Charles Dickens
English
Ebenezer Scrooge is a wealthy, miserly, and cold-hearted man who despises Christmas. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him that he will be haunted by three spirits. That night, Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, who takes him back to his childhood and reveals moments of loneliness and regret, including his younger self being abandoned at school and the loss of his beloved sister, Fan. He also witnesses his former apprentice days with Mr. Fezziwig, where he sees the joy of a Christmas party and realizes the importance of generosity and kindness. Next, the Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the vibrant celebrations of Christmas happening throughout the city and in the homes of the poor. He visits the humble dwelling of his clerk, Bob Cratchit, and sees the joy and love shared by the family despite their poverty, and he learns that Tiny Tim, Bob's sickly son, may not survive. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come reveals a grim future: Scrooge sees men discussing his recent death with callous indifference and discovers that his own lonely grave is in a neglected churchyard. He witnesses scenes of people profiting from his death by stealing his belongings and learns that even his debtors, who face ruin, feel relieved by his demise. Horrified by the vision of his own miserable end, Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning filled with remorse and a desire to change. He dedicates himself to honoring Christmas, the Past, the Present, and the Future. He anonymously sends a large turkey to the Cratchit family, gives a generous donation to the charity collectors, visits his nephew and apologizes, and raises Bob Cratchit's salary. Scrooge transforms into a kind, benevolent, and joyful man, becoming a true celebrator of Christmas.
