Narrator: Marley was dead. There is no doubt about that.

The register
of his burial was signed by the clergyman (cura), the clerk (contable),
the undertaker (director de la funeraria), and the chief mourner.
Scrooge signed it.

Scrooge and he were partners (socios) for many years. Scrooge was
his sole (único) executor (albacea), his sole administrator, his sole
friend, and sole mourner (doliente).

Oh! But Scrooge was tight-fisted, (tacaño) secret, and solitary as an

oyster (ostra). Nobody ever stopped him on the street to say, "My
dear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?" No
beggars (mendigos) asked him for money. No children asked him what
time it was. No man or woman ever once in his life inquired the way to
such and such (tal o cual) a place. No-one asked Scrooge for anything.

But what did Scrooge carel lt was the very (preciso) thing he liked, to
keep all human sympathy at a distance.

Once upon a time – of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve
old Scrooge sat busy at his counting-house (gestoría). lt was cold,
bleak (crudo/gris), biting (cortante) weather. The city clocks had only
just gone (dar la hora) three, but it was quite dark already. It had not

A Ch!"mas Carol
been light all day. Candles were burning in the windows of the
neighbouring offices. The fog was so dense outside that the houses
opposite were mere phantoms.

by Charles Dickens The door of Scrooge’s counting-house was open so that he might keep
his eye (vigilar) upon his clerk. The clerk sat in a dismal (sombrío) little
room copying letters. Scrooge had a very small fire but the clerk’s fire
was so very much smaller that it looked like one piece of coal. Scrooge

ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 1

kept the coal-box in his own room.
Nephew: A Merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!
Narrator: Cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of Scrooge’s nephew.
Scrooge: Bah! Humbug (paparruchas)!
Scrooge: Nephew! Keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it
in mine.
Nephew: Keep it! But you don't keep it.
Scrooge: Let me leave it alone, then. Much good may it do you! Much
good it has ever done you!

Narrator: Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, had been walking rapidly in the fog
and frost (escarcha). His face was glowing (radiante). His eyes
sparkled (brillar).
Nephew: Christmas a humbug, uncle! You don't mean (decir en serio)
that, I am sure?
Scrooge: I do mean it. Merry Christmas! What right have you to be
merry? What reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough.
Nephew: I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time, a
kind, forgiving (indulgente/permisivo), charitable, pleasant time. It's
the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and
women open their hearts freely. And therefore, uncle, though it has
never put a scrap (pequeña cantidad) of gold or silver in my pocket, I
believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God
bless it!
Narrator: The clerk involuntarily applauded.

Nephew: Come, then. What right have you to be dismal? What reason Scrooge: Let me hear another sound from you, and you'll keep your
have you to be miserable (abatido/deprimido)? You're rich enough.

Scrooge: Bah!

Nephew: Don't be cross (enfadado), uncle!

Scrooge: Merry Christmas! What's Christmas time to you but a time for
paying bills (facturas) without money, a time for finding yourself a year
older, but not an hour richer, a time for balancing your books (hacer
cuadrar las cuentas)

Nephew: Uncle!

ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 2

Christmas by losing your position!
Nephew: Don't be angry, uncle. Come! Dine with us tomorrow.
Scrooge: NO!
Nephew: But why? Why?
Scrooge: Why did you get married?
Nephew: Because I fell in love.
Scrooge: Because you fell in love! Good afternoon!
Nephew: But uncle, you never carne to see me before I got married.
Why give it as a reason for not coming now?
Scrooge: Good afternoon.
Nephew: I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you; why cannot we
be friends?
Scrooge: Good afternoon.
Nephew: I am sorry, with all my heart, to find you so resolute
(empecinado). But I'll keep my Christmas humour to the last. So a
Merry Christmas, uncle! And a Happy New Year!
Scrooge: Good afternoon!
Narrator: His nephew left the room. He stopped at the door to wish a
Merry Christmas to the clerk, who, cold as he was, was warmer than
Scrooge, for he returned the Christmas greetings cordially.
Scrooge: There's another fellow. My clerk, with fifteen shillings
(chelines) a week, and a wife and family, talking about a Merry
Christmas.
Narrator: As the clerk let Scrooge’s nephew out (acompañar a la
puerta), he let two other people in (recibir/invitar a pasar).!
First Visitor: Scrooge and Marley's, I believe. Have I the pleasure of
addressing (dirigirse a) Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?
Scrooge: Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years. He died seven
years ago, this very (misma) night.
First Visitor: At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, it is more
than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for
the Poor and destitute (indigentes), who suffer greatly at the present
time.
Second Visitor: Many thousands are in want of common necessities;
hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.
Scrooge: Are there no prisons?
Second Visitor: Plenty of prisons.
Scrooge: And the workhouses? Are they still in operation?
Second Visitor: They are. Still. I wish I could say they were not.
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 3
Scrooge: The Treadmill (molino disciplinario inglés) and the Poor Law
are in full vigour, then?
Second Visitor: Both very busy, sir.
Scrooge: Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something
had occurred to stop them. I'm very glad to hear it.
Second Visitor: A few of us are trying to raise funds to buy the Poor
some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time,
because it is a time, of all others, when Want (la necesidad) is keenly
(profundamente) felt (sentir), and Abundance rejoices (regocijar).
What shall I put you down (apuntar) for?
Scrooge: Nothing!
First Visitor: You wish to be anonymous?
Scrooge: I wish to be left alone. Since you ask me what I wish,
gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas
and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the
prisons and workhouses; they cost enough; and those who are badly
off (estar en malas condiciones) must go there.
First Visitor: Many can't go there, and many would rather die.
Scrooge: If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease
the surplus (excedente/sobrante) population. It's enough for a man to
understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's.
My business occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!
Narrator: Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point,
the gentlemen left. Meanwhile the fog and darkness thickened
(espesarse) and the cold became intense. At length (finalmente) the
hour of closing the counting-house arrived.
With an ill-will (mala gana) Scrooge got off (bajarse) his stool. The
clerk put on his hat.
Scrooge: You'll want all day tomorrow, I suppose?!
Bob Cratchit: If convenient, sir.!
Scrooge: !t's not convenient and it's not fair. If I was to stop half-a-
crown (media corona) for it, you'd think yourself ill-used (maltratado).
And yet you don't think me ill-used, when I pay day's wages for no
work.
Bob Cratchit: It is only once a year, sir.
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 4
Scrooge: A poor excuse for picking (robar) a man's pocket every
twenty- fifth of December! I suppose you must have the whole day. Be
here all the earlier (más temprano aún) next morning.
Narrator: The clerk promised that he would, and Scrooge walked out
with a growl (gruñido). He took his melancholy dinner in his usual
melancholy tavern and, having read all the newspapers and studied his
banker s book, he went home to bed. He lived in a gloomy (lúgubre)
suite of rooms.
The house was old and dreary (lóbrega, deprimente), for nobody lived
in it except Scrooge. The other rooms were all let out (alquilar) as
offices. The fog and frost hung about (rodear) the black old gateway
(verja) of the house. No, it is a fact that there was nothing at all
particular about the knocker (llamador) on the door, except that it was
very large. It is a fact that Scrooge had seen it, every night and every
morning, for many years. It is also a fact that Scrooge had as little
imagination as any man in the city of London. Yet on that Christmas
Eve (Nochebuena), Scrooge saw not a knocker, but Marley’s face.
Marley’s face. It had a dismal light about it. The eyes were wide open
(como platos/muy abiertos) and were perfectly motionless (inmóvil).
As Scrooge looked fixedly at this phenomenon, it was a knocker again.
To say that he was not troubled (azorado/turbado) would be untrue
(mentira).
He took out the key, turned it, walked in, and lighted his can die. Up
Scrooge went. Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it. Before he shut
his heavy door, he walked through his rooms to see that everything
was all right. His memory of the face on the knocker made him want to
do that.
Quite satisfied, he closed his door and locked himself in (encerrarse).
Se- cured against surprise, he put on his dressing-gown (camisón),
slippers (zapatillas) and nightcap (gorro de dormir), and sat down
before the fire to take his gruel (gachas).
As he threw his head back (recostar) in the chair, he glanced up
(levantar la vista) at a disused (en desuso/que no utilizaba) bell that
hung in the room. It was with great astonishment (asombro) and with
a strange, inexplicable dread (temor) that, as he looked, he saw this
bell begin to swing (moverse de uno a otro lado/balancearse). It swung
so softly that it scarcely (apenas) made a sound, but soon it rang out
(sonar/resonar) loudly, and so did every bell in the house.
This might have lasted half a minute, or a minute, but it seemed an
hour. The bells stopped as they had begun, together. They were
followed by a clanking (metálico) noise from down below in the cellar
(sótano) as if someone were dragging (arrastrar) a heavy chain.
Scrooge then remembered that ghosts in haunted (encantada) houses
were described as dragging chains.
The cellar door flew open (abrirse súbitamente) with a booming
(fuerte) sound, and then he heard the noise much louder on the floors
below, then coming up the stairs, then coming straight towards his
door.
Scrooge: It's humbug still! I won't believe it.
His colour changed though, when, without a pause, it came on (pasar)
through the heavy door, and passed into the room before his eyes. It
was Marley’s Ghost. The same face, the very same. Marley. The chain
he dragged was fastened (atada) about his middle (cintura). It was
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 5
made of cash-boxes (cajas para el dinero), keys, and deeds
(escrituras). His body was transparent.
Scrooge: How now! What do you want with me?
Marley's Ghost: Mueh!
Scrooge: Who are you?
Scrooge: I do, I must. But why do spirits walk the earth, and why do
they come to me?
Marley's Ghost: It is required of every man that the spirit within him
should waIk abroad among his fellowmen (prójimo), and travel far and
wide (por todas partes). If that spirit does not travel in life, it is
condemned to do so after death. It is condemned to wander (vagar)
through the world and witness (presenciar) what it might have shared
on earth and might have tumed to happiness!

