A Chrhristmas Carol - Charles Dickens

8/13/2019 A Chrhristmas Carol - Charles Dickens

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A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens

820.83 - D548

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Dcima sexta edi!"o

impliied $6 D. 7. )an and ichael 9est

ta*e 2: 00 )ord voca$,lar6

Contents

ntrod,ction

. arle6;s *host -

2. The irst o the three spirits - 3

3. The second o the three spirits - 24

4. The last o the three spirits - 35

5. The end o it - 45

ntrod,ction

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens )as $orn in 82. ?e )as thirt6-one 6ears old and alread6

a

ver6 s,ccess,l novelist )hen A Christmas Carol irst appeared in 843.

#6

that time he had alread6 )ritten the %ick)ick %apers @83>-3 and the

novels

Bliver T)ist @838 =icholas =ickle$6 @83 and The Bld C,riosit6 hop

@84. #,t it had not $een eas6 or Dickens to $ecome the $est-sellin*

)riterin /n*lish in his time.

Charles )as the son o a clerk in a *overnment oice. ?is ather spent

too

m,ch and like r ica)$er in Dickens;s David Copperield )ritten in

84

he )as sent to prison $eca,se he o)ed mone6 and co,ld not pa6 it $ack.

Caroline;s h,s$and in Chapter o,r in this $ook is araid o $ein* sent

to

prison or o)in* mone6 to a man )itho,t merc6. endin* a man to prison


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,ntil he had paid the mone6 he o)ed seems ver6 sill6 to ,s toda6 $,t it

)as

the la) in Dickens;s time. %erhaps Dickens;s $ooks helped to sho) the

oolishness as )ell as the ,nkindness o s,ch treatment since Dickens

co,ld

make his readers not onl6 )eep $,t la,*h at oolishness. The res,lt or

Charles Dickens himsel o his ather;s imprisonment )as ver6 $ad. ?e

)ast)elve 6ears old )hen his ather )ent to prison and Charles himsel had

to *o

to )ork. t )as ver6 ,npleasant )ork and the pa6 and conditions )ere

ver6

$ad.

or ,s Dickens;s earl6 tro,$les have meant stories $6 a )riter )ho

reall6

kne) poor people and the diic,lt6 o their lives. ?e ,nderstood them

and

his $ooks pro$a$l6 did more than an6thin* else to make lie $etter or

them.

Ater this $ook )as printed and read6 to $e sold in time or Christmas

843the )riter had a short Christmas holida6 and enEo6ed himsel like croo*e

at

red;s part6 in the last chapter o this $ook. The $ook in a red and

*old hard

cover price ive shillin*s @t)ent6-ive pence )as a *reat s,ccess. #6

Christmas /ve the $ookshops had sold six tho,sand copies and orders )ere

comin* in rom all parts o the co,ntr6. 1ord Fere6 )rote to Dickens:

G#lessin*s on 6o,r kind heart... 6o, can $e s,re 6o, have done more *ood

$6 this little $ook ca,sed more kind eelin*s and made more people *ive

reel6 to help the poor and s,erin* than all the )ords in ch,rches.G

Hnort,natel6 the price o ive shillin*s )as hi*h or a $ook o the kindat

that time $,t the cost o printin* and addin* colo,red dra)in*s )as hi*h

too

so the amo,nt Dickens himsel received )as not *reat.

Christmas in 1ondon in 843

1ondon in 843 )as a rather dirt6 to)n. The cro)ded ho,ses )ere heated

$6 coal ires @like croo*e;s oice and the smoke mixed )ith lo)

clo,d

made o*s ar )orse than the6 are toda6. At the same time i there )as

no o*

and the smoke co,ld rise cold )eather $ro,*ht cleaner air - there )ereno

cars tr,cks or oil-ired en*ines - and sno) )as )hite and clean.

#eore Christmas and on Christmas Da6 people san* carols Eo6,l son*s

)ith )ords like:

Iod rest 6o, merr6 *entlemen...

or:

Christmas is comin* the *eese are *ettin* at

%lease p,t a penn6 in the old man;s hat.


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t )as a time or *ivin*. %eople *ave presents to their children and

mone6

and other help to the poor. ,ch help )as needed $eca,se people had not

6et

learnt to make the care o the poor the sick and the ,nort,nate a

p,$lic d,t6.

Jo, have an example in this $ook o t)o *entlemen tr6in* to *et mone6

romcroo*e sa6in*: Gan6 tho,sands are cold and have no ood and man6 have

no home to *o to.G

Those )ho had eno,*h mone6 had a $i* amil6 dinner ater comin* home

rom ch,rch. A Christmas dinner is descri$ed in this $ook: *oose @or

t,rke6

or those )ith more mone6 )ith ve*eta$les ollo)ed $6 Christmas

p,ddin*.

-- %'*ina

Chapter

arle6;s *host

The names on the door o the oice )ere CKBBI/ A=D AK1/J.

arle6 )as dead. ?e died seven 6ears a*o.

croo*e never painted o,t arle6;s name. There it )as 6ears ater)ards

on

the oice door: CKBBI/ A=D AK1/J. The $,siness )as kno)n as

croo*e and arle6. ometimes people )ho did not kno) the $,siness called

croo*e Gcroo*eG and sometimes the6 called him Garle6G $,t he

ans)ered

to $oth names. ?e didn;t mind )hat he )as called.

?e )as a hard man )ith mone6 hard as stone. ?e )as a secret man

riendless and alone. The coldness inside him roe his old ace. ?is

e6es )ere

red. ?is thin lips )ere $l,e. Jo, co,ld see cold in his )a6 o )alkin*.?e

carried this coldness )ith him al)a6s )herever he )ent. t made his

oice

cold in the s,mmer and at Christmas time it )as even colder.

=o one ever stopped croo*e in the street to sa6 G6 dear croo*e ho)

are 6o,L 9hen )ill 6o, come and see meLG =o poor people asked him or a

penn6. =o children asked him G9hat time is itLG =o man or )oman had ever

asked him to tell them the )a6 to a place. /ven the $lind men;s do*s

seemed

to kno) him and )hen the6 sa) him comin* the6 p,lled their o)ners $ack

into the door)a6.

-- %'*ina 2

#,t croo*e did not care. ?e liked it. ?e liked )alkin* thro,*h the cro)d

and makin* all men keep their distance rom him.

t )as Christmas /ve the t)ent6-o,rth o Decem$er the evenin* $eore

Christmas Da6. Bld croo*e )as $,s6 in his oice. t )as ver6 cold:

croo*e

co,ld hear the people o,tside in the street $eatin* their hands to*ether

to


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)arm them. There )as a thick o*: it )as onl6 three o;clock $,t it )as

M,ite

dark alread6. t had not $een li*ht all da6. Candles )ere $,rnin* in the

)indo)s o the oices near his. The o* came po,rin* in - even thro,*h

the

ke6hole. The o* )as so thick that 6o, co,ld hardl6 see the ho,ses on the

other side o the street.

The door o croo*e;s oice )as open so that he co,ld )atch his clerk.The

clerk )orked in a ver6 small room on the other side o the passa*e.

croo*e

had a ver6 small ire $,t the clerk;s ire )as even smaller. ?e co,ld

not add

coal to it $eca,se croo*e kept the coal$ox in his room.

Gerr6 Christmas ,ncle and Iod $less 6o,NG cried a happ6 voice. t )as

the

voice o croo*e;s nephe) red.

G#ahNG said croo*e. G?,m$,*NG

croo*e;s nephe) had $een )alkin* M,ickl6 in the cold air. ?is ace )as

$ri*ht his e6es shone and 6o, co,ld see his $reath in the cold air.

