A Christmas Carol（chapter 3 ）

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 guidein the next room, which looked very different from usual. It was decorated withholly and other plants. On the table, there was a lot of delicious Christmasfood 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 BobCratchit lived. The man entered his humble home carrying a little boy who had acrutch 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 thatpeople noticed him in the church, because he's disabled. It might be good forthem to remember on Christmas Day our Lord, who made lame people walk and blindmen see.

Narrator
Tiny Tim was a sweet little boy who knew the meaning ofChristmas. But he was very sick. Scrooge felt sorry for him and asked theSpirit 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 anowner. 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 inScrooge's heart. That was exactly what he had said earlier to the gentlemen whohad asked for a donation to help the poor. If the poor died it would be good to help decrease thesurplus population. Then, Scrooge heard Cratchit mention hisname...

Bob Cratchit
After this wonderful dinner, let's raise our glasses. A MerryChristmas to us all, my dears! God bless us! And also Mr Scrooge, the Father ofthe 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 healthbecause 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 ifthe thought of her husband's selfish boss annoyed Mrs Cratchit, it causedlaughter elsewhere. The Ghost of Christmas Present took Scrooge to his nephew'shouse - 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 funnyman, that's the truth. And not as pleasant as he could be. However, his crimescarry their own price. His money is of no use to him. He doesn't do any goodwith it. He doesn't make himself comfortable with it.

Narrator
The house was full of people dancing, playing games. The Spiritnoticed that Scrooge was enjoying himself. The night was coming to an end whenScrooge saw two figures at the ghost's feet. What were they? They looked likechildren, 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 isWant. Be afraid of them both, but most of all you should fear this boy for onhis 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 hadprisons and workhouses to go to, hadn't he? Eat your words, MrScrooge! Well, the bell struck twelve and that was it for the Ghost ofChristmas Present. He disappeared. But the third spirit was coming. You'll hearabout it next time.