In 1843, Charles Dickens wrote one of his famous and loved short stories called A Christmas Carol. The story is about a selfish, bitter, old man, who has a dream. In this dream, he is guided past Christmases in his life in the past, the present and the future. It shows the way he was, the way he is and the way he will become. Before meeting his guide, the old man’s former business partner appears before him in his dream to warn him. And in the dream, they talk:
E: what do you want with me?
M: much
E: Who are you?
M: You’d better ask me who I was.
E: Who were you then?
M: In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley.
E: Can you ?can you sit down?
M: You don’t believe in me, do you?
E: I don’t. Why do you trouble me? Why do you come to me?
M: People are social beings. So, in life, people must spend good times together. If they do, then they will find rest and happiness in life. If they don’t, they will find never rest and happiness in life, not even after death. That is my fate.
E: What ?what do you mean? Tell me more. Speak comfort to me.
M: I have none to give. I cannot to help you. I cannot stay, I cannot be with you much longer .listen to me! My time is nearly up.
E: Yes, yes, I will, but don’t hard upon me.
M: I’m here tonight to warn you, that you have yet have a chance and hope of escaping my fate.
E: I knew it .you were always a good friend to me. Thanks.
M: You’ll be visited by Santa Claus.
E: He’s a fairytale character .is he the chance and hope you mentioned?
M: He is.
E: It’s ridiculous. Is there no other way?
M: No, there isn’t .learn from him. Without his visit, there’s no way you can escape my fate, except him tomorrow, by the end of the day |