-- %'*ina 4

GDo 6o, sa6 that Christmas is a h,m$,* ,ncleLG he said. GJo, don;t mean

that do 6o,LG

GJes doG said croo*e. Gerr6 ChristmasN #ahN 9hat ri*ht have 6o, to

$e

merr6L 9hat reason have 6o, to $e merr6L Jo,;re too poor to $e merr6.G

GBhNG said the nephe) la,*hin*. G9hat ri*ht have 6o, to $e so solemn and

sadL Jo, are rich eno,*h.G

croo*e had no $etter ans)er read6 so he said G#ahNG a*ain and ollo)ed

it

)ith G?,m$,*NG

GDon;t $e an*r6G said the nephe).G9hat else can $eG said the ,ncle G)hen live in a )orld o ools

s,ch as

thisL err6 ChristmasN 9hat is Christmas time to 6o, except a time or

spendin* more mone6 than 6o, have a time or indin* 6o,rsel a 6ear

older

$,t not an ho,r richer a time or indin* that 6o, have less mone6 than

6o,

had at Christmas a 6ear a*oL thinkG said croo*e an*ril6 Gthat ever6

ool

)ho *oes a$o,t sa6in* ;err6 ChristmasN; sho,ld $e $oiled )ith his o)n

Christmas dinnerNG

GHncleNG said the nephe).

G=ephe)NG said the ,ncle. Gpend Christmas in 6o,r o)n )a6 and let me

spend it in mine.G

Gpend itLG said red. G#,t 6o, don;t spend itNG

G9hat *ood has it ever done 6o,LG

-- %'*ina 5

Gt has done me a *reat deal o *oodG said the nephe). GChristmas is a

*ood

time a kind or*ivin* pleasant time. t;s the onl6 time in the 6ear


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)hen men

and )omen seem to open their sh,t-,p hearts reel6. And thereore ,ncle

altho,*h it has never p,t an6 *old or silver in m6 pocket $elieve that

Christmas has done me *ood and )ill do me *ood and sa6 ;Iod $less

tN;G

G?,m$,*NG said croo*e.

GDon;t $e an*r6 ,ncle. Come and have dinner )ith ,s tomorro).G

GCertainl6 notNG said croo*e. GIood aternoonNGG#,t don;t )ant an6thin* rom 6o,. 9h6 can;t )e $e riendsLG

GIood aternoonNG said croo*e.

G am sorr6 6o, )on;t Eoin ,s. 9e have never had an6 M,arrel. At least

have never M,arrelled. #,t $eca,se it;s Christmas have tried a*ain to

$e a

riend and )ill still keep m6 Christmas kind eelin*s. o ;A merr6

ChristmasN; ,ncle.G


GAnd a happ6 =e) JearNG


red stopped at the door to sa6 Gerr6 ChristmasNG to the clerk )ho

altho,*h he )as so cold ans)ered )arml6 Gerr6 Christmas to 6o, sirNG

GThere;s another ello)NG said croo*e )ho had heard )hat he said. G6clerk )ith less than a po,nd a )eek and a )ie and amil6 talkin* a$o,t

a

merr6 ChristmasN ?e m,st $e madNG

-- %'*ina >

As the clerk opened the door to let croo*e;s nephe) o,t he let in t)o

other

people. The6 )ere )ell-dressed *entlemen and stood )ith their hats o in

croo*e;s oice. The6 had $ooks and papers in their hands.

Gcroo*e and arle6;s $elieveLG said one o the *entlemen lookin* at

the

list. GAm speakin* to r croo*e or to r arle6LGGr arle6 is deadG ans)ered croo*e. G?e died seven 6ears a*o this ver6

ni*ht.G

GBhN - At this happ6 season o the 6ear r croo*eG said the *entleman

takin* ,p his pen G)e ,s,all6 tr6 to do somethin* or the poor. The6 are

s,erin* *reatl6 at this present time. an6 tho,sands are cold and have

no

ood and man6 have no home to *o to.G

GAre there no prisonsLG asked croo*e.

GThere are plent6 o prisonsG said the *entleman p,ttin* do)n his pen.

GAre there no )orkho,ses or the poorLG

GThere areG said the *entleman. G )ish that so man6 )ere not needed.G

G )as araid rom )hat 6o, said that somethin* had happened to stop the

prisons and )orkho,ses doin* their ,s,al )orkG said croo*e. G am *lad

to

hear that there are still prisons and )orkho,ses.G

-- %'*ina

G%risons and )orkho,ses can;t reall6 make people merr6 at Christmas

timeG

said the *entleman. GA e) o ,s are askin* people to *ive mone6 to $,6

some


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ood and drink or the poor. ?o) m,ch )ill 6o, *ive ,sLG

G=othin*NG said croo*e. G don;t make merr6 m6sel at Christmas time

and

)on;t *ive mone6 to make la6 people merr6. Iood aternoon *entlemenNG

eein* that the6 )ere )astin* their time the *entlemen )ent o,t o the

room.

The o* $ecame thicker. The darkness $ecame darker. The cold $ecame

colder. At last the ho,r or sh,ttin* ,p the oice arrived. croo*e *ot

do)n

rom his chair. The clerk p,t o,t his candle and p,t on his hat.

GJo,;ll )ant to $e at home all da6 tomorro) s,pposeLG said croo*e.

GJes sir i 6o, don;t mind.G

G do mindG said croo*e. Gt is not air or E,st. )ere to pa6 6o,

iteen

pence less or that )asted da6 6o, )o,ld think that )as $ein* ,nE,st

to

6o,.G

The clerk smiled.

GAnd 6etG said croo*e G6o, don;t think it ,nE,st to me )hen have to

pa66o, or a da6 on )hich 6o, do not )ork.G

Gt;s onl6 once a 6earG said the clerk.

-- %'*ina 8

GThat is not a *ood reason or stealin* iteen pence rom m6 pocket

ever6

t)ent6-ith o Decem$erG said croo*e. G#,t s,ppose 6o, m,st have the

)hole da6. #e here earl6 the next mornin*.G

croo*e )ent o,t and the clerk sh,t ,p the oice and ran home to Camden

To)n as ast as he co,ld to pla6 )ith his children.

croo*e had dinner in a cheap eatin*-ho,se and then )ent home. ?e hadrooms in a ho,se )hich had once $een arle6;s. The6 )ere dark and

,ncomorta$le rooms in an old ho,se in a dark co,rt6ard. All the rest o

the

rooms in the ho,se )ere oices. =o one lived there except croo*e.

?e ,nlocked the door )ent in and lit a candle then )ent ,pstairs to his

rooms. #eore he sh,t his heav6 door he )alked thro,*h his rooms to see

that

ever6thin* )as all ri*ht. ?e )ent into the sittin*-room the $edroom the

store-room. /ver6thin* )as all ri*ht. There )as no$od6 ,nder the ta$le

no$od6 ,nder the $ed.

There )as a small ire $,rnin* in the ireplace. ?e sh,t the door o his

rooms

and locked it then )ent and sat do)n $6 the ire.There )as a noise do)n $elo) as i some person )as p,llin* a heav6 chain.

The noise came ,p the stairs strai*ht to)ards his door.

Gt;s h,m$,*NG said croo*e. G )on;t $elieve itNG

omethin* came. thro,*h the heav6 door and came into the room. The d6in*

ire spran* ,p in the ireplace.

-- %'*ina

t )as arle6 - arle6 dressed as he had al)a6s dressed )hen he )as


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alive.

The chain )as )o,nd ro,nd him - a chain loaded )ith mone6-$oxes ke6s

locks $oxes o acco,nt $ooks $,siness papers and mone6 $a*s. croo*e

as

he looked at him co,ld see thro,*h his $od6. ?e co,ld see the t)o

$,ttons on

the $ack o arle6;s coat.

G9ellLG said croo*e in his cold voice G)hat do 6o, )antLGGA lotNG

Jes it )as arle6;s voice.

G9ho are 6o,LG croo*e )anted to kno).

GAsk me )ho )asNG

G9ho )ere 6o, thenLG said croo*e.

Gn lie )as Faco$ arle6. Jo, don;t $elieve in meG said the *host.

