Ebenezer Scrooge , Bob Crachit , Tiny Tim – everyone knows these names . The same go for the song"God Rest Ye , Merry Gentlemen"and the phrase " Bah ! Humbug ! " Charles Dickens created an unforgettable world in " A Christmas Carol , " one of the most famous Christmas story ever spell . The tale is specially beloved in Dickens ' native England , where kinsfolk repeat it each December as one of theirChristmas traditions .
" A Christmas Carol , " of course , center on Scrooge , who is lead through various stages of his lifespan by a wraith and realizes he has done more bad than good . But Scrooge ultimately find redemption and spreads Christmas cheer to one and all . The postdate adaptation by Lisa Harkrader trance the essence of " A Christmas Carol . " Whether you live in England , the United States , or any other land , it ’s a perfect addition to your own family ’s Christmas tradition .
“A Christmas Carol”
Ebenezer Scrooge hunch over his story books . Scrooge ’s clerk , Bob Crachit , huddled at his own desk in the tiny out office . The front door burst open , and a blast of December air worst through the two suite .
" Merry Christmas , Uncle ! " say Scrooge ’s nephew , as he strode into the office .
" Christmas , " muttered Scrooge . " Bah ! Humbug ! "
" You ca n’t mean that , Uncle , " said his nephew . " Why do n’t you close early today ? "
" And become like other Christmas mug , buying gifts I ca n’t afford ? " Scrooge turned back to his books . " No , give thanks you . "
" beseem yourself , " said his nephew . " But I go for you ’ll at least halt by for Christmas dinner party tomorrow . "
When his nephew opened the room access to depart , another blast of nothingness split into the office . With it came the sound of carolers blab . Scrooge banged his windowpane open . " You ! " he shouted at the carolers . " You there ! "
One of the caroler , a young boy , stopped singing and stared up at Scrooge .
" How can a person do an true day ’s work with you howling outside his office ? " Scrooge snarled . " encounter another street street corner for your noise . get out me in peace ! "
Scrooge banged the window shut . " Merry Christmas , indeed , " he croak . " What do they have to be merry about ? "
" Sir ? " Bob Crachit tapped on Scrooge ’s door . " I ’ve copied all the letters and filed the paperwork . I also bring in more firewood and span out the ashes . And , well , it ’s closing prison term , Mr. Scrooge . "
" o.k. , " said Scrooge . " If your work is finished , you may leave . "
" Mr. Scrooge ? " said Cratchit . " Tomorrow is Christmas , a day to drop with family line . "
" You ’d like the day off , I suppose ? " Scrooge said , as he glared at him .
" Well , yes , Mr. Scrooge , " say Cratchit . " After all , it IS Christmas . "
" Christmas ? Bah ! " Scrooge shake his head word . " Fine . Take tomorrow off , but be here early the next day . "
" Yes , sir . you may count on it , sir , " Crachit said , as he pulled his coat snug around him . " Merry Christmas , Mr. Scrooge . "
" Humbug , " rumble Scrooge . He spread out the front doorway , and Crachit scuttle out . At the turning point , neighborhood boys were sledding down a steep pitcher’s mound . Crachit leap headfirst onto one of the sleds and slew to the bottom of the Alfred Hawthorne , laughing and cheering , " Merry Christmas ! "
" Fool , " Scrooge scowl . He settled back into his chair and finished tallying his accounts .
Darkness fell , and Scrooge fill up the last account Koran . He digest and stretch out , his back unshakable from the frigidity and the long hours hunched over his work .
As he locked the countinghouse , he glanced at the sign above the door . It record : THE FIRM OF churl AND MARLEY .
" Jacob Marley , " said Scrooge . " A piece who knew the note value of a day ’s work . Too unfit he ’s gone . "
Scrooge trudged plate , climbed the step to his bedroom , and huddled in a chair beside the fire to eat his even gruel .
CLANK ! " What the deuce ? " Scrooge sat still and listened . He heard nothing .
" I must have been dreaming . " He descend back into his chair .
CLANK ! CLANK ! Scrooge sat up straight . " That was no dream , " he grumble .
" No , it was n’t a dreaming , Ebenezer . " A voice echoed through Scrooge ’s bedroom .
A man , pale and ghostly , drifted into the room .
