تعلم الأنجليزية من القصص - Marley's Ghost 2
Let's continue the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the selfish man who didn't like Christmas. Last time, the ghost of his dead partner, Marley, told Scrooge he would be visited by three spirits.
They would give him a chance of escaping Marley's fate. Scrooge was in bed when the curtains were opened and he saw a face...
Spirit of Christmas Past
I'm the Ghost of Christmas Past - your past. Come with me.
The Spirit took Scrooge through a wall and suddenly they found themselves on an open country road. The city had disappeared. Scrooge was very excited.
Scrooge
Good heavens! I grew up in this place. That's the river! And... Oh, and I used to climb that tree…
Narrator
He remembered everybody's names. He could see them, but they couldn't see him or the Spirit. Then the Spirit invited Scrooge to go to the local school.
Spirit of Christmas Past
The school is not quite empty. There's still a child there...
Scrooge
I know! And I know who it is!
They would give him a chance of escaping Marley's fate. Scrooge was in bed when the curtains were opened and he saw a face...
Spirit of Christmas Past
I'm the Ghost of Christmas Past - your past. Come with me.
The Spirit took Scrooge through a wall and suddenly they found themselves on an open country road. The city had disappeared. Scrooge was very excited.
Scrooge
Good heavens! I grew up in this place. That's the river! And... Oh, and I used to climb that tree…
Narrator
He remembered everybody's names. He could see them, but they couldn't see him or the Spirit. Then the Spirit invited Scrooge to go to the local school.
Spirit of Christmas Past
The school is not quite empty. There's still a child there...
Scrooge
I know! And I know who it is!
There he was, young Scrooge, alone in a room, sad and lonely. But one Christmas, his young sister came to the school with good news.
[AT SCROOGE'S OLD SCHOOL]
Scrooge's little sister
Hello, my dear brother! I've come to take you home! Home forever and ever. Father is much kinder than he used to be and he sent me in a carriage to bring you.
And we'll be together all Christmas, and have the merriest time in all the world!
Spirit of Christmas Past
Your sister... She had a big heart! She died when she was an adult and had, I think, children. Your nephew!
Scrooge
Yes. She was so kind...
Narrator
Do I sense regret in Scrooge's voice? He behaved so badly towards his nephew... But time was running out and the Spirit of Christmas Past had another place to take Scrooge to: a big warehouse.
[AT SCROOGE'S OLD WORKPLACE]
Spirit of Christmas Past
So, do you recognise this place?
Scrooge
Yes! I was an apprentice here. Oh! Old Mr Fezziwig! That's my old boss!
Mr Fezziwig
Yo ho ho boys, no more work tonight. It's Christmas Eve! Clear away my lads, and let's have lots of room here!
Narrator
The warehouse was transformed into a bright ballroom in no time at all. In came a musician, Mrs Fezziwig and her three daughters, and all the young men and women employed in the business.
It got old Scrooge thinking. He told the Spirit...
Scrooge
Mr Fezziwig had the power to make us happy or unhappy; to make our work easy or hard; pleasure or pain. The happiness he gave us is as great as if it had cost a huge pile of gold.
I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk Bob Cratchit just now.
Narrator
Is there a change in old Scrooge? Mmmm... Maybe... Well, the mood was darker when the Spirit took Scrooge to see another Christmas a few years later.
Then, the young Scrooge was starting to look obsessedwith money. He wasn't alone. There was a young woman by his side. Oh, she was crying...
[IN THE PAST]
Scrooge's girlfriend
Something else has taken my place; if it can cheer and comfort you as I wanted to do, I have no reason to cry. May you be happy in the life you have chosen!
Scrooge
Spirit, show me no more. Take me home. Why do you torture me?
Narrator
It was hard for Scrooge to see how his girlfriend left him when he started to fall in love with money. But the Spirit's work wasn't done yet. He took Scrooge to yet another Christmas a few years from then.
And the greedy, old man saw her happy with a husband and children - children who he almost wished were his own.
Scrooge was very depressed when he got back home: the kind sister whose son he rejected, the generous employer, the lost girlfriend - that's a lot to take in! But there were still two spirits left.
What would the Spirit of Christmas Present show Scrooge? Let's see it tomorrow. I can't wait!
************************
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.
[AT SCROOGE'S OLD SCHOOL]
Scrooge's little sister
Hello, my dear brother! I've come to take you home! Home forever and ever. Father is much kinder than he used to be and he sent me in a carriage to bring you.
And we'll be together all Christmas, and have the merriest time in all the world!
Spirit of Christmas Past
Your sister... She had a big heart! She died when she was an adult and had, I think, children. Your nephew!
Scrooge
Yes. She was so kind...
Narrator
Do I sense regret in Scrooge's voice? He behaved so badly towards his nephew... But time was running out and the Spirit of Christmas Past had another place to take Scrooge to: a big warehouse.
[AT SCROOGE'S OLD WORKPLACE]
Spirit of Christmas Past
So, do you recognise this place?
Scrooge
Yes! I was an apprentice here. Oh! Old Mr Fezziwig! That's my old boss!
Mr Fezziwig
Yo ho ho boys, no more work tonight. It's Christmas Eve! Clear away my lads, and let's have lots of room here!
Narrator
The warehouse was transformed into a bright ballroom in no time at all. In came a musician, Mrs Fezziwig and her three daughters, and all the young men and women employed in the business.
It got old Scrooge thinking. He told the Spirit...
Scrooge
Mr Fezziwig had the power to make us happy or unhappy; to make our work easy or hard; pleasure or pain. The happiness he gave us is as great as if it had cost a huge pile of gold.
I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk Bob Cratchit just now.
Narrator
Is there a change in old Scrooge? Mmmm... Maybe... Well, the mood was darker when the Spirit took Scrooge to see another Christmas a few years later.
Then, the young Scrooge was starting to look obsessedwith money. He wasn't alone. There was a young woman by his side. Oh, she was crying...
[IN THE PAST]
Scrooge's girlfriend
Something else has taken my place; if it can cheer and comfort you as I wanted to do, I have no reason to cry. May you be happy in the life you have chosen!
Scrooge
Spirit, show me no more. Take me home. Why do you torture me?
Narrator
It was hard for Scrooge to see how his girlfriend left him when he started to fall in love with money. But the Spirit's work wasn't done yet. He took Scrooge to yet another Christmas a few years from then.
And the greedy, old man saw her happy with a husband and children - children who he almost wished were his own.
Scrooge was very depressed when he got back home: the kind sister whose son he rejected, the generous employer, the lost girlfriend - that's a lot to take in! But there were still two spirits left.
What would the Spirit of Christmas Present show Scrooge? Let's see it tomorrow. I can't wait!
************************
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.
0 تعليقات