G=oG said croo*e G do not.G

GJo, don;t $elieve 6o,r e6es.G

G=oG said croo*e G do not. don;t al)a6s tr,st m6 e6es. Jo, ma6 $e

the

res,lt o somethin* have eaten - some cheese or some meat )hich )as

not

)ell cooked. ?,m$,* tell 6o, h,m$,*NGAt this the *host *ave a ear,l cr6 and shook its chain )ith a

ri*htenin*

noise. Then it took o the cloth )hich )as tied ro,nd its head and its

mo,th

ell open like the mo,th o a dead man.

croo*e ell on his knees and held his hands in ront o his ace. G9h6NG

he

cried. G9h6 have 6o, come to tro,$le meLG

-- %'*ina 0

G=o)G said the *host Gdo 6o, $elieve in me or notLG

G doG said croo*e G doN #,t )h6 m,st the spirits o the dead )alkthe

earth and )h6 does one come to meLG

G/ver6 manG ans)ered the *host Gsho,ld in his lietime )alk amon* his

ello) men. ?e sho,ld share their sorro)s and their Eo6s. #,t a man does

not

do this in lie then his spirit m,st )ander thro,*h the )orld ater his

death

and see the sorro)s and Eo6s it can no lon*er share.

A*ain the *host *ave a cr6 and shook itschain.

GJo, are chainedNG said croo*e shakin* )ith ear. GTell me )h6.G

G am )earin* the chain that made d,rin* m6 lieG replied the *host.

G

made ever6 part o it and $o,nd it on m6sel. Do 6o, )ant to kno) the

)ei*ht and len*th o the chain that 6o, 6o,rsel haveL t )as as heav6

and as

lon* as this one seven Christmas /ves a*o and 6o, have made it heavier

and

lon*er since.G

GDon;t tell me an6 more. a6 somethin* to make me less araid.G

GThere is nothin* to sa6G the *host replied. G can;t rest. can;t sta6

here.

m,st *o. n lie m6 spirit never )alked o,tside the oice - never let


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$,siness

and mone6-makin* - $,t no) there are man6 ear,l Eo,rne6s m,st make.G

Geven 6ears deadNG tho,*ht croo*e Gand travellin* all the timeNG

-- %'*ina

GThe )hole timeG said the *host. G=o rest. =o peace. t is at this timeo the

6ear that s,er most. 9h6 did )alk thro,*h the cro)ds o m6 ello)

men

)ith m6 e6es t,rned do)nL 9ere there no poor homes to )hich co,ld have

taken helpL... ?ear meNG

G )illG said croo*e G )illN #,t don;t $e hard on me.G

G have sat $eside 6o, ,nseen da6 ater da6.G - This )as not a pleasant

tho,*ht or croo*e.

G am here toni*htG contin,ed the *host Gto )arn 6o,. Jo, still have a

chance.G

GJo, )ere al)a6s a *ood riend to meG said croo*e. G thank 6o,.G

GJo, )ill $e visitedG said the *host G$6 three spirits. /xpect the

irst one

tomorro) )hen the ch,rch $ell so,nds one o;clock. /xpect the second onthe

next ni*ht at the same time and the third on the next ni*ht )hen the

$ell has

so,nded midni*ht. Jo, )on;t see me an6 more $,t remem$er )hat have

said.G

The *host took the cloth rom the ta$le and tied it ro,nd its head. Then

it

)alked $ack)ards rom croo*e. At ever6 step it took the )indo) opened a

little. 9hen the *host reached it it )as )ide open. croo*e heard in the

o,tside air cries o sorro) and )eepin*. The *host listened or a moment

and

then added its o)n ,nhapp6 so,nds and disappeared o,t into the ni*ht.

croo*e ollo)ed to the )indo) and looked o,t. The air )as ,ll o*hosts

)anderin* this )a6 and that and )eepin* as the6 )ent.

-- %'*ina 2

/ver6 one o them )ore a chain like arle6;s chain. ome o them had $een

men croo*e kne) in their lives and all )ere )eepin* $eca,se the6 )anted

so $adl6 to help their ello) men and )omen and had lost the po)er to do

so.

The *hosts disappeared into the o* and their voices )ere silent. The

ni*ht

$ecame as it had $een )hen croo*e )alked home. ?e closed the )indo).

?e tried the door. t )as locked as he had locked it. ?e tried to sa6G?,m$,*NG $,t stopped. Then )itho,t takin* o his clothes he thre)

himsel

on his $ed and ell asleep.

-- %'*ina 3

Chapter 2

The irst o the three spirits


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9hen croo*e a)oke it )as dark. 1ookin* rom his $ed he co,ld hardl6

see the )indo): it )as as dark as the )alls o the room. ?e listened.

Then he

heard the ch,rch $ell so,nd t)elve. #,t it )as past t)o )hen he )ent to

$ed:

the clock m,st $e )ron*. %erhaps the )orks o the clock )ere roen.

T)elveN

Gt isn;t possi$leNG said croo*e. G can;t have slept thro,*h a )hole

da6 and

ar into another ni*ht. This m,st $e t)elve midda6.G

?e *ot o,t o $ed )ent to the )indo) and looked o,t. All he co,ld see

)as

that it )as still ver6 o**6 and ver6 cold and there )as no so,nd o

people

movin* a$o,t the streets as there )o,ld $e at midda6.

croo*e )ent to $ed a*ain. ?e tho,*ht a$o,t )hat had happened. ?e )as

thinkin* G9as it all a dreamLG Then he heard the clock - din*-don*.

GA M,arter past t)elveG said croo*e. Then later he heard din*-don*

a*ain.

G?al past t)elveG said croo*e. A*ain - din*-don*. GA M,arter to oneGsaid

croo*e. ... GA M,arter to oneNG And he remem$ered that arle6;s *host

had

)arned him to expect a visit at one o;clock.

Din*-don*. GBne o;clockG said croo*e Gand nothin* has happened.G

-- %'*ina 4

#,t E,st as he spoke a li*ht came into the room. ?e sat ,p - and o,nd

himsel ace to ace )ith an ,nearthl6 visitor.

t )as a stran*e i*,re like a child - and 6et not M,ite like a child

in some)a6s like an old man an old man )ho had $ecome no $i**er than a child.

The hair han*in* do)n on its neck )as )hite as i )ith a*e and 6et the

ace

)as 6o,n*. t )as dressed in p,re )hite. t held a $ranch o holl6 in its

hand

$,t there )ere s,mmer lo)ers on the dress. The stran*est thin* o all

)as

that rom the top o its head there came a $ri*ht clear li*ht. #,t the

spirit held

,nder its arm a lar*e cap as i that )ere ,sed to p,t do)n over the li*ht

and

hide it or p,t it o,t.

Garle6 said that a spirit )o,ld visit me. Are 6o, the spiritLG askedcroo*e.

G am.G The voice )as sot and *entle.

G9ho and )hat are 6o,LG asked croo*e.

G am the Ihost o Christmas %ast.G

G1on* pastLG asked croo*e.

G=o. Jo,r past.G

%erhaps croo*e co,ld not have told an6$od6 )h6 he had a )ish to see the

spirit in its cap. GDo p,t on 6o,r capG he said.

G9hatLG said the spirit. GDo 6o, )ant so M,ickl6 to p,t o,t the li*ht


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*iveL s

it not eno,*h that 6o,r evil nat,re made this cap and 6o, have orced me

thro,*h man6 6ears to )ear it lo) o m6 head. ... Come )alk )ith meNG

-- %'*ina >

The spirit p,t o,t a stron* hand and took croo*e $6 the arm. t led himto)ards the )indo).

G *o o,t thereG said croo*e G;ll allNG

The spirit laid its hand on croo*e;s heart. GThisG it said G)ill hold

6o, ,p.G

The6 passed thro,*h the )all and stood on an open co,ntr6 road )ith

ields

on each side o it.The cit6 had disappeared. The darkness and the o* had

*one. t )as a clear cold )inter da6 )ith sno) on the *ro,nd.

croo*e looked aro,nd.

GThisG he said Gthis is the place )here )as $orn. )as a $o6 here.G

GJo, remem$er the )a6LG asked the spirit.

GKemem$er itLG cried croo*e. G co,ld )alk it )ith m6 e6es sh,tNG

Gt is stran*e that 6o, have or*otten it or so man6 6earsG said the

spirit.