Scrooge: You are chained. Tell me why.

Marley's Ghost: I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link
(eslabón a eslabón), and I wore it of my own free will (por mi propia
voluntad). It is a ponderous (pesada) chain!

Scrooge: Jacob. Old Jacob Marley, tell me more. Speak comfort

(consuelo) to me, Jacob!

Marley's Ghost: I have!no comfort to give. I cannot rest, I cannot stay,

Marley's Ghost: Ask me who!I was.
I cannot linger (permanecer) anywhere. My spirit never walked beyond
our counting-house in life. Weary (cansado) joumeys lie before
Scrooge: Who were you then?
(esperar) me! No rest, no peace.

Marley's Ghost: In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley!

Scrooge: But you were always a good man of business, Jacob.

Scrooge: Mercy! Dreadful apparition, why do you trouble (molestar)

Marley's Ghost: Business! Mankind (la humanidad) was my business.
me?
The common welfare (bienestar) was my business. Charity, mercy
(misericordia), and benevolence were all, my business. The dealings
Marley's Ghost: Man of the worldly (materialista) mind! Do you believe
(asuntos/negocios) of my trade were but a drop (gota) of water in the
in me or not?
ocean of my business! At this time of the year, I suffer most. Hear me!

ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 6

My time is nearly gone.
Scrooge: I will. But don't be hard on me! Jacob! Pray! (te lo suplico)
Marley's Ghost: I am here to-night to warn you that you have yet
chance and hope of escaping my fate, Ebenezer.
Scrooge: You were always a good friend to me. Thank'ee!
Marley's Ghost: You will be haunted by Three Spirits.
Scrooge: Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?
Marley's Ghost: It is.
Scrooge: I think I' d rather not.
Marley's Ghost: Without their visits you cannot hope to avoid the path
I walk. Expect the first tomorrow, when the bell tolls (dar/tocar) One.
Scrooge: Couldn't I take 'em all at once, and have it over, Jacob?
Marley's Ghost: Expect the second on the next night at the same hour.
The third upon the next night at the last stroke (campanada) of
twelve. And for your own sake, remember what has passed between
us!
Narrator: Scrooge became aware of confused noises in the air. The
spectre floated out (salir flotando) into the bleak, dark night. Scrooge
followed to the window, desperate in his curiosity. He looked out. The
air was filled with phantoms, wandering here and there and moaning
(gimiendo) as they went. Every one of them wore chains. The misery
with them all was, clearly, that they sought (tratar de) to interfere for
good, in human matters, and had lost the power for ever.
a Scrooge closed the window. From the emotion or fatigues of the day,
or his glimpse (vistazo) of the Invisible World (el más allá), or the dull
(triste) conversation of the Ghost, or the lateness (lo tarde) of the
hour, he was in great need of rest. He went straight to bed, without
undressing (desvestirse), and fell asleep instantly.
When Scrooge awoke, it was dark. The chimes (campanadas) of a
neighbouring (cercana/vecina) church began to strike (sonar), so he
listened for the hour. To his great astonishment (asombro) the heavy
bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and up to
twelve, then stopped. Twelve!
Scrooge: Why (vaya/anda), it isn't possible that I can have slept
through (dormir de un tirón) a whole day and far into another night.
Narrator: The idea alarmed him. He scrambled out (levantarse
apresuradamente) of bed and went to the window. Al! he could make
out was that it was still very foggy and extremely cold, and that there
was no noise of people running in the streets. Scrooge went to bed
again, and thought. The more he thought, the more perplexed he was;
and the more he tried not to think, the more he thought.
"Was it a dream or not?"
Scrooge remembered that the Ghost had warned him of a visitation
when the bell tolled one. He resolved to lie awake (estar tumbado
despierto) until the hour was passed. At last the bell sounded One.
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 7
Light flashed up (encenderse) in the room and the curtains of his bed
were opened. Scrooge found himself face to face with an unearthly (de
otro mundo) visitor.
Scrooge: Are you the Spirit whose coming was foretold (anunciar) to
me?
Ghost of Christmas Past: I am!
Scrooge: Who and what are you?
Ghost of Christmas Past: I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Narrator: As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall of
the house, and stood upon (estar en) an open country road, the fields
on either side. The city had vanished, and the darkness and the mist
had vanished with it. It was a clear, cold, winter day, with snow upon
the ground.
Scrooge: Good Heaven! I was brought up (criar) in this place. I was a
boy here!
Ghost of Christmas Past: Let us go on. Do you remember the way?
Scrooge: Remember it! I could walk it blindfold (con los ojos cerrados).
Narrator: They walked along the road. Scrooge recognised every gate,
and post, and tree, until a little market-town appeared in the distance,
with its bridge, its church, and river. Some ponies now were seen
trotting towards them with boys on their back. All these boys were in
great spirits (muy animados), and shouted to each other, until the
fields were full of merry sounds.
Ghost of Christmas Past: These are but (sino) shadows of the things
that have been. They have no consciousness of us
Narrator: The merry riders came on, and as they came, Scrooge knew
and named every one of them. Why was he so happy to see them?
Why was he filled with gladness when he heard them wish each other
Merry Christmas as they parted (separar) at the cross-roads for their
homes? What was Merry Christmas to Scrooge? What good had it ever
done to him?
Ghost of Christmas Past: The school is not quite deserted. A solitary
child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.
Narrator: Scrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed (llorar). They left the
high-road and soon approached the school. They entered the dreary
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 8
hall, and glancing (echar un vistazo) through the open doors of many
rooms, they found hem poorly furnished, cold and vast. In one of
these a lonely boy was reading near a feeble (débil) fire. Scrooge wept
(llorar) to see his poor forgotten self (su pobre y olvidada persona) as
he used to be.
Scrooge: Poor boy! I wish, but it's too late now.
Ghost of Christmas Past: What is the matter?
Scrooge: Nothing, Nothing. There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol
at my door last night. I should like to have given him something, that's
all.
Ghost of Christmas Past: Let us see another Christmas!
Narrator: Scrooge’s former self grew larger at the words, and the
schoolroom became a little darker and dirtier. There he was, alone
again, when all the other boys had gone home for their holidays. He
was not reading no~ but walking up and down despairingly (con
desesperación). Scrooge looked at the Ghost and, with a mournful
(lastimero) shaking of his head, glanced anxiously towards the door. It
opened. A little girl, much younger than the boy, came in and put her
