Ebenezer Scrooge

My name is Ebenezer Scrooge, and I used to be the grumpiest man in all of London. Bah, humbug. That's what I said to Christmas. While others sang carols and decorated trees, I sat in my cold office counting my coins. I liked being alone with my money more than anything. My clerk, Bob Cratchit, shivered in the other room, but I wouldn't even give him extra coal for the fire. I didn't understand why everyone made such a fuss over one day. I had no idea that one chilly Christmas Eve, my life would change forever because of some very spooky visitors. This is my story, the one people call 'A Christmas Carol'.

That night, as I sat by my weak fire, a ghost appeared. It was my old friend, Jacob Marley, covered in clanking chains. 'Ebenezer,' he moaned, 'you must change your ways, or you will wear chains like these. Three spirits will visit you tonight.' I was terrified. The first spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Past, looked like a gentle candle flame. It flew me back in time to when I was a boy. I saw myself, a lonely child left at school for the holidays, and I remembered my kind sister, Fan, who always made me smile. Then, the ghost showed me the happy party of my old boss and the moment I chose money over the woman I loved. A tear trickled down my grumpy old cheek. The second visitor was the Ghost of Christmas Present, a jolly giant with a booming laugh. He took me to see the happy people of London and then to the small, cozy home of my clerk, Bob Cratchit. His family didn't have much money, but they had so much love. Their little boy, Tiny Tim, was sick but had the biggest heart. Watching them made me feel something I hadn't felt in years. The last ghost was the scariest. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come was a silent, shadowy figure that pointed with a long, bony finger. It showed me a future where no one cared that I was gone, and worse, Tiny Tim's family was heartbroken because he was no longer with them. I fell to my knees and begged, 'Spirit, please tell me I can change this future.'.

When I woke up, it was Christmas morning. Sunlight streamed through my window, and I felt as light as a feather. I wasn't grumpy anymore; I was bursting with joy. 'Merry Christmas,' I shouted to people on the street. I bought the biggest turkey I could find and sent it to the Cratchit family. I gave Bob a huge raise and promised to help his family however I could. I became a second father to Tiny Tim, who, with help, grew strong and healthy. My story was written down by a wonderful author named Charles Dickens on December 19th, 1843, and people have been reading it ever since. It shows everyone that it is never, ever too late to open your heart and be kind. And as Tiny Tim would say, 'God bless us, every one.'.