mean, covetous old sinner—cold to the sight, cold to the touch, and
cold of heart, with no thaw in sight. His life is a lonely existence, and
the world is worse off for it.
Over the course of the evening, the three spirits visit Scrooge to
show him his past, present, and future. Through these visits he sees
how he became the man he is, how his life is currently going, and
what will ultimately happen to him and those around him. It’s a
terrifying experience that leaves him visibly shaken when he wakes
the next morning. Not knowing whether it was real or a dream, but
giddy upon discovering no time has passed, Scrooge realizes there is
still time to alter his fate. In a joyous blur, he rushes into the street
and instructs the first boy he sees to go buy the biggest turkey at the
market and send it anonymously to the home of his sole employee,
Bob Cratchit. Upon seeing a gentleman he’d once rebuffed for
pleading charity for the needy, he prays for forgiveness and promises
to donate huge sums of money to the poor.
Ebenezer eventually ends up at the home of his nephew, where
he begs forgiveness for being such a fool for far too long and accepts
an invitation to stay for holiday dinner. His nephew’s wife and guests,
shocked at his heartfelt bliss, can barely believe this is Scrooge.
The next morning, Bob Cratchit, upon arriving noticeably late to
work, is confronted by Scrooge: “What do you mean coming here at
this time of day? I am not going to stand for this sort of thing any
longer!” Before this wretched news can sink in, the incredulous
Cratchit hears him say, “And therefore I am about to raise your
salary!”
Scrooge goes on to become the Cratchit family’s benefactor. He
finds a doctor for Tiny Tim, Cratchit’s invalid son, and becomes like
a second father to him. Scrooge lives out the rest of his days spending
his time and money doing everything he can for others.
Through this simple story, Charles Dickens shows us a simple
formula for creating an extraordinary life: Live with purpose. Live by
coco
(coco)
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