arms about his neck, often kissing him.
Little Fan: Dear, dear brother. I have come to bring you home, dear
brother! To bring you home, home, home!
Young Scrooge: Home? Little Fan!
Little Fan: Yes! Home, for ever and ever. Father is so much kinder than
he used to be. Home is now like Heaven! He spoke so gently to me one
dear night when I was going to bed. I was not afraid to ask him once
more if you might come home. He said Yes, you should and sent me in
a coach (coche de caballos) to bring you. And you're to be a man and
are never to come back here. But first, we're to be together all the
Christmas long, and have the merriest time in all the world.
Young Scrooge: You are quite a woman, little Fan!
Ghost of Christmas Past: She died a woman and had, as I think,
children.
Scrooge: One child
Ghost of Christmas Past: True. Your nephew!
Scrooge: Yes.
Narrator: They left the school behind them and were now in the busy
streets of a city. It was plain enough (muy claro) that here too it was
Christmas time again, but it was evening, and the streets were lighted
up (iluminadas). The Ghost stopped at a warehouse (almacén) door
and asked Scrooge if he knew it.
Scrooge: Know it! I was apprenticed (estar de aprendiz) here! Why, it's
old Fezziwig! Bless his heart. (Bendito sea). It's Fezziwig alive again!
Old Fezziwig: Yo ho, there! Ebenezer! Dick!
Narrator: Scrooge’s former self, now grown a young man, came in,
accompanied by his fellow apprentice,! Dick.
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 9
Scrooge: Dick Wilkins, to be sure! Bless me, yes, There he is. He was
very close to me, was Dick. Poor Dick! Dear, dear!
Old Fezziwig: Yo ho, my boys! No more work to-night. Christmas Eve,
Dick. Christmas, Ebenezer!
Narrator: In came a fiddler (violinista) with a music-book. In came Mrs.
Fezziwig, one vast smile. In came the three Miss Fezziwigs, beaming
(con sonrisa radiante) and lovable (adorable). In came the six young
men whose hearts they broke. In came all the young men and women
employed in the business. In came the housemaid, with her cousin, the
baker. In came the cook with the milkman. In they all came, one after
another. Away they all went dancing, twenty couples at once. Old
Fezziwig, clapping his hands (aplaudir) to stop the dance, cried out,
"Well done!" but the fiddler instantly began again.
There were more dances, and there was cake, and there was a great
piece of Cold Roast, and there were mince pies, and plenty of beer.
Then old Fezziwig danced with Mrs. Fezziwig.
When the clock struck eleven, the ball (fiesta) ended. Mr. and Mrs.
Fezziwig shook hands (dar la mano) with everyone individually as he or
she went out, and wished him or her a Merry Christmas.
During the whole of this time, Scrooge’s heart and soul were in the
scene and with his former self. He remembered everything and enjoyed
everything.
Ghost of Christmas Past: A small matter to make these silly folks so
full of gratitude.
Scrooge: Small!
Ghost of Christmas Past: Why! Is it not? He has spent only a few
pounds of your mortal money, three or four perhaps. Is that so much
that he deserves (merecer) this praise (elogios)?
Scrooge: It isn't that. It isn't that, Spirit. He has the power to make us
happy or unhappy. The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it cost
a fortune.
Ghost of Christmas Past: My time grows short (acabarse). Quick!
Narrator: Scrooge saw himself again, but older now: a man in the prime
of his life. He was not alone, but sat by the side of a fair (bella) young
girl in whose eyes there were tears.
Young Belle: Another idol has displaced me. I have seen your nobler
aspirations fall off one by one, until the master-passion (obsesión),
Gain (avaricia), controls you. Have I not?
Scrooge in his prime (de joven): I am not changed towards you, Belle.
Young Belle: Our contract is an old one. It was made when we were
both poor and content to be so, until we could improve our worldly
(material) fortune by our patient work. You are changed. When our
agreement was made, you were another man.
Scrooge in his prime: I was a boy.
Young Belle: Your own feeling tells you that you were not what you
are. I am. That which promised happiness when we were one in heart is
fraught (lleno de / cargado) with misery now that we are two. How
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 10
often I have thought of this, I will not say. It is enough that I have
thought of it, and can release (liberar) you from your promise of
marriage.
Scrooge in his prime: Have I ever sought (buscar) release?
Young Belle: In words, no. Never.
Scrooge in his prime: In what, then?
Young Belle: In a changed nature; in an altered spirit. May you be happy
(que seas feliz) in the life you have chosen.
Scrooge: Spirit! Show me no more! Why do you delight (disfrutar) to
torture me?
Ghost of Christmas Past: One shadow more!
Scrooge: I don't wish to see it. Show me no more!
Narrator: But the relentless (implacable) Ghost forced him to observe
what happened next. They were in another scene and place: a room,
not very large or handsome, but full of comfort. Near the winter fire
sat a beautiful young girl, so like Belle that Scrooge believed it was her,
until he saw Belle, older now, sitting opposite her daughter. There were
more children there.
Now a knocking (golpe) was heard at the door. /t was father come
home bringing Christmas toys and presents. Oh the shouts of wonder
(asombro) and delight with which each package was received! The
evening passed. One by one, the children and their emotions got out of
the parlour (sala de estar) and up to the top of the house, where they
went to bed.
And now Scrooge looked on more attentively than ever as the master
of the house sat down with his eldest daughter and his wife Belle at
the fireside (chimenea). His daughter leaned (recostarse) fondly (con
cariño) on him. Scrooge’s sight grew very dim indeed when he thought
that such another creature, quite as graceful (llena de gracia) and as
full of promise, might have called him father and been a springtime
(alegría) in the haggard (triste /solitario) winter of his life.
Husband: Belle, I saw an old friend of yours this aftemoon. Mr. Scrooge.
I passed his office window, and as it was not shut up (cerrada) and he
had a candle inside, I could scarcely help (evitar) seeing him. His
partner lies upon the point of death, I hear. There he sat alone, quite
alone in the world, I do believe.
Scrooge: Spirit! Remove (llevar) me from this place. I cannot bear
(soportar) it! Take me back (llevar de vuelta). Haunt me no longer!
Narrator: Scrooge was conscious of being exhausted, and overcome
(vencido) by an irresistible drowsiness (sueño/sopor). He was back in
his own bedroom. He barely (apenas) had time to get into bed before
he sank (sumirse) into a heavy (profundo) sleep.
Scrooge awoke and sat up (incorporarse) in bed to get his thoughts
together (aclarar/poner en orden). But the bell was again on the
stroke (campanada) of One. A voice called him by his name.
Ghost of Christmas Present: Ebenezer Scrooge. I am the Ghost of
Christmas Present. Look upon me!
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 11

