In the year 1885 the story follows Sarah Crewe a young daughter of a wealthy [English people] father Ralph Crewe living in [British Raj British-ruled India]. She starts attending an all-girl's seminary [boarding school] in [London] where she excels in her studies and is loved deeply by many of her friends and classmates. Tragedy strikes when Sarah's father passes away and her family goes bankrupt leaving her to become a poor orphan. The school's headmistress Miss Minchin takes advantage of this situation and makes her a [maid] in the school trying hard to make her life as miserable as possible. However Sarah with the help of her friends perseveres and tries to endure all her hardships until redemption comes at last.