G1et;s *o on.G

The6 )alked alon* the road. croo*e kne) ever6 *ate ever6 post ever6

tree. Then a little to)n )as seen in the distance )ith its $rid*e its

ch,rch and

the slo)-lo)in* river. ?e sa) some $o6s ridin* horses to)ards him and

callin* to other $o6s. The6 )ere ver6 happ6 and sho,ted to each other so

that

the $road ields )ere ,ll o merr6 m,sic and the air la,*hed to hear it.

GThese are onl6 the shado)s o thin*s that have $eenG said the spirit.

GThe6

don;t see ,s.G

-- %'*ina

The happ6 travellers came on and as the6 came croo*e kne) and named

ever6 one. ?e heard them sa6 Gerr6 ChristmasG to each other as the6

separated at the crossroads and )ent each to his o)n home.

GThe6 have come rom the school $,t it is not M,ite empt6G said the

spirit.

GThere is one child there a child )ho has no riends. ?e is let there

still )hen

all the others have *one.G

GJesG said croo*e. G kno) it.G And he )ept.

The6 )ent alon* a )ell-remem$ered lane and came to a lar*e red ho,se. t

)as empt6: the rich man )ho had $,ilt it had lost his mone6. The *ateshad

allen and the )indo)s )ere $roken. The6 )ent into the empt6 hall and

across it to a door at the $ack o the ho,se. There the6 sa) a lon* ,*l6

room

)ith desks and seats in it and at one o the desks a $o6 sat readin*.

croo*e sat do)n next to the $o6 and )ept to see his poor or*otten sel

as

once he ,sed to $e. ?e seemed to see into the $o6;s mind the thin*s that

he


11/30


12/30

the ho,r o seven. ?e r,$$ed his hands and then la,*hed and called o,t in

a

at merr6 voice G?o thereN /$eneerN DickNG

croo*e;s ormer sel no) a 6o,n* man came in and )ith him )as his

ello) clerk.

GDick 9ilkinsNG said croo*e to the spirit. GDear me 6es there he isN

?e )as

a *reat riend. %oor DickN Dear dearNGGCome m6 $o6sG said ei)i*. G=o more )ork toni*htN t;s Christmas

/ve.

1et;s sh,t ,p the oice clear a)a6 the desks and chairs and make read6

or

the part6.G

-- %'*ina 20

/ver6thin* that co,ld $e moved )as p,shed to one side. The lamps )ere

t,rned ,p and more coal )as p,t on the ire.

A iddler came in )ith his iddle. rs ei)i* came in )ith the three

iss

ei)i*s smilin* and lova$le and $ehind the iss ei)i*s came the6o,n* men )ho )ere in love )ith them. Then in came all the 6o,n* men and

)omen )ho )orked in the store-ho,se. The iddler pla6ed and the dancin*

$e*an. There )as cake and meat and )ine.

At last the dancin* came to an end. The clock str,ck eleven and the

part6

)as over. r and rs ei)i* stood one on each side o the door shakin*

hands )ith ever6$od6 as the6 )ent o,t and )ishin* each o them a merr6

Christmas.

D,rin* the )hole o this time croo*e had $een ver6 excited. ?is heart

and

so,l )ere there )ith his ormer sel. ?e remem$ered ever6thin* and

enEo6ed

ever6thin*. t )as onl6 no) )hen the part6 )as over that he remem$eredthe

spirit and sa) that it )as lookin* at him. The li*ht on its head $,rned

ver6

clear.

Gt )as a small thin*G said the spirit Gto make those ,nimportant

people so

happ6 and thank,l.G

GA small thin*NG said croo*e.

The spirit )anted him to listen to the t)o 6o,n* men. The6 )ere talkin*

a$o,t ei)i* and sa6in* )hat a ine man he )as.

G9as he so )onder,lLG asked the spirit. G?e spent a e) po,nds o mone6

that )as all.G

-- %'*ina 2

Gt )as more than thatG said croo*e. G?e had the po)er to make ,s happ6

or ,nhapp6 to make o,r )ork li*ht or heav6 a pleas,re or a sorro). ?is

po)er la6 in )ords and looks - in thin*s so small that it isn;t possi$le

to add

and co,nt them ,p. The happiness he *ave )as M,ite as *reat as i it had

cost

tho,sands o po,nds.G


13/30

?e elt the spirit lookin* at him and stopped.

G9hat;s the matterLG asked the spirit.

G )o,ld like to sa6 a )ord or t)o to m6 riend Dick 9ilkins.G #,t one

o

the 6o,n* men t,rned do)n the lamps and croo*e and the spirit stood

side

$6 side in the open air.

G6 time *ro)s shortG said the spirit. G


14/30

there

croo*e sat alone M,ite alone in the )orld.G

GpiritG cried croo*e in a $roken voice Gtake me homeNG

G told 6o,G said the spirit Gthat these are the shado)s o thin*s that

have

$een. The6 are )hat 6o, have made them.G

G1eave meN Take me homeNG croo*e seied the spirit;s cap and p,lled it

do)n over its head. The li*ht still came rom ,nder it to li*ht ,p theloor.

croo*e )as $ack in his o)n $edroom. ?e thre) himsel on his $ed and ell

into a deep sleep.

-- %'*ina 24

Chapter 3

The second o the three spirits

croo*e a)oke and sat ,p in $ed.

?e had )oken E,st in time or as he sat ,p he heard the ch,rch clock

so,nd

Bne. ?e looked ro,nd. ?e )anted to see the spirit the moment it appeared.

?e didn;t )ant to $e taken $6 s,rprise.

There )as no spirit to $e seen.

?e )aited. ive min,tes... Ten min,tes... Then as he la6 on his $ed he

sa)

a red li*ht comin* rom the next room.

?e *ot ,p p,t on his shoes and )ent to the door to ind o,t )hat it )as.

The moment croo*e;s hand to,ched the door a stran*e voice called him $6

his name. ?e looked into the room. t )as his o)n room $,t *reatl6

chan*ed.

The )alls )ere covered )ith *reen holl6. There )as a $i* ire $,rnin*

there

and on the loor )as ever6 kind o Christmas ood - at $irds read6 or

cookin* r,it cakes $ottles o )ine s)eets - ever6thin*.GCome inG said the spirit Gcome inN Jo, m,st *et to kno) me $etter.G

croo*e )ent into the room and stood in ront o the spirit. ?e )as not

the

,neelin* hard croo*e he had $een in the past $,t altho,*h the

spirit;s e6es

)ere clear and kind he did not like to meet them.

-- %'*ina 25

G am the Ihost o Christmas %resentG said the spirit Gthe spirit o

this

present Christmas. 1ook at meNG

croo*e looked. ?e sa) a at and merr6-lookin* person dressed in a lon**reen coat. t had no shoes on its eet. There )as a cro)n made o holl6

on its

head )ith ice set in it to make it shine. t had lon* $ro)n hair han*in*

ree on

its neck.

GJo,;ve never seen an6one like me $eoreG said the spirit.

G=everG said croo*e.

The Ihost o Christmas %resent stood ,p.

GpiritG said croo*e Glead me )here 6o, )ish. 1ast ni*ht )as orced


15/30

to

*o $,t learnt a lesson )hich is helpin* me no). Toni*ht i 6o, have

an6thin* to teach me let me learn it.G

GIive me 6o,r hand.G

The at $irds read6 or cookin* the r,it and cakes and s)eets and

)ine all

disappeared. o did the room )ith its $ri*ht ire. The6 )ere standin* in

a cit6

street. t )as Christmas mornin*. The people )ere di**in* a)a6 the sno)

rom the road in ront o their ho,ses. The sk6 )as *re6 $,t there )as

cheer,lness ever6)here. The people di**in* the sno) )ere ,ll o Eo6

callin* o,t to each other and no) and then thro)in* sno)$alls at each

other

and la,*hin* )hen the6 )ere hit themselves.

-- %'*ina 2>

The ch,rch $ells $e*an to rin* and the people came cro)din* thro,*h the

streets in their $est clothes and )ith happ6 aces.

croo*e and the spirit travelled ,nseen $6 an6one to the o,ter part o

the

to)n and came to the ho,se o #o$ Cratchit croo*e;s clerk. nside the

ho,se rs Cratchit dressed in her $est clothes )hich she kept

care,ll6 rom

6ear to 6ear )as la6in* the cloth on the ta$le helped $6 #elinda her

da,*hter. %eter Cratchit her son )as )atchin* some potatoes $oilin* in

a

pot and t)o smaller Cratchits a $o6 and a *irl )ere dancin* ro,nd and

ro,nd the ta$le.