Scrooge: Spirit, take me where you will. I went last night and I learnt a
lesson which is working now. Tonight, if you have anything to teach
me, let me profit by it.
Ghost of Christmas Present: Touch my robe (túnica)!
Narrator: Scrooge did as he was told, and held the robe fast. Suddenly,
they were inside Bob Cratchit’s four-roomed house. Mrs. Cratchit,
dressed poorly, laid (poner) the table, assisted by Belinda Cratchit,
second of her daughters, while Master Peter Cratchit plunged a fork
into the sauce pan of potatoes.
And now two smaller Cratchits, boy and girl, came tearing in,
screaming that outside the baker’s (panadería) they had smelt the
goose (ganso), and known it for their own. Basking in (disfrutando de)
thoughts of sage (salvia) and onion, these young Cratchits danced
about the table.
Mrs. Cratchit: Whatever is keeping your precious father then? And your
brother, Tiny Tim! And Martha wasn't as late last Christmas Day.
Martha: Here's Martha, mother!
Two young Cratchits: Here's Martha, mother! Hurrah! There's such a
goose, Martha!
Mrs. Cratchit: Sit down before the fire, my dear, and have a warm, Lord
bless you!
Two young Cratchits: No, no! Here's father coming.
Narrator: In came Bob Cratchit with Tiny Tim on his shoulder. Alas for
Tiny Tim, he carried a little crutch (muleta), and his legs were
supported by an iron frame (armazón)! Martha ran into her father’s
arms, while the two young Cratchits took Tiny Tim into the kitchen,
that he might hear the pudding cooking.
Mrs. Cratchit: And how did little Tim behave (comportarse)?
Bob Cratchit: As good as gold (como un ángel), and better. Somehow
he gets thoughtful (quedarse pensativo), sitting by himself so much,
and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. He told me, coming
home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he
was a cripple (lisiado), and it might be pleasant for them on Christmas
Day to remember Him who made lame (cojo) beggars (mendigo) walk,
and blind (ciegos) men see.
Narrator: Bob’s voice trembled when he told them this. The goose was
served. Bob said he didn’t believe there ever was such a goose cooked.
lts tenderness and flavour, size and cheapness were the themes
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 12
 Tiny Tim: God bless us every one!

