Hello, my name's Mariam.
Today's story is set 200 years ago, in the beautiful English countryside.
It's about the life and relationships of a young woman called Bathsheba,
who works hard on her uncle's farm, where she attracts the attention of three men.
who all set their sights on marrying her.
Let me tell you about the first man.
His name is Gabriel Oak, and he is also a farmer.
So you would think they have a lot in common.
She saves his life, and then he asks her to marry him.
However, she is dead set against the idea.
and so says no. Later, Gabriel's flock of sheep is destroyed, and he sets off to find new work.
He finds a job as a shepherd on Bathsheba's farm, which she has now inherited from her uncle.
She sets out to manage this farm by herself,
despite some people saying that as a woman she won't be able to cope.
Anyway.
One day, for fun, she sends a valentine card to her neighbour,
a wealthy landowner called Mr Boldwood.
This sets him off thinking that she's keen on him, so he asks her to marry him.
But once again, she says no. However,
he becomes obsessed by her and pursues her, hoping that one day she will say yes.