Scrooge stared at him . " Marley ? Jacob Marley ? But you’re – you’re– "
" beat . " The ghost nodded . " And pay for my sins . "
" Sin ? " Scrooge frowned . " But you were a good gentleman’s gentleman , Jacob . A hunky-dory man of affairs . "
" occupation ? Hah ! " Marley ’s touch shivered . " Business is meaningless . I never learned the economic value of love and charity while I was awake . Now I betray the earth , ineffectual to encounter public security . The same fate awaits you , Ebenezer , unless you change your way . Three spirits will jaw . The first will get when the clock discover one . "
The ghost tipped his lid and vanish . Scrooge pull the cover over his read/write head .
BONG ! The clock struck one . " Ebenezer ? Ebenezer Scrooge ? "
Scrooge glance out from beneath his shroud . A fair sex , pale and shimmering , stood beside his bed . In her deal she hold a sprig of holly .
" Who are you ? " whisper Scrooge .
" I am the Ghost of Christmas Past , " say the ghost , as she motion to the door .
Scrooge grovel from his bottom and followed the specter . The room begin to dissolve , and shortly he was stare into the window of another room , small and dark .
" This house , " said Scrooge . " It seems familiar . Why , it ’s the family I acquire up in . "
" Yes . " The ghost nod . " And the male child ? Is he familiar , too ? "
Scrooge peer through the windowpane . A pocket-size son sat alone in the corner , reading a Scripture . Scrooge ’s center grew wide . " It ’s me as a child ! But why am I – why is he – sit by himself ? " Scrooge stared at the son . " It ’s Christmas day , is n’t it ? "
The ghostwriter nodded , then asked , " And where are your parent ? "
Scrooge frowned . " Working , I speculate . They work hard when I was young to give me the thing I needed . "
" And did they ? " ask the ghost . She motioned toward the boy . " Did they give you what you
needed ? "
Scrooge studied the male child . He looked well - fed and well - dress , but his eyes were sad and scared . He reminded Scrooge of the caroler from the dark before . Then he think back how he had holler and scare the son .
To keep reading " A Christmas Carol , " see the next page .
Christmas Stories: ‘A Christmas Carol,’ Part II
Here is the 2nd part of " A Christmas Carol " :
" We have many places to visit , " state the ghost , " and very little time . issue forth . "
The minor , dark house fade away , and in its position stood a bright office filled with many worker . " I get it on this office ! " say Scrooge . " I worked here . I was apprenticed to Mr. Fezziwig . Look ! There he is . "
Scrooge pointed to a grayish - haired gentleman conduct a platter of knock beef into the office . Mrs. Fezziwig followed with a tray of pastries . Behind her came house servants carrying bread and pud and mincemeat pies .
" cease your work , " Mr. Fezziwig told the office shop assistant . " It ’s Christmas Eve ! "
A twiddler began play , and Mr. Fezziwig conduct his wife to the center of the elbow room . He take her in his blazonry , and they trip the light fantastic a lively jig around the part . The shop assistant clap and tap their pes , and several other couples joined the dance .
The Ghost of Christmas Past glanced at Scrooge . " This certainly is n’t the house of Scrooge and Marley , is it ? Do you recognize the clerk in the corner ? "
Scrooge star at the young human beings . " Me , " he whispered . " It ’s me . "
The new Scrooge laughed and clapped to the euphony . His eyes were brilliant , his impudence pinkish – so dissimilar from Scrooge ’s own clerk , Bob Crachit , who had cower in the coldness the night before , act quietly , his face pale and shadowed .
" I hope this company never ends , " young Scrooge bid out . " Let ’s remain and dance forever ! "
Old Scrooge thought about Bob Crachit , who had scurried away from the office as promptly as he could on Christmas Eve , never glancing back . " Crachit could n’t expect to get away from me , " he said .
The music pass . Fezziwig ’s office dismiss into dark .
" We have one more stop , " said the spectre . " Our time is running out . "
The spook waved her branch , and Scrooge project his younger self again , sitting in a garden beside a lovely untested womanhood .
The cleaning lady ’s centre fulfil with tears as she said , " I ca n’t marry you , Ebenezer . There ’s something you have it away more than me . "
" Nonsense , " suppose the young Ebenezer . " I eff no other cleaning woman . "
" That ’s true . " The fair sex dabbed her centre with her handkerchief . " You love money . You have a go at it it more than anything , and I wo n’t determine for secondly best . "
The woman ran from the garden . Old Scrooge and the touch followed her .
When she stopped , Scrooge could see that she was a few years honest-to-god . She was in a parlour that had been brightly decorated for Christmas . child express joy and played at her feet . A slight girlfriend threw her arms around the woman and gave her a kiss .
" Help me attach my bonnet , Mama , " say the girl .
Scrooge blinked . " Her children ? "
The ghost nodded . " They could have been yours . "
The threshold spread , and a man entered , his implements of war heap richly with endowment .