Narrator: Tiny Tim sat very close to his father s side upon his little
stool (banqueta). Bob held (sostener) his withered (atrofiada) little
hand in his as if he loved the chi/d, and wished to keep him by his side,
and dreaded (temer) that he might be taken from him.

Scrooge: Spirit,tell me if Tiny Tim will live.

Ghost of Christmas Present: I see a vacant seat in the corner, and a

crutch without an owner. If these shadows remain unaltered by the
Future, the child will die.

Scrooge: No, no. Oh, no, kind Spirit! Say he will be spared (perdonado/
(temas) of universal admiration. Accompanied by apple sauce and
salvarse).
mashed potatoes (pure de patatas), it was sufficient for the whole
family. Every one had had enough. Now Mrs. Cratchit left the room to
Ghost of Christmas Present: If these shadows remain unaltered by the
bring the pudding in.
Future, none other of my race will find Tiny Tim here. What then? If he
is to (tener que) die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus
She entered flushed (sofocada/acalorada), but smiling proudly (con
population.
orgullo) with the pudding so hard and firm, blazing (ardiendo) in ignited
brandy, with Christmas holly (acebo) stuck into the top. Oh, a
Narrator: Scrooge hung (agachar) his head to hear his own words
wonderful pudding! Bob Cratchit said that he regarded it as the
quoted (citar) by the Spirit, and was overcome (sentirse abrumado)
greatest success achieved by Mrs. Cratchit since their marriage.
with penitence (arrepentimiento) and grief (profunda pena).

At last the dinner was over. All the Cratchit family gathered round the
Bob Cratchit: Mr. Scrooge! I'll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the
hearth.
Feast!
!
Bob Cratchit: A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!
Mrs. Cratchit: The Founder of the Feast indeed! I wish I had him here.
I'd give him a piece of my mind to feast upon.
All: God bless us!

ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 13

Bob Cratchit: My dear, the children! Christmas Day.
Mrs. Cratchit: It has to be Christmas Day, I am sure, to drink the health
of such an odious, stingy (tacaño), hard, unfeeling (insensible/poco
compasivo) man as Mr. Scrooge. You know he is, Robert! Nobody
knows it better than you do, poor fellow!
Bob Cratchit: My dear, Christmas Day.
Mrs. Cratchit: I’ll drink his health for your sake and the Day's, not for
his. Long life to him! A Merry Christmas and a Happy NewYear! He'll be
very merry and very happy, I have no doubt!
Narrator: The children drank the toast (brindis) after her. Scrooge was
the Ogre (ogro) of the family. The mention of his name cast
(proyectar) a dark shadow on the party, which was not dispelled
(disipar) for five minutes. After the shadow had passed away, they
were ten times merrier than before.
And now, without a word of warning (advertencia) from the Ghost,
they stood in Scrooge’s nephew’ s house.
Scrooge: What place is this?!
Scrooge's Nephew: He said that Christmas was a humbug! He believed
it too!
Scrooge’s Niece: More shame (vergüenza) for him, Fred!
Scrooge's Nephew: He's a comical old fellow, that's the truth: and not
so pleasant as he might be. However, his offences carry their own
punishment (en el pecado lleva la penitencia), and I have nothing to
say against him.
Scrooge's Niece: I'm sure he is very rich, Fred. At least you always tell
me so.
Scrooge's Nephew: What of that, my dear! His wealth is of no use to
him. He doesn't do any good with it. He doesn't make himself
comfortable with it.
Scrooge's Niece: I have no patience with him.
Scrooge's! Nephew:! Oh, I have! I am sorry for him; I couldn't be
angry with him if I tried. Who suffers by his ill whims (caprichos
negativos)? Himself, always. He takes it into his head (empeñarse) to
dislike (detestar) us, and he won't come and dine with us. What's the
consequence?
Scrooge’s Niece: Indeed, I think he loses a very good dinner.
Scrooge's Nephew: I was only going to say that the consequence of his
taking a dislike to us is that he loses some pleasant moments, which
could do him no harm (mal). I mean (tener la intención) to give him the
same chance every year, whether he likes it or not, for (porque) I pity
(dar lástima) him.
Narrator: After tea, they had some music. But they didn’t devote the
whole evening to music. After a while they played a game called Yes
and No. Scrooge’s nephew had to think of something, and the rest had
to discover what he was thinking of.
He answered only yes or no to their questions. The questions showed
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 14
that Fred was thinking of an animal, a live animal, a rather
(ciertamente, bastante) savage animal, an animal that growled and
grunted sometimes, and talked sometimes, and lived in London. The
animal was not a horse, or an ass (asno), or a cow, or a bull, or a tiger,
or a dog, or a pig, or a cat, or a bear. At every fresh (nueva) question
that was put (formular) to him, the nephew burst into (desternillarse)
a fresh roar of laughter (risotadas).
At last Scrooge’s niece cried out:
Scrooge's Niece: I have found it out (averiguar)! I know what it is, Fred!
I know what it is!
Scrooge's Nephew: What is it?
Scrooge's Niece: It's your uncle Scro-o-o-o-oge!
Scrooge's Nephew: He has given us plenty of merriment (diversion), I
am sure. It would be ungrateful (desagradecido) of us not to drink his
health (brindar a su salud). Here is a glass of mulled wine (ponche
caliente de vino con especias), and I say, 'Uncle Scrooge!' A Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year to the old man, whatever he is! He
wouldn't take it from me, but may he have it, nevertheless. Uncle
Scrooge!
Narrator: Uncle Scrooge had become so light of heart (tranquilo) that
he would have thanked them in an in audible speech, if the Ghost had
given him time. But he and the Spirit were again on their travels.
Much they saw, and far they went, and many homes they visited, but
always with a happy end. The Spirit stood beside sick (enfermos) beds,
and they were cheerful (alegres); on foreign lands, and they were close
at home; by (junto a) struggling (que luchaban) men, and they were
patient in their hope; by poverty, and it was rich. In hospitals, and jails,
in misery’s every refuge the Spirit left his blessing, and taught Scrooge
his precepts.
It was a long night, if it were only a night, but Scrooge had his doubts
of this.
Scrooge: Forgive me for what I ask but I see something strange under
your skirts. What is it?
Narrator: From its robe (túnica), the Spirit brought two children,
wretched (desdichado), abject (míseros), frightful (temerosos),
hideous (espantosos), miserable (triste). They knelt down(arrodillarse)
at its feet, and clung (aferrarse) to the outside of its garment
(prenda).
Ghost of Christmas Present: Oh, Man! Look here. Look, look, down
here.
Narrator: They were a boy and girl: yellow (macilentos), ragged
(harapientos), sullen (decaidos), and wolfish (voraces). Scrooge
started back (asustarse), appalled (horrorizado).
Scrooge: Spirit! Are they yours?
Ghost of Christmas Present: They are Man's. And they cling to me,
abandoned by their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want
(necesidad). Beware (cuidado con) them both, but most of all beware
this boy, for I see Doom (fatalidad) written on his brow (frente) unless
the writing be erased (borrada).
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 15
Scrooge: Have they no refuge or resource (medios)?
Ghost of Christmas Present: Are there no prisons? Are there no
workhouses (asilos para pobres donde daban comida y alojamiento a
cambio de trabajar)?
Narrator: The bell struck twelve. Scrooge looked about him for the
Ghost and did not see it. At the last stroke, he remembered the
prediction of old Jacob Marley and lifting up (alzando) his eyes, saw a
solemn Phantom coming, like a mist (neblina) along the ground,
towards him.
The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently, approached. When it carne near
him, Scrooge bent down upon his knee. It was covered in a deep black
garment, which concealed (ocultar) its head, its face, its form, and left
nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand.
Scrooge: I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come?
Narrator: The Spirit did not answer, but pointed onward with its hand.
Scrooge: You are about to show me shadows of the things that have
not happened, but will happen in the future. Is that so, Spirit?
Narrator: The upper part of the garment moved for an instant, as if the
Spirit had inclined its head. That was the only answer he received.
Scrooge: Ghost of the Future! I fear you more than any spectre I have
seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to
live to be a different man from what I was, I am prepared to keep you
company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?
Narrator: lt gave him no reply. The hand was pointed straight before
them.
Scrooge: Lead on, Spirit!
Narrator: The Phantom moved away (apartarse). Scrooge followed in
