Tom's Midnight Garden - Chapters 11 and 12 - Reading Comprehension

In chapters 11 and 12 of "Tom's Midnight Garden," Tom imparts his knowledge to Hatty by teaching her how to skate. Despite the mishap of a broken greenhouse window, Abel refrains from informing Hatty's aunt, likely to protect Hatty from her aunt's wrath. Tom, accustomed to a grander vision of rivers, finds himself underwhelmed by the river in Hatty's time, which does not live up to his expectations. The geese, driven by their instinct, attempt to enter the kitchen-garden in search of sustenance, but in the process, they wreak havoc, damaging the garden significantly.

Meanwhile, Edgar suggests that Hatty created the tunnel out of sheer boredom, a reflection of her lonely life. Witnessing Hatty's aunt's cruelty towards her, Tom is consumed by a sense of helplessness and distress. On one occasion, Tom discovers a young Hatty sobbing, a poignant moment that underscores her emotional turmoil. The phrase "She envied the waters their endless journeying" captures Hatty's longing for freedom and adventure, much like the ceaseless flow of the river. In summarising these chapters, we see Tom and Hatty's friendship deepen amidst the backdrop of childhood adventures and the harsh realities of Hatty's life.