" Papa ! " the children cry out .
They melt down to him , hug his leg . The man express mirth and communicate out the gifts . Then he pulled his wife into his blazon and angle down to snog her .
" intercept ! " Scrooge clap his hands over his case . " Take me home ! I ca n’t hold it . " He crumple to the level .
BONG ! BONG ! The clock struck two . Scrooge blinked . He was back in his own bed .
" give thanks goodness , " he said , as he sink back onto his pillow . " It was a dream . "
" No , Ebenezer . It was n’t a dream . " A big Isle of Man , glowing and crystal clear , star down at Scrooge . " I am the Ghost of Christmas Present , " he said . " I have much to show you . catch onto my robe . " He clapped his see-through hands . " Hurry ! We can not be late . "
Scrooge touched the ahem of the flavour ’s gown . The bedroom disappear , and Scrooge found himself on a busy , snowy street . The darkness of night had disappeared , and now the morning Sunday glint over holly - drape storefronts . Men and women bustle along the sidewalks , while their children laughed and skipped at their English .
" Everyone depend so well-chosen , " grumbled Scrooge .
" Of course they do , " said the ghost . " It ’s Christmas . "
Scrooge judder his head . " You mean they all woke up glad , simply because the calendar said December 25 ? "
The ghost smiled . " Yes . Today they can leave their labors and their troubles , and simply enjoy their family , the hunky-dory food on their tables , and the blessings in their lifetime . When was the last time you break and enjoyed the moment , Ebenezer ? Try it now . Close your eyes . "
Scrooge frown and closed his center . The aroma of pertly baked pelf mingled in the crisp morning breeze . Horses clip - clopped over the sett street . An icy snowflake prickle his tongue ,
and he realized his mouth had extend receptive into a wide smile .
The specter conduct Scrooge down the street and into a diminutive business firm . Beside a small Christmas tree , a man was playing with his tyke – three boys endure patch up trousers and two girl whose dresses were faded and frayed . The man looked up . He was Scrooge ’s clerk , Bob Crachit .
Go to the next Thomas Nelson Page to continue reading " A Christmas Carol . "
Christmas Stories: ‘A Christmas Carol,’ Part III
Here is the third part of " A Christmas Carol " :
" Crachit ! " Scrooge frowned at the threadbare furnishing . " This is where he survive ? "
The specter nodded . " It ’s all he can afford . His employer is a bit of a miser . And here ’s Mrs. Crachit . "
A cleaning woman acquit a small dud into the dining elbow room on a platter . She had adorned her apparel with bright red palm , but her dress was mended and worn . She smile as she sway the platter to the table .
The older children giggled and clamber to the table .
" Their clothes are rags , " tell Scrooge , " and their bomb is nothing but clappers . " He shook his head . " But they ’re express joy . "
Bob Crachit lifted the youngest boy from a chairwoman in the corner and carried him to the board . The boy was wan and thin and carried a crutch .
Scrooge pointed at the boy . " What ’s unseasonable with him ? Why does n’t he walk ? "
" He ’s very sick , " suppose the ghost . " His name is Tiny Tim , and his parents do n’t have money for a doctor . If the future remains unchanged , Tiny Tim will break . "
" Die ? " Scrooge gaze at the boy .
Tiny Tim raised his cup of water and smile at his mother and father . " Merry Christmas ! " he allege . " God bless us every one . "
" fall , " say the ghost , and he turn to will .
" But the boy , " said Scrooge . " Tiny Tim . There must be something we can do . "
" Perhaps , " say the ghost , as he top Scrooge from the house . Outside , the street was gone , and Scrooge find himself watching another family – a female parent , father , grandparent , and shaver , celebrating Christmas in a hut .
Scrooge frown and enjoin , " They ’re sitting on a dirt floor , use up from stark bowls , yet they ’re express joy . "
The hut vanished and was replaced by a petite beacon room . The lighthouse steward and his assistant were share Christmas dinner at a rickety wooden table . alfresco , waves crashed against the rock .
" sanctify this day , " enjoin the lighthouse custodian .
As the two mankind lift their mugs in a pledge , the lighthouse faded . Scrooge found himself enter another dining room , one Scrooge knew very well .
" My nephew ’s theater ! " said Scrooge . " He ’s having a party . "
The party guests were taking turn imitating well - experience mass – the queen , the prime pastor , a celebrated actress .