G9here;s 6o,r atherLG said rs Cratchit Gand 6o,r $rother Tin6 TimLG

Tin6

Tim )as their 6o,n*est child )ho )as ver6 small - reall6 tin6. GAnd

)here;sarthaL he )asn;t so late last Christmas.G

G?ere am motherG said a *irl appearin* as she spoke. G?ere;s

artha.G

G?ere;s artha motherNG cried the t)o 6o,n* Cratchits.

G6 dear ho) late 6o, areNG said rs Cratchit kissin* her eldest

da,*hter

and takin* o her hat and coat.

G9e had a *reat deal o )ork to inish in the shop last ni*htG ans)ered

the

*irl Gand )e had to clear thin*s a)a6 this mornin*.G

G9ell never mind. 9e;re *lad 6o,;re hereG said rs Cratchit. Git do)n

$6

the ire and )arm 6o,rsel.G

-- %'*ina 28

Gather;s comin*NG called the t)o 6o,n* Cratchits )ho )ere still r,nnin*

a$o,t ever6)here. G?ide artha hide and *ive him a s,rpriseNG

o artha hid hersel. Then #o$ Cratchit her ather came in. ?is

clothes

)ere $r,shed and mended to look their $est. ?e )as carr6in* Tin6 Tim on

his


16/30

$ack. Tin6 Tim;s little le*s )ere s,pported $6 $its o iron $eca,se he

co,ld

not )alk )itho,t them.

G9here;s o,r arthaLG said #o$ Cratchit lookin* ro,nd.

G=ot comin*G said rs Cratchit.

G=ot comin*NG said #o$ Cratchit. G=ot comin* on Christmas Da6LG

artha did not like to see him h,rt even or a moment so she came

r,nnin*o,t and thre) hersel into his arms )hile the t)o 6o,n* Cratchits took

Tin6

Tim a)a6 to look at the dinner cookin* on the kitchen ire.

G?o) did Tin6 Tim $ehave in ch,rchLG

G?e )as ver6 *oodG said #o$ Cratchit. G think he seems to $e *ro)in* a

little stron*er.G

Tin6 Tim;s $rother and sister helped Tin6 Tim to his little seat $eside

the ire

)hile #o$ Cratchit mixed )ine and r,it to make some )onder,l drink

)hich

he set do)n $6 the ire to )arm.

9hen the dinner )as read6 #o$ Cratchit p,t Tin6 Tim in his little chairat the

corner o the ta$le near him. Then rs Cratchit $ro,*ht in the *oose a

)onder,l $ird perectl6 cooked. The amil6 ate it ,p leavin* a ver6

small

amo,nt o meat on the last $one.

-- %'*ina 2

Then came the *reat moment. rs Cratchit $ro,*ht in the Christmas

p,ddin* - ro,nd $ro)n ,ll o r,it )ith a little piece o holl6 on

the top.

#o$ Cratchit said GThat;s the $est p,ddin* 6o, have ever madeNG And all

theamil6 a*reed. t )as reall6 not a ver6 $i* p,ddin* $,t no$od6 said that

- or

even tho,*ht it. rs Cratchit had made ver6 little mone6 )ork )onders

$,t

no$od6 spoke a$o,t the cost.

Ater dinner the cloth )as taken o the ta$le. The amil6 sat ro,nd the

ire

and enEo6ed the hot drink that #o$ Cratchit had prepared.

Then #o$ Cratchit stood ,p and said GKaise 6o,r *lasses. A merr6

Christmas to ,s all m6 dearsN Iod $less ,sNG And all the amil6 said GA

merr6 Christmas to ,s allNG

GIod $less ,s all ever6 oneNG said Tin6 Tim last o all. ?e sat ver6

close to

his ather;s side on his little chair and #o$ Cratchit held his little

hand in his

as i he loved the child and )anted to keep him $6 his side $,t eared

that he

mi*ht $e taken rom him.

GpiritG said croo*e Gtell me i Tin6 Tim )ill live.G

G see an empt6 seatG ans)ered the *host Gin the corner near the ire.

these shado)s are not chan*ed $6 the ,t,re the child )ill die.G


17/30

G=o noNG said croo*e. GBh no kind spiritN a6 that he )ill liveNG

-- %'*ina 30

G the shado)s are not chan*ed $6 the ,t,re the pirit o =ext

Christmas

)ill not ind him here. #,t does it matterL Jo, have said that there aretoo

man6 people in the )orld.G

#o$ Cratchit stood ,p a*ain and he said Gr croo*eN 1et;s drink to the

health o r croo*eNG

G )ish he )ere hereG said rs Cratchit. G;d tell him )hat think o

him. ?e

)o,ldn;t enEo6 a Christmas dinner ater ;d said )hat thinkNG

G6 dearG said #o$ Cratchit. GKemem$er the childrenN This is Christmas

Da6.G

Gt;s onl6 on Christmas Da6G said rs Cratchit Gthat one )o,ld drink to

the

health o s,ch a hate,l hard ,neelin* man as r croo*e. Jo, kno) he

is

Ko$ert. =o$od6 kno)s it $etter than 6o, do.G

G6 dearG said #o$ Gthis is Christmas Da6.G

G9ellG said rs Cratchit G;ll drink to his health $eca,se 6o, ask me

to.

a6 he have a merr6 Christmas and a happ6 =e) Jear - $,t don;t think he

)illNG

r croo*e;s name had cast a dark shado) on the part6 $,t ive min,tes

later the6 )ere all M,ite happ6 a*ain. #o$ Cratchit told them that he had

o,nd )ork or %eter and the t)o 6o,n* Cratchits la,*hed at the tho,*ht

o

%eter $ein* a man o $,siness. artha )ho )orked at a dressmaker;s shop

told them the sort o )ork she had to do and ho) man6 ho,rs she )orked.

-- %'*ina 3

he said GTomorro) ;ll sta6 in $ed all the mornin* or a *ood lon*

rest.G

The pot o hot drink )ent ro,nd a*ain and then the6 san* a e) son*s.

There )as one son* a$o,t a lost child travellin* in the sno). Tin6 Tim

)ith

his little voice san* it ver6 )ell.

The spirit moved on thro,*h the darkness. Then croo*e )as s,rprised to

hear a happ6 la,*h. ?e kne) it as his nephe);s la,*h and o,nd himsel

in a

$ri*ht room.G?a haNG la,*hed croo*e;s nephe). G?a ha haNG 9hen croo*e;s nephe)

la,*hed in this )a6 holdin* his sides and rollin* his head his )ie

la,*hed

too and all their riends had to la,*h.

G?e said that Christmas )as h,m$,*NG cried red. GAnd he $elieved it

tooNG

GThat;s ver6 $adG said the )ie. red;s )ie )as ver6 prett6. he had a

dear

little mo,th that seemed made to $e kissed and the $ri*htest e6es 6o,


18/30

ever

sa).

G?e;s a ver6 ,nn6 ello)G said croo*e;s nephe) Gand that;s the tr,th.

?e;s

not as pleasant as he mi*ht $e $,t his ,npleasantness p,nishes him and

;ve

nothin* to sa6 a*ainst him.G

G;m s,re he;s ver6 rich redG said the )ie. GAt least 6o, al)a6s tellme so.G

-- %'*ina 32

G9ell that doesn;t help him m6 dear. ?is mone6 is o no ,se to him. ?e

doesn;t do an6 *ood )ith it. ?e doesn;t make himsel comorta$le )ith it.

