape. Come on! Let’s see what’s hidden here. There has to be something amazing.

As they walked deeper into the garden, the feeling of being watched crept over them. It wasn’t just the wild nature that was odd— it was the fact that everything seemed forgotten, abandoned, and yet somehow… alive. It was almost as though the garden itself was waiting for them.

After some time, they came upon a strange object lying in the middle of the overgrown pathway. It was a toy— a wooden horse, its paint chipped and faded. Theo bent down and picked it up carefully, studying it. It was strange. The horse wasn’t just a toy; it felt as though it had a story to tell, as if it had been waiting for someone to find it.

Look at this, Theo said, holding the horse out to Sam and Ezra. This feels important. But why is it here, in the middle of nowhere?

Sam looked at it curiously. That’s odd. It’s not just a toy, right? I feel like there’s something about it… maybe it’s connected to whatever happened here.

Ezra, who had been poking around the garden, suddenly stopped and looked back at them. Hey! Did you guys hear that? It sounded like a voice. A soft whisper, almost like someone calling out.

Whispers? In this place? Sam asked skeptically.

No, really! Ezra insisted. It was like… like something was telling me to go this way. He pointed down a narrow path that led deeper into the garden, past a thicket of thorny bushes.

Theo nodded. Well, it looks like we’ve got our first clue. Let’s follow it.

The three of them started walking down the path, the toy horse in Theo’s hand. The whispers seemed to grow louder as they ventured deeper into the garden, and the air around them began to feel heavier, like they were stepping into a forgotten world. It was a world full of stories, memories, and perhaps, the lost things that needed to be found again.

Chapter 2: The First Forgotten Thing

The overgrown path stretched ahead like a secret waiting to be discovered, and the children walked in a loose formation, the air filled with the earthy scent of moss and wildflowers. Theo led the way, holding the forgotten wooden horse tightly in his hand. The toy had an old-fashioned charm, but it wasn’t just its antique appearance that intrigued him. It was the sense of mystery it carried. It seemed to have its own history, one that could only be unlocked by the right person— or in this case, by the right group of kids.

Do you think this horse belonged to someone important? Sam asked, squinting at the toy in Theo’s hand. He had a habit of overthinking things, which was both a gift and a curse.

Theo shrugged, still studying the toy. Maybe. It feels like it should belong to someone. I don’t know. It’s just… off, you know?

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