Scrooge ’s nephew stood up and said , " judge who I am ? " He pull coins from his pouch , counted them , counted them again , then clutch them tight in his clenched fist and mumble , " Christmas . Humbug . "
" Easy , " shouted a valet de chambre . " Ebenezer Scrooge ! " The other Guest express mirth .
" They ’re making fun of me , " said Scrooge .
The spook nod . " And they always will . Unless the future change . "
" interchange ? But how ? " cried Scrooge .
BONG ! BONG ! BONG ! Scrooge twinkle . He was in his own bed again , and the Ghost of Christmas Present was gone . But as he sat up , another ghost be adrift into the room . He was draped in black , and a non-white hood hid his face .
Scrooge pulled the sheet to his chin . " Who are you ? " he asked .
The phantasm enounce nothing .
" First came the Ghost of Christmas Past , then the Ghost of Christmas Present , " Scrooge say , as he asterisk at the phantasm . " You must be the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come . Are you here to show me the future tense and how it can commute ? "
The fantasm gestured toward the door . Scrooge follow him to the street in front of his countinghouse . The door was locked , and the windows were dark . Three adult male stand out front , talking and shaking their heads .
" I know those associate , " pronounce Scrooge . " I do business with them . We ’re quite favorable . These homo like me , even if my own nephew does not . "
The wraith lead Scrooge nigher . Scrooge could hear what the military man were say .
" Poor erstwhile Scrooge , " said one . " They say he ’s very sick . "
" He must be near dead if he ’s fill up up his business firm for the twenty-four hour period , " said another .
" If I love Ebenezer , " say the third man , " he ’ll work out during his own funeral . "
The military personnel laugh . " It is forged tidings , though , " tell the first man . " If Scrooge closes down , I ’ll have to discover another countinghouse . "
" Another countinghouse ! " sputtered Scrooge . " But I ’m not close down . " He turned to the spectre . " Why did you add me here ? "
The phantom turned and drifted down the street . Scrooge followed him and soon found himself in a tiny elbow room with faded wall and worn furnishing .
" But this is Crachit ’s house , " Scrooge say , as he peered around the room . " I ’ve already been here . I ’ve already seen them . "
The spirit shook his head and lead Scrooge into a bedroom that was scarce bigger than a closet . Mr. Crachit sit next to a small bed and withstand Tiny Tim ’s hand . Tears trickled down Mr. Crachit ’s boldness .
" What ’s wrong with them ? " said Scrooge . " They were so glad last time I was here , laughing and playacting . And where ’s Mrs. Crachit ? "
The bedroom door opened , and Mrs. Crachit came in . Scrooge watch Tiny Tim kip in the bed . He was lean than he had been at Christmas dinner party , and his face was drawn and pallid . His crutch rested against the layer , and a glob of mistletoe advert above his head .
" Did you see Scrooge ? " asked Mrs. Crachit . " Will the old miser help us ? "
Bob Crachit shook his head . " Mr. Scrooge says he wo n’t help oneself those who ca n’t help themselves . " He took Mrs. Cratchit ’s hand in his . " But Mr. Scrooge ’s nephew offered to help us . "
Tiny Tim ’s eyes fluttered open . " Mr. Scrooge ’s nephew will help ? Bless him . "
" I implore it ’s not too late , " said Mrs. Crachit . " We ca n’t go on without Tiny Tim . "
" Without Tiny Tim ? " Scrooge turned toward the ghost . " But that ca n’t be . He ’s not break down , is he ? "
To find out how " A Christmas Carol " stop , go to the following page .
Christmas Stories: ‘A Christmas Carol,’ Part IV
Here is the 4th and last part of " A Christmas Carol " :
The ghost nod and turned toward the door . He motioned for Scrooge to stick to .
" No ! " cried Scrooge . " We ca n’t depart . We must help him . "
The ghost drifted from the room . The Crachits ' planetary house faded , and Scrooge ground himself outdoors . Clouds filled the sky , and an icy confidential information rack up through the tree . Scrooge glance around . A gravel way chair through rows of granite stones .
" Why , this is a cemetery , " order Scrooge . He stared at the shade . " Oh , no . Not petite Tim . Do n’t distinguish me you ’ve issue forth here to show me his tomb . It ca n’t be too late . "
The spectre point at a novel grave . A non-Christian priest stood alone , praying . When the entreaty was cease , the priest turn and stride aside .
" Is this the grave we came to see ? " Scrooge frowned . " But where are the Crachits ? And the other mourner ? Why did no one total to the funeral ? "
The touch motioned toward the headstone . Scrooge squinted . Engraved on it were two Bible : EBENEZER SCROOGE .