?e

hasn;t even the pleas,re o thinkin* - ha-ha-haN - that he;s ever *oin*

to help

,s )ith it.G

G?e makes me an*r6G said his )ie and his )ie;s sisters and all the

other

ladies said the same thin*.GBh ;m sorr6 or himG said croo*e;s nephe). G co,ldn;t $e an*r6 )ith

him i tried. 9ho s,ers rom his stran*e )a6sL ?e does. ?e decides to

dislike ,s and he )on;t come and have dinner )ith ,s and )hat;s the

res,ltL

?e loses a dinner - a ver6 *ood dinner. #,t mean to *ive him the same

chance o Eoinin* ,s ever6 6ear )hether he likes it or not $eca,se ;m

sorr6

or him.G

The6 sat ro,nd the ire and san* and ater that the6 pla6ed *ames.

croo*e

$ecame so interested in the *ames that he )anted to Eoin in them. Then

the6started to pla6 a ne) *ame. t )as called GJes and =oG. 9hen it )as his

t,rn

red had to think o somethin* and the others had to ind o,t )hat he )as

thinkin* o and he m,st ans)er their M,estions )ith onl6 GJesG or G=oG.

Gs it an animalLG GJes.G GA livin* animalLG GJes.G GA nice animalLG

G=o.G

Gs it in 1ondonLG GJes.G GDo 6o, see it in the streetsLG GJes.G GDo

people pa6

to see itLG G=o.G Gs it ever killed or oodLG G=o.G Gs it a horseLG

G=o.G Gs it a

donke6LG G=o.G Gs it a do*LG G=o.G Gs it a catLG G=o.G Gs it a $earLG

G=o.G

-- %'*ina 33

As each M,estion )as p,t to him the nephe) la,*hed. At last his )ie;s

sister started to la,*h lo,der than an6one and she cried o,t G;ve

o,nd o,tN

kno) )hat it isN red kno) the ans)erNG

G9hat is itLG asked red.

Gt;s 6o,r ,ncle croo*eNG

And that is E,st )hat it )as.


19/30

G1et;s drink to the health o ,ncle croo*eNG said the nephe).

The6 took their *lasses and held them ,p. GHncle croo*eNG the6 cried. GA

merr6 Christmas and a happ6 =e) Jear to the old manNG said croo*e;s

nephe).

croo*e )o,ld have thanked them all i the *host had *iven him time. #,t

s,ddenl6 he and the spirit )ere a*ain on their travels. The6 )ent on and

on to

other lands overseas to the homes o the rich and the homes o the poor

to

hospitals or sick people and to prisons. And ever6)here the6 )ent the

spirit

let its $lessin*.

t )as a lon* ni*ht and as it passed the spirit seemed to $ecome older

and

older. Then lookin* at the spirit as the6 stood to*ether in an open

space

croo*e noticed that its hair )as *re6.

GAre spirits; lives so shortLG he asked.

G6 lie on this earth is ver6 shortG replied the spirit. Gt ends

toni*ht.G

-- %'*ina 34

GToni*htLG cried croo*e.

GJes toni*ht at midni*ht. 1istenN The time is dra)in* near.G

The ch,rch $ells )ere rin*in* a M,arter to t)elve.

Gor*ive me i askG said croo*e G$,t see somethin* stran*e hidin*

at

6o,r side.G

The spirit $ro,*ht or)ard t)o children a $o6 and a *irl sick animal-

like

in the torn remains o old clothes. Their aces o,*ht to have $een 6o,n*

andresh $,t the6 )ere thin and their e6es had the look o h,n*r6 $easts.

The6

knelt do)n at the spirit;s eet.

GpiritG said croo*e Gare the6 6o,rsLG

GThe6 are an;sG said the spirit lookin* do)n at them. GThis $o6 is

*norance - he has not $een ta,*ht. And this *irl is 9ant - she has not

$een

ed.G

G?ave the6 no one to help them no)here that the6 can *oLG cried croo*e.

GAre there no prisonsLG said the spirit. GAre there no )orkho,sesLG The6

)ere the )ords that croo*e himsel had spoken.

The $ell str,ck t)elve.

croo*e looked or the *host $,t did not see it. Then he remem$ered )hat

arle6 had said and litin* his e6es he sa) a dark i*,re comin*

to)ards

him thro,*h the o*.

-- %'*ina 35

Chapter 4

The last o the three spirits


20/30

The spirit came or)ards silentl6. 9hen it )as near him croo*e )ent

do)n

on his knees.

t )as clothed in $lack. ts ace and its shape co,ld not $e seen - onl6

one

o,tstretched hand. Bnl6 this hand separated it rom the darkness all

ro,nd it.

croo*e elt that the spirit )as tall as it came $eside him. t illedhim )ith a

solemn sense o ear. t neither spoke nor moved.

GAre 6o, the Ihost o Christmas Jet to ComeLG asked croo*e.

The spirit did not ans)er $,t pointed or)ards )ith its hand.

GJo, are *oin* to sho) me the shado)s o thin*s that have not 6et

happened

$,t )ill happen in the ,t,reG said croo*e. G ear 6o, more than an6

o the

other spirits have seen. #,t kno) that 6o, have come to do me *ood.

hope to live to $e another man dierent rom )hat have $een. o am

read6 to *o )ith 6o, and )ith a thank,l heart. 9on;t 6o, speakLG

The spirit *ave no repl6 $,t its hand still pointed strai*ht in ront o

them.G1ead onG said croo*e.

-- %'*ina 3>

The6 let the $,s6 centre o the cit6 and the spirit $ro,*ht croo*e to

a part

that he had never seen $eore tho,*h he kne) )here it )as and kne) it as

one o the )orst and poorest parts. The streets )ere narro) and dirt6

the

shops and the ho,ses small and ,*l6. The narro) lanes )ere ,ll o dirt

and

$ad smells. The )hole place smelt o dirt and ,nhappiness.

The6 came to a shop to )hich the ver6 poor $ro,*ht thin*s the6 )anted tosell. Bn the loor there )ere old ke6s nails chains and $roken iron

thin*s o

all kinds. A *re6-haired man a*ed a$o,t sevent6 )as sittin* $6 a small

ire in

the room $ehind the shop.

F,st as croo*e and the spirit came into the shop a )oman came in )ith a

heav6 $a* and another )oman carr6in* a $a* came in too. he )as ollo)ed

$6 a man dressed in $lack. ?e seemed s,rprised to see the )omen and the6

)ere s,rprised to see each other. Then the6 all three la,*hed.

G1et the cleaner-)oman $e irstG said the )oman )ho had come irst.

GThen

let the )asher)oman $e second and let the ,ndertaker;s man $e third.G

G9ellG said old Foe the shopman takin* the pipe o,t o his mo,th

Gcome

in. ;ll sh,t the door o the shop. Come into the $ack room.G

The )oman )ho had spoken thre) her $a* on the loor and looked at the

other t)o.

G9ell rs Dil$erG she said Gever6 person has a ri*ht to take care o

himsel

or hersel. ?e al)a6s did.G


21/30

-- %'*ina 3

GThat;s tr,eG said the )asher)oman. G=o man took *reater care o

himsel.G

GThen don;t stand lookin* at me as i 6o, )ere araid )omanN 9ho can

kno) that )e have taken a e) thin*sL 9e;re not *oin* to think $adl6 o

each

other s,pposeLG

G=o indeedNG said rs Dil$er. GCertainl6 notNG

G=o indeedG said the man.

GAll ri*ht thenG said the cleaner. G9ho s,ers or the loss o a e)

thin*s

like theseL =ot the dead man s,pposeLG

G=o indeedG said rs Dil$er la,*hin*.

G he )anted to keep thin*s ater he )as dead )h6 didn;t he have

someone

to look ater him in his lieL 9h6 co,ldn;t he $e like other peopleL

he;d $een

like other people and had someone to look ater him )hen he )as d6in* he

)o,ldn;t have lain there alone at the last d6in* alone.G

GThat;s ver6 tr,eG said rs Dil$er. Gt;s his p,nishment.GG )ish it )ere a $i**er p,nishmentG said the cleaner-)oman. G co,ld

have *ot an6thin* else )o,ld have $ro,*ht it. Bpen the $a* old Foe

and let

me kno) )hat it;s )orth. ;m not araid or them to see )hat ;ve *ot.G

#,t the )asher)oman )o,ld not allo) this and the man in $lack irst

sho)ed )hat he had *ot: a silver pencil-case a pocket$ook a *old pin

and a

e) other small thin*s. Bld Foe looked made a list )ith the mone6 or

each

thin* and then added it ,p.

