As in the source story, Maria, a ten-year-old orphan girl, lives on a large estate known as Malplaquet. Her life is not a happy one because her guardian, a fat, uncaring vicar by the name of Mr. Hater, always leaves her in the hands of her prim, strict governess Miss Brown. The only two caring people that Maria has in her life are Miss Noakes, the household cook, and a retired professor who lives out in the garden. To help herself feel better, Maria often takes long walks throughout the estate's grounds. One day, to her delight, she discovers an island out in the middle of a small lake that is inhabited by Lilliputians, or little people. Each of them quickly becomes friends with Maria and helps her to have fun in her day-to-day life.
