"Who are the Borrowers? There aren't many of the miniature people left, for the rush of modern life doesn't suit them. They like to live in quiet, out-of-the-way country houses where things move in an orderly, well-established pattern. In just such a housse lives the Clock family, Pod, Homily, and their daughter, Arrietty. They quietly and secretly make their living borrowing from the "human beans," until the day a human boy comes to live in the house. In her youthful curiosity, Arrietty commits the worst Borrower mistake: she is seem by a "human bean" - and disaster follows. Aid comes from a most surprising source, and the Clock family escapes to find a new life and further adventure."