-- %'*ina 38

GThere 6o, areG said old Foe Gand ;ll not *ive 6o, another penn6. =o)

)ho;s nextLG

rs Dil$er )as next. he had some cloths and some clothes t)o silver

teaspoons and a e) $ooks.

G al)a6s *ive too m,ch to ladiesG said old Foe. Gt;s a )eakness o

mine.

There 6o, are. 6o, ask me or another penn6 ;ll make it ten pence

less.G

G=o) see )hat ;ve *otG said the cleaner-)oman.

Foe )ent do)n on. his knees and opened the $a*. ?e p,lled o,t a lar*e and

heav6 roll o dark cloth.

G9hat;s thisLG said Foe. G#ed c,rtainsLG

GJesG said the )oman la,*hin* G$ed c,rtains.G

GJo, don;t mean to sa6 6o, took them do)n )ith the c,rtain rin*s and

all

)hen he )as l6in* thereLG said Foe.

GJes doG said the )oman. G9h6 notL don;t hold $ack m6 hand )hen

can *et an6thin* in it. And those are his $edclothes.G

G?is $edclothesLG said Foe.

G9ell )hat do 6o, thinkLG said the )oman. G?e )o,ldn;t catch cold

)itho,t

them )o,ld heL And there;s his ni*htshirt. The6 )o,ld have )asted it i


22/30

hadn;t taken it o him. The6 p,t it on him to *o into his *rave inN =o)

that;s

oolishN o took it o him a*ain. ?e ri*htened ever6$od6 a)a6 rom

him

)hen he )as alive and so )e *ained )hen he )as dead. ?a-ha-haNG

-- %'*ina 3

GpiritG said croo*e. G see. The thin*s that have happened to that

,nhapp6

man mi*ht happen to me. ?is lie seems to have $een rather like mine is

no).

... ?eavensN 9hat;s thisLG

?e )as in another place standin* $6 a $ed )ith no c,rtains. Bn it la6

somethin* covered $6 an old piece o cloth ,n)atched ,n)ept and ,ncared

or the $od6 o a man.

The spirit pointed to)ards the head. The cover )as so carelessl6 thro)n

over it that croo*e co,ld have lited it )ith his in*er and seen the

ace. #,t

he dared not do it. As he looked at the $ed he tho,*ht GThe love omone6

has $ro,*ht this man to a ear,l end tr,l6NG There he la6 in an empt6

ho,se

)ith not a man a )oman or child to sa6 G?e )as kind to me and or the

memor6 o one kind )ord )ill $e kind to him.G

GpiritG he said Gthis is a ear,l place and have learnt its

lesson. 1et;s *o.G

till the spirit pointed )ith ,nmoved in*er to the head.

G ,nderstand 6o,G said croo*e G$,t )o,ldn;t do it even i co,ld.

haven;t the po)er pirit. haven;t the po)er.G

A*ain the spirit seemed to look at him.

-- %'*ina 40

Gsn;t there an6 person in this to)n )ho has an6 eelin* ca,sed $6 this

man;s

deathLG asked croo*e. Gho) me one s,ch person pirit please.G

The spirit raised its arm - and the6 )ere in a room $6 da6li*ht )here a

mother

and child )ere sitiin*.

he )as expectin* someone. he looked o,t o the )indo) then looked at

the clock. At last someone came to the door. he h,rried there and met

her

h,s$and. Altho,*h he )as 6o,n* he had a sad ace.G9hat ne)sLG she asked. Gs it *ood or $adLG

G#adG he ans)ered.

GThen )e are M,ite )itho,t hopeLG

G=o there is still hope Caroline.G

G he has merc6G she said Gthere is still hope.G

G?e can;t sho) merc6G said her h,s$and. G?e;s dead. As 6o, kno) tried

to

see him to ask him to *ive ,s one more )eek to pa6 $,t a hal-dr,nken

)oman told me that he )as ver6 ill. n act he )as d6in* then.G


23/30

G9ho then do )e o)e the mone6 toL 9ho )ill )e have to pa6LG

G don;t kno). #,t $eore that time )e;ll $e read6 )ith the mone6. And

even

i )e )eren;t read6 )e co,ldn;t ind an6one more merciless than he )as.

9e

ma6 sleep toni*ht )ith li*ht hearts Caroline.G

-- %'*ina 4

G1et me see some *entle eelin*s at a time o deathG said croo*e. Gome

death )here there is sorro) and love.G

The *host led him alon* streets that croo*e kne) )ell. The6 )ent into

#o$

Cratchit;s ho,se and o,nd the mother and children sittin* ro,nd the

ire.


24/30

The spirit stood amon* the *raves and pointed to one o them.

GAns)er me one M,estionG said croo*e. GAre these the shado)s o the

thin*s that )ill $e or are the6 onl6 the shado)s o the thin*s that ma6

$eLG

till the *host pointed do)n)ards to the *rave $eside )hich it )as

standin*.

Gen;s actions seem to lead to certain endsG said croo*e G$,t i the

actionsare chan*ed the ends )ill chan*e. s that not tr,eLG

The spirit did not move. croo*e read on the stone o the *rave his o)n

name: /#/=/P/K CKBBI/.

-- %'*ina 44

GpiritG he cried Ghear meN am not the man )as. )ill not $e the

man

)o,ld have $een i hadn;t met 6o,. 9h6 do 6o, sho) me this i am past

all

hopeLG

The spirit made no repl6 $,t its hand seemed to move.

G )ill hono,r Christmas in m6 heart. )ill tr6 to keep the meanin* oit all

the 6ear. )ill live in the past the present and the ,t,re. The

spirits o all

three Christmasses )ill $e )ith me and )ill not or*et the lessons

that the6

teach.G

?e tried to catch the hand o the spirit. ?e held ,p his o)n hands in a

last

pra6er $,t the spirit had disappeared and )here it had stood he sa)...

his

$edpost.

-- %'*ina 45

Chapter 5

The end o it

Jes the $edpost )as his o)n. The $ed )as his o)n. The room )as his o)n.

G )ill live in the past the present and the ,t,reG croo*e said a*ain

as he

*ot o,t o $ed. GThe spirits o all three )ill help me.G

?e to,ched the $ed-c,rtains. GThe6 aren;t torn do)nG he tho,*ht. GThe6

aren;t torn do)n )ith the c,rtain rin*s and all. The6 are here and am

hereNG

?e )ent into the sittin*-room.

GThere;s the door $6 )hich the *host o arle6 enteredG he said Gandthere;s

the corner )here the pirit o Christmas %resent sat and that;s the

)indo)

)here sa) the )anderin* spirits. t;s all ri*htN t;s all tr,eN t all

happenedN

?a-ha-haNG

Keall6 or a man )ho hadn;t la,*hed or man6 6ears that )as a ver6

health6

la,*h the ather o a lon* line o ,t,re la,*hs.


25/30

G don;t kno) )hat da6 it isG tho,*ht croo*e. G don;t kno) ho) lon*

;ve

$een amon* the spirits.G

?e heard the ch,rch $ells rin*in* o,t crash-clan*-din*-don* and he ran

to

the )indo) and opened it. There )as no o* - clear $ri*ht *olden

s,nli*ht.

)eet resh air. err6 $ells.G9hat;s toda6LG cried croo*e callin* do)n to a $o6 )ho )as dressed in

his

$est clothes in the street.

-- %'*ina 4>

G/hLG said the $o6.

G9hat;s toda6LG said croo*e.

GToda6LG ans)ered the $o6. Gt;s Christmas Da6 o co,rseNG

Gt;s Christmas Da6NG said croo*e to himsel. G haven;t missed it. The

spirits

have done it all in one ni*htN ?,llo m6 $o6N Do 6o, kno) that shop in

thenext street )here there )as a $i* t,rke6 han*in* ,pL =ot a small t,rke6 -

the

ver6 $i* t,rke6.G

G9hat the one as $i* as meLG ans)ered the $o6.

GJes m6 $o6G said croo*e.

Gt;s han*in* there no)G said the $o6.