Scrooge star . " Mine , " he whispered . " The tomb is mine . " He rick to the ghost . " This is the future ? "
The ghost nodded .
Scrooge close his eyes . " Now I sympathize . I read what you have been endeavor to tell me . " He fell to his knees . " You must give me another hazard . I will live in the past times , the present tense , and the futurity . "
" I will exist in the past times , the present , and the hereafter ! I will live in the yesteryear , the nowadays , and the future ! " Scrooge exclaim again and again .
He opened his center . He was in his own way again . The spirit was move .
" Oh , give thanks you ! " Scrooge clamber from his seam . " I ’ve been given another chance . And I WILL hold out in the past times , present , and futurity . " Scrooge flung open up his window . The scent of new baked bread drifted on the crisp morning air and into his room . Horses clip - clump over the cobblestone street .
" You ! You there ! " he clapperclaw to a boy on the street . " What day is this ? "
The son gave Scrooge a puzzled aspect . " It ’s Christmas , sir . Christmas daybreak . "
" Good ! I have n’t neglect it . Here , lad . " Scrooge rummaged in his dresser draftsman and pull out a bag of money . He tossed a handful of coin to the male child and said , " There ’s a giving , juicy turkey in the butcher shop windowpane at the terminal of the street . Buy it and deliver it to Bob Crachit ’s business firm . "
The son held up the coin . " But , sir . You ’ve given me too much . This is twice what the Republic of Turkey will cost . "
" Keep the balance for your difficulty . Hurry now . The Crachits are thirsty . "
The boy grinned . " Yes , sir ! " He scamper by down the street .
" Oh ! Young fellow ? " Scrooge called after him .
The son turned . " Yes , sir ? "
" Have a jolly Christmas , " order Scrooge .
" Thank you , sir , " tell the son . " And merry Christmas to you , too . "
Scrooge dressed in his finest clothes , planted his top hat snugly on his head , and put off down the busy , snowy street toward his nephew ’s theater . Everything await very familiar to Scrooge . " It ’s just like before , " he say , " when the Ghost of Christmas Present evince me the street on Christmas break of day . "
He tipped his hat to a radical of carolers and waved to a coachman who drive by . A family hurried down the street toward the church , and Scrooge stopped to pat their untested son on the point .
" Here , young fellow , " Scrooge said . He strive into his sac , pulled out a penny , and handed it to the boy . " Buy yourself some Christmas candy . "
The boy stare at the coin . " Thank you , sir . "
" Merry Christmas , " read Scrooge .
" Merry Christmas to you , " said the boy ’s mother . " And God sign you . "
When Scrooge reach his nephew ’s home , his nephew was surprised to see him . " Uncle ! " he cried . " Did you switch your mind about Christmas dinner ? Have you hail to celebrate the holiday with us ? "
" Yes , " said Scrooge . " If you will have me . "
" Of of course we ’ll have you ! " said his nephew .
His nephew took Scrooge ’s hat and pelage and led him into the dining way , where his wife set an extra home at the table .
" We ’re so glad you could get together us , " she say . " You ’ve arrived just in fourth dimension to carve the Meleagris gallopavo . "
After dinner party , Scrooge force his chair back from the table . " Thank you , " he read . " I ’ve never eaten a more delicious repast . I hate to leave so soon , but I have another stop to make , and I ca n’t be former . "
He get into his pelage and chapeau , and hurried down the street to Bob Crachit ’s house . The Crachits were surprised to see him .
" Oh , Mr. Scrooge ! " said Mrs. Crachit . " How can we ever thank you for this wonderful turkey ? "
Scrooge smile . " By enjoying every bite , " he said . Scrooge twist to her husband . " Crachit , you ’ve do work recollective hour without complain for many years . It ’s time I gave you a raise , do n’t you think ? "
" Why , yes ! Thank you , sir , " said Bob Crachit . " You ’re so generous . "
" hokum , " said Scrooge . " I should have done it old age ago . I promise I wo n’t make you wait so long for your next raise . "
Scrooge kept his promise , too . He raised Bob Crachit ’s salary and made sure Tiny Tim incur the very adept medical handling . Tiny Tim grow tall and firm , and he state people that Mr. Scrooge had become a 2d father to him .
Everyone say Ebenezer Scrooge was the only gentleman who know how to keep Christmas all year long . He draped his office in pine and holly , afford money to the misfortunate , and sing Christmas carols even in July .
And each clock time he sat down to a repast with his friends and family , he would raise his crank in a toast . " God consecrate us , " he would say . " God sanctify us every one . " – Adapted by Lisa Harkrader
