A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who hates Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge about the consequences of his greed. Marley is bound by heavy chains forged from his own selfish actions during his life.

Scrooge is then haunted by three spirits:

• The Ghost of Christmas Past: This spirit takes Scrooge on a journey through his past, showing him his lost love and his carefree younger self. Scrooge witnesses how his obsession with money caused him to isolate himself from loved ones.

• The Ghost of Christmas Present: This jolly spirit shows Scrooge the Christmas festivities of the present day. He witnesses the merriment of families and the generosity of those less fortunate, like his loyal but underpaid clerk Bob Cratchit, who celebrates Christmas dinner with his family despite their meager circumstances. Scrooge sees particular joy in the life of Tiny Tim, Cratchit's sickly young son.

• The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: This silent and terrifying spirit shows Scrooge a bleak future where he is alone and unmourned after his death. He also sees a possible future where Tiny Tim dies.

Horrified by these visions, Scrooge repents his miserly ways. He vows to change and become a kinder, more generous person. On Christmas Day, Scrooge anonymously sends a large turkey to the Cratchit family and raises Bob Cratchit's salary. He embraces the spirit of Christmas and becomes a source of joy and support for those around him.

A Christmas Carol is a timeless story about redemption, the importance of generosity, and the true meaning of Christmas.