A Christmas Carol - Part 3: The second of three spirits

Ebenezer Scrooge seems to be changing his ways. He has learnt a lesson from a ghost which took him to the past and now is ready to be visited by the Spirit of Christmas Present.

Transcript

Narrator
Ebenezer Scrooge woke up just before the clock struck one again. He was ready for the Spirit of Christmas Present. This time, he met his guide in the next room, which looked very different from usual. It was decorated with holly and other plants. On the table, there was a lot of delicious Christmas food like turkey, cake, fruit... Scrooge talked to the ghost.

Scrooge
Spirit, take me where you like. Last night I learnt a lesson. Tonight, if you want to teach me, let me profit by it.

Narrator
Oh, that's not the Scrooge we knew before. No longer arrogant?! Well, the Spirit took Scrooge to the edge of the city where his clerk Bob Cratchit lived. The man entered his humble home carrying a little boy who had a crutch and iron around his legs. His wife was preparing the meal.

AT BOB CRATCHIT'S HOUSE

Mrs Cratchit
How did Tiny Tim behave at church, Robert?

Bob Cratchit
As good as gold! He told me on our way home that he hoped that people noticed him in the church, because he's disabled. It might be good for them to remember on Christmas Day our Lord, who made lame people walk and blind men see.

Narrator
Tiny Tim was a sweet little boy who knew the meaning of Christmas. But he was very sick. Scrooge felt sorry for him and asked the Spirit what was going to happen.

Scrooge
Spirit, tell me if Tiny Tim will live.

Spirit of Christmas Present
I see an empty seat in the corner, and a crutch without an owner. If things don't change in the future, the child will die.

Scrooge
No, no. Oh, no, kind Spirit. Say he'll live!

Spirit of Christmas Present
If he's going to die, he should do it, and decrease the surplus population.

Narrator
These words caused a huge and sudden feeling of deep regret in Scrooge's heart. That was exactly what he had said earlier to the gentlemen who had asked for a donation to help the poor. If the poor died it would be good to help decrease the surplus population. Then, Scrooge heard Cratchit mention his name...

Bob Cratchit
After this wonderful dinner, let's raise our glasses. A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears! God bless us! And also Mr Scrooge, the Father of the Feast! Come on, dear wife!

Mrs Cratchit
I wish I had him here, Robert. I'd give him a piece of my mind! Such a horrible, hard, unfeeling man, Mr Scrooge. I'll drink to his health because it is Christmas, but not because of him.

Tiny Tim
God bless us every one!

Bob Cratchit
Thank you, Tim, my dear child.

Narrator
There was no doubt Scrooge was the monster of the family. But if the thought of her husband's selfish boss annoyed Mrs Cratchit, it caused laughter elsewhere. The Ghost of Christmas Present took Scrooge to his nephew's house - to the Christmas dinner the old man had refused to go to.

AT SCROOGE'S NEPHEW'S HOUSE 

Scrooge's Nephew
...and my uncle said that Christmas was a humbug! He's a funny man, that's the truth. And not as pleasant as he could be. However, his crimes carry their own price. His money is of no use to him. He doesn't do any good with it. He doesn't make himself comfortable with it.

Narrator
The house was full of people dancing, playing games. The Spirit noticed that Scrooge was enjoying himself. The night was coming to an end when Scrooge saw two figures at the ghost's feet. What were they? They looked like children, but they were old and frightening. Scrooge was shocked.

Scrooge
I'm sorry to ask but... are they yours? 

Spirit of Christmas Present
They are Man's creatures. The boy is Ignorance. The girl is Want. Be afraid of them both, but most of all you should fear this boy for on his face I see a terrible destiny!

Scrooge
Don't they have a place to go?

Spirit of Christmas Present
Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?

Narrator
Yes, once more Scrooge had his own words repeated back to him. He had always thought the poor had prisons and workhouses to go to, hadn't he? Eat your words, Mr Scrooge! Well, the bell struck twelve and that was it for the Ghost of Christmas Present. He disappeared. But the third spirit was coming. You'll hear about it next time.

Vocabulary

holly
a plant with green prickly leaves and bright red berries which is often associated with Christmas

arrogant
describes someone with a high opinion of their own importance or ability

humble
simple, not worth much money

crutch
support made of metal or wood which fits into the armpit and is used by people who walk with difficulty

disabled
has physical difficulties, for example, can't walk

lame
unable to walk

feast
big and tasty meal with different kinds of food

a piece of my mind
to tell someone in an angry way that they disapprove of their behaviour

ignorance
lack of knowledge or education

want
need of basic things