Ebenezer Scrooge is a greedy, grouchy and stingy old man. He is visited by the Christmas ghosts, who give him a chance to change his nasty ways.
time, on a freezing cold Christmas Eve, Scrooge sat busy in his office. Suddenly, Scrooge’s nephew Fred cheerfully entered the office. “A merry Christmas, uncle!” Fred said. “Bah!” said Scrooge, “Humbug!” “Christmas? You have to pay bills without money! You’re a year older but not an hour richer! Celebrate Christmas in your way, and let me celebrate it my way.” “But you don’t celebrate Xmas,” said Fred, “Why don’t you come and join us for Xmas?” But Scrooge said, ”No, just get out!” Later, when it was time to close the office, Scrooge spoke to his clerk, Bob Cratchit. “I suppose you want the day off for Xmas, do
you?” “If that is ok, Sir,” answered Bob. “No, It’s not okay, and it is not fair.! I’ll have to pay you for the day even though you won’t work. But if you start work even earlier the day after Christmas, then I suppose you can have the day off.” Bob agreed that he would, and they left the office. Scrooge lived all alone in a spooky old house. He was sitting alone in his cold living room. Suddenly, he heard a noise. It sounded like someone dragging a heavy chain. It came nearer and nearer, and then Scrooge saw a ghost coming right through the door. It was Marley’s ghost, and he was chained to money boxes, keys, and all sorts of banking things. “Who are you?” said Scrooge. “In life, I was your partner, Jacob Marley.” “What are you doing here?” “I must wander for eternity with these chains because I was so stingy. I only cared about making money but not about the people around me. I have come to warn you, Ebenezer. You have a chance! Three spirits will come to you. The first will come tomorrow when the clock strikes one!” Then Marley’s ghost disappeared. Scrooge peered out of the frosty window, but there was no one there. He rushed straight to bed and fell asleep immediately. When he woke up, it was cold, dark, and quiet. He thought of the ghost. “Bah! It must have been a dream,” he muttered. Suddenly, the clock struck one. A small hand drew back the curtains. Terrified, Scrooge found himself face to face with a strange figure, like a child, but also with long white hair, like an old man. “Who, and what are you?” Scrooge asked. “I am the Ghost of Christmas Past,” said the ghost, “Come with me.” The ghost took Scrooge back in time, to when Scrooge was a boy. There Scrooge could see his younger self playing with other kids. They were cheer-fully cavorting around a Christmas tree. Although they were poor, they had lots of fun. Then they went a bit further forward in time, to when Scrooge had his first job. He saw the merry Christmas Eve party he had with his boss, Mr Fezziwig. There were food and music and dancing and everybody was happy. Then they went even further in time to a slightly older Scrooge. He was sit-ting beside a young woman, named Belle. She was Scrooge’s girlfriend. She was crying. “It is sad to see,” she said, “that your love of gold and riches is greater than your love for me. Goodbye, Ebenezer.” “Spirit,” roared Scrooge, “Enough! Take me home. Why do you torture me?” “One more,” said the ghost. Now they were in a small but comfortable house. A happy family was celebrating Christmas by a crackling fire, laughing and hugging each other. It was Belle, now married to another kind-looking man with little children. “Spirit,” said Scrooge, “Take me back! I cannot bear it any longer.” Scrooge found himself in his own bed again, exhausted. He sank into a deep sleep again. But not for long. The clock struck one again, and Scrooge woke up to see the second spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Present. It had curly brown hair and sparkling eyes. It took Scrooge’s hand and brought him to Bob Cratchit’s poor little house. In the kitchen, Mrs Cratchit was preparing Christmas dinner. Her children were playing and laughing. Bob came in the kitchen with his son, Tiny Tim, sitting on his shoulders. Tim had a little crutch and had an iron frame around his legs. Tiny Tim was desperately and dangerously ill. When Christmas dinner was ready, everyone sat down at the table. With the little they had, Mrs Cratchitt had prepared a wonderful Xmas meal. “A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears!” said Bob Cratchit. “Merry Xmas dear family!” said Tiny Tim. He sat very close to his daddy upon his little chair. Bob held his little hand tightly as if he was scared of losing him. Scrooge felt pity for the little boy. “Spirit,” he said, “tell me if Tiny Tim will sur-vive.” “I see an empty chair,” replied the ghost, “and a crutch without an owner. Without help, the child will die.” Then, the spirit took Scrooge to visit many homes in many places. They saw sick peo-ple who were happy, poor people who felt rich that day, all because of the Christmas Spirit. The bell struck twelve. The Ghost of Christmas Present disappeared. Scrooge saw the third ghost coming towards him. “Are you the Ghost of Christmas Future?” asked Scrooge, in terror. The ghost did not say a word but took Scrooge through the city. Scrooge heard some men talking about a person who had died. “Who are they talking about?” asked Scrooge, but the spirit pulled Scrooge along. They stopped in a gloomy place where thieves and rascals lived. They had all sorts of stolen things with them.