Gs itLG said croo*e. G9ell *o and $,6 it. Tell the man to $rin* it

here and

)ill tell him )here to take it. Come $ack )ith the man and ;ll *ive 6o,

ten

pence. Come $ack in less than ive min,tes and ;ll *ive 6o, t)ent6

pence.G

The $o6 ran o.G;ll send it to #o$ Cratchit;sG croo*e told himsel. G?e )on;t kno)

)ho

sent it. t;s t)ice the sie o Tin6 TimNG

Then croo*e )ent ,pstairs and p,t on his $est clothes and at last he

)ent

o,t into the streets. The people )ere $6 this time po,rin* o,t o their

ho,ses

as he had seen them )ith the pirit o Christmas %resent.

-- %'*ina 48

9alkin* )ith his hands $ehind him croo*e looked at them )ith adeli*hted

smile. ?e looked so pleasant that three or o,r men said GIood mornin*

sir.

A merr6 Christmas to 6o,NG and croo*e oten said ater)ards that o all

the

so,nds he had ever heard those )ere the happiest in his ears.

?e had not *one ar )hen he sa) one o the *entlemen )ho had come into

his oice the da6 $eore and said Gcroo*e and arle6;s $elieve.G

G6 dear sirG said croo*e takin* the old *entleman $6 $oth hands Gho)


26/30

do 6o, doL hope 6o, *ot a lot o mone6 6esterda6. t )as ver6 kind o

6o, to

come to me. A merr6 Christmas to 6o, sirNG

Gr croo*eLG

GJesG said croo*e Gthat is m6 name $,t ;m araid it ma6 not $e ver6

pleasant to 6o,. 9ill 6o, or*ive me and )ill 6o, please... G ?ere

croo*e

spoke ver6 M,ietl6.G#less meNG said the *entleman. G6 dear r croo*e are 6o, serio,sLG

G 6o, pleaseG said croo*e Gallo) me to *ive 6o, that not a penn6

less.

And there are a *reat man6 $ack pa6ments that o)e 6o,. Come and see me

and 6o, shall have the mone6.G

G )illNG said the old *entleman.

croo*e )ent to ch,rch and ater)ards )alked a$o,t the streets and

)atched the people h,rr6in* this )a6 and that.

-- %'*ina 4

n the aternoon croo*e )ent to his nephe);s ho,se. ?e passed the door

several times $eore he elt $rave eno,*h to *o in.Gs 6o,r master at homeLG he said to the *irl.

GJes sir.G

G9here is he m6 dearLG said croo*e.

G?e;s in the dinin* room sir.G

GThank 6o,. ?e kno)s me. ;ll *o in hereG said croo*e.

The6 )ere lookin* at the ta$le )hich )as spread o,t all read6 or the

meal.

GredNG said croo*e.

G9h6 $less m6 so,lNG cried red. G9ho;s thatLG

Gt;s 6o,r ,ncle crooMe. ;ve come to dinner. 9ill 6o, let me in redLG

t )as a )onder,l part6 )onder,l *ames )onder,l happiness.

?e )as earl6 at the oice next mornin*. The clock str,ck nine. #o$Cratchit

)as not there. A M,arter past nine. till he had not come. ?e )as

ei*hteen

min,tes late. croo*e sat there )ith the door )ide open so that he co,ld

see

him come in.

G?elloG said croo*e in his ,s,al voice G)h6 are 6o, lateLG

G;m sorr6 sirG said #o$. G am late $,t it;s onl6 once a 6ear sir.

)as

makin* rather merr6 6esterda6.G

-- %'*ina 50

G=o) ;ll tell 6o, )hat ;ll doG said croo*e. G;ll raise 6o,r pa6.

And ;ll tr6

to help 6o, )ith 6o,r amil6. 9e m,st talk a$o,t that this aternoon. %,t

more

coal on the ire. #,6 another coal$ox or 6o,r room #o$ Cratchit.G

Tin6 Tim did not die. croo*e )as like a second ather to the amil6. ?e

$ecame as *ood a riend and as *ood a master and as *ood a man as an6 in

the cit6. And the6 al)a6s said o him that he kne) ho) to keep Christmas


27/30

)ell. a6 that $e tr,l6 said o all. o ,sN

o as Tin6 Tim said GIod $less ,s all ever6 oneNG

-- %'*ina 52

- 9h6 )ere there tears in the *irl;s e6esL

- he told croo*e that he had chan*ed. 9hat )as the chan*eL

8 - 9ho )as the mother o the lovel6 6o,n* *irlL

3. The second o the three spirits

- 9hat )as the name o the second spiritL

2 - 9here did the spirit take croo*e irstL

3 - 9ho )as the @:ratchits; 6o,n*est childL

4 - 9h6 did artha hideL5 - 9hat )as )ron* )ith the little $o6L

> - 9h6 did artha come o,t o her hidin* placeL

- 9hat t)o thin*s did the Cratchit amil6 eat or their Christmas

dinnerL

8 - 9here did the spirit take croo*e nextL

- 9hat )as the ans)er to red in the GJes and =oG *ameL

0 - 9ho )ere the t)o children at the spirit;s sideL

-- %'*ina 53

4 The last o the three spirits

- 9hat )as the name o the third spiritL

2 - 9hat had the ,ndertaker;s man stolen rom the dead manL3 - 9hat had rs Dil$er the )asher)oman stolenL

4 - 9hat had the cleaner-)oman takenL

5 - 9here )as the dead man;s niMhtshirt )hen she took itL

> - crooMe sa) t)o people )ho o)ed him mone6. 9ho )ere the6L

- 9here had #o$ Cratchit $eenL

8 - 9ho )anted to $e kind to the CratchitsL

- 9hose *rave did croo*e seeL

0 - 9hat did croo*e promise not to or*etL


28/30

5. The end o it

- 9here )as croo*e )hen the third spirit disappearedL

2 - 9ho told croo*e that it )as Christmas Da6L

3 - 9here did he send the t,rke6L

4 - 9hat did $e ask the old *entleman to doL

5 - 9here did he have dinnerL

-- %'*ina 54


29/30

-- %'*ina 55

e. GIod $less ,s all ever6 oneNG

- 9ho said itL

2 - 9here and )hen )ere the )ords spokenL

3 - The )ords appear in t)o places in the $ook. 9here is the second

placeL

4 - 9hat happened to the speaker in the endL

4. Tin6 Tim $ro,*ht tears to the e6es o tho,sands o men )omen and

children in #ritain. Can 6o, *ive a reason or thatL

5 9hat do 6o, think )ere Charles Dickens;s chie reasons or )ritin* A

Christmas CarolL

-- %'*ina 5>

=e) )ords

$edpost - one o the o,r posts that held ,p the c,rtains ro,nd a $ed in

ormer times

carol - a son* a$o,t Christmas

eve - the da6 $eoreQ Christmas /ve - 24th Decem$er the da6 $eore

Christmas Da6

iddle a violin - a m,sical

instr,ment )ith o,r time at Christmas strin*s pla6ed $6 a iddler

o*

ver6 thick clo,d do)n over the *ro,nd

*host the spirit o a dead person seen $6 a livin* personQ a $ein* rom

an ,nseen

)orld

*oose

a lar*e $ird rather like a $i* d,ckQ pl,ral: *eese

*rave

the place in the *ro,nd or a dead person;s $od6

holl6

the dark *reen leaves and small red r,it o a tree

h,m$,*

nonsenseQ pretence

i*norance

not kno)in* eno,*hQ kno)in* nothin*

merc6

kindness to those )ho s,er or a )eakQ or*iveness


30/30

merr6

la,*hin* and happ6Q err6 ChristmasN - ?ave a happ6 time at ChristmasN

nephe)

6o,r $rother;s or sister;s son

tin6

ver6 small

t,rke6

a $i* $ird eaten at Christmas

,ndertaker

a man )hose $,siness is arran*in* the solemn matter or p,ttin* a dead

person;s $od6 in a *rave

)orkho,se

@in Dickens;s time a misera$le place or people )ho had no )ork or mone6

inal do livro

A Chrhristmas Carol - Charles Dickens

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