“Ha, ha!” laughed a woman, “He scared everyone away from him when he was alive, but now we can enjoy his riches because he’s dead! Ha, ha, ha!” The ghost moved on and took Scrooge to the graveyard. The spirit stood between the graves and pointed down to one. Scrooge slowly went towards it and read on the grave-stone, “Ebenezer Scrooge.” “Spirit!” Scrooge cried, “Please! This is not the man I want to be! Is there no hope for me to change? I will honour the true spirit of Christmas in my heart! And I will do this for the whole year! I have understood your lesson. Please, let me change my fate? Full of fear and panic, Scrooge reached for the spirit’s hand. But the spirit was gone. Scrooge was back in his bedroom. “I will honour the Christmas spirit,” he said, as he got out of bed. He ran to the window, opened it, and put out his head. “What day is it today?” cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy walking past. “Today?” replied the boy. “It Xmas day!” “Christmas!” said Scrooge to himself. “I haven’t missed it! I still have a chance! Merry Christmas!” he roared. He dressed himself in his best clothes and at last, got out into the street to join in the Christmas fun. He had never dreamed that anything could give him so much happiness. In the after-noon he went to his nephew’s house. “Fred,” said Scrooge, It’s your Uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let me in, Fred?” Of course, Fred let him in; it was a very hearty welcome and they all had a wonderful party. Scrooge was early at the office the next morning. Bob had promised to come into work early the day after Christmas. Scrooge sat with his door wide open, watch-ing…waiting. The door opened, and Bob walked in, head bowed, nervously waiting for the bitterness of Scrooge. “Hallo!” growled Scrooge. “Bob, I have a serious matter to discuss. I think now is the right time………..
…………..to raise your salary! Use the money wisely, and keep your family safe! Merry Christmas, Bob.” Bob was very surprised, and so were many people who found Scrooge so different. As for Tiny Tim, with the money that Scrooge had given Bob, Tiny Tim recovered to per-fect health. Scrooge visited them often and he became a great friend of the family. Scrooge had become a better person. From that day on, he showed everyone exactly what Christmas was all about.
QUIZ TIME!
What is the name of the main character in the story? Answer: D. Ebenezer Scrooge
A. Bob Cratchit
B. Tiny Tim
C. Jacob Marley
D. Ebenezer Scrooge
Who visits Scrooge first on Christmas Eve to warn him about his fate? Answer: D. Jacob Marley's ghost
A. The Ghost of Christmas Past
B. The Ghost of Christmas Present
C. The Ghost of Christmas Future
D. Jacob Marley's ghost
How many spirits visit Scrooge during the night? Answer: C. Three
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
What does the Ghost of Christmas Present show Scrooge that moves him deeply? Answer: B. The impoverished but loving Christmas of the Cratchit family
A. The joyous Christmas celebrations of rich families
B. The impoverished but loving Christmas of the Cratchit family
C. The Christmas parties hosted by Scrooge's nephew Fred
D. The Christmas preparations in the streets of London
How does Scrooge change after his encounters with the spirits? Answer: B. He becomes kind-hearted and generous.
A. He becomes even more miserly.
B. He becomes kind-hearted and generous.
C. He decides to leave London forever.
D. He becomes a recluse in his gloomy house.
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