the shadow of its dress, which carried him up and away. There they
were, in the heart of the City amongst the merchants, who hurried up
and down, and chinked the money in their pockets, and conversed in
groups, as Scrooge had seen them do so often.
The Spirit stopped beside two business men. Observing that the
hand was pointed to them, Scrooge advanced to listen to their talk.
Great Fat Man: No, I don't know much about it, either way (de uno u
otro modo). I only know he's dead.
Red-faced Gentleman: When did he die?
Great Fat Man: Last night, I believe.
Red-faced Gentleman: What has he done with his money?
Great Fat Man: I haven't heard. Left it to his company, perhaps. He
hasn't left it to me. That's all I know. It's likely (probable) to be a very
cheap funeral, for upon my life I don't know anybody who will go.
Suppose we volunteer?
Red-faced Gentleman: I don't mind going if a lunch is provided.
Great Fat Man: I’ll offer to go, if anyone else will. When I come to think
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 16
of it, I'm not at all sure that I wasn't his most particular friend, for we
used to stop and speak whenever we met. Bye, bye!
Narrator: The Phantom glided on (deslizarse) into a street. Its finger
pointed to two business men talking. Scrooge listened. He knew these
men. They were men of business, very wealthy (rico), and of great
importance.
First Wealthy Businessman: Well! Old Scratch has got his own (recibir
su merecido) at last, hey?
Second Wealthy Businessman: So I am told. Cold, isn't it?
First Wealthy Businessman: Seasonable (propio para la época del año)
for Christmas time. You're not a skater (patinador), I suppose?
Second Wealthy Businessman No. No. Something else to think of. Good
morning!
Narrator: Not another word. That was their meeting, their
conversation, and their parting.
Narrator: The scene changed, and now Scrooge almost touched a bed,
a bare (desnuda), uncurtained bed, on which, beneath a sheet, there
lay (yacer) something covered up (tapado).
The room was very dark. A pale light fell straight upon the bed. On it,
unwatched (sin velar), unkept, uncared for (sin cuidados), was the
body of a man. He lay in the dark empty house, with not a man, a
woman, or a child, to say that he had been kind in this or that. A cat
was tearing at (arañar) the door, and there was a sound of gnawing
rats. What they wanted in the room of death, Scrooge did not dare
(atreverse) to think.
Scrooge: Spirit! This is a fearful (horrible) place. Let us go!
Narrator: The Ghost then conducted him through several streets
familiar to him. As they went along, Scrooge looked here and there to
find himself, but he was nowhere to be seen. They entered poor Bob
Cratchit’s house, and found the mother and the children seated round
the fire.
Quiet. Very quiet. The noisy little Cratchits were as still (quieto) as
statues in one corner, and sat looking up at Peter who was reading
from a book. The mother and her daughters were sewing (coser). But
surely they were very quiet!
Peter Cratchit: ‘And He took a child, and set him in the midst (en
medio) of them.'
Mrs. Cratchit: And here is your father at the door! You went to the
graveyard (cementerio) today, then, Robert?
Bob Cratchit: Yes, my dear. I wish you could have gone. It would have
done you good to see how green a place it is. But you'll see it often. I
promised him that I would walk there on a Sunday. My little, little child!
My little child!
Narrator: They sat around the fire and talked. The girls and mother
continued sewing. Bob told them of the extraordinary kindness of Mr.
Scrooge’s nephew, who had met him in the street that day, and -
seeing that he looked a little down (abatido) - inquired what had
happened to distress (disgustar) him.
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 17
Bob Cratchit: I told him. 'I am heartily sorry for it, Mr. Cratchit,' he said,
'and heartily sorry for your good wife. If I can be of service to you in
any way,' he said, giving me his card, 'that's where I live. Pray (le
ruego) come to me. ' It really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim,
and felt with us. I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Tim
shall we?
All the Cratchits: Never, father!
Bob Cratchit: And I know, my dears, that when we remember how
patient and how mild (dulce) he was, although he was a little, little
child, we shall not quarrel (pelear) easily among ourselves, and forget
poor Tiny Tim.
All the Cratchits: No, never, father!
Bob Cratchit: I am very happy, I am very happy!
Narrator: The Ghost of Christmas yet To Come conveyed him to a
churchyard. Here, the wretched man, whose name he had now to learn,
lay underneath the ground. The Spirit stood among the graves
(tumbas) and pointed down to one. Scrooge advanced towards it
trembling.
Scrooge: Spirit, tell me what man that was who we saw lying dead.
Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point, answer me one
question. Are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they
shadows of things that may be, only? Am I that man who lay upon the
bed?
No, Spirit! Oh no, no! Spirit! Hear me! I am not the man I was. Why
show me this, if I am past all hope! Good Spirit, assure me that I may
yet change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life! I will
honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live
in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall
live within me. I will not shut out (olvidar) the lesson that they teach.
I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future! The Spirits of all
Three shall be within me. Oh Jacob Marley! Heaven and Christmas Time
be praised (alabados sean) for this! I don't know what to do! I am as
light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a
schoolboy. I am as giddy (mareado) as a drunken man. A Merry
Christmas to everybody! A Happy New Year to all the world. I don't
know what day of the month it is! I don't know how long I've been
among the Spirits. I don't know anything. Never mind (no importa). I
don't care (me da igual). What's today!
Boy: Eh?
Scrooge: What's today, my fine fellow?
Boy: Today! Why, CHRISTMAS DAY.
Scrooge: It's Christmas Day! I haven't missed (perderse algo) it. The
Spirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like. Of
course they can. Hallo, my fine fellow!
Boy: Hallo!
Scrooge: Do you know the butcher's, in the next street but one, at the
comer?
Boy: I should hope I did.
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 18
Scrooge: An intelligent boy! A remarkable (excepcional) boy! Do you
know whether they've sold the prize turkey that was hanging up
there?
Boy: What, the one as big as me?
Scrooge: What a delightful boy! It's a pleasure to talk to him. Yes, my
boy!
Boy: !t's hanging there now.
Scrooge: Is it? Go and buy it and tell ' em to bring it here, that I may
give them the address where to take it. Come back (regresar) with the
man, and I’ll give you a shilling. Come back with him in less (menos)
than five minutes and I'll give you half-a-crown (corona)!
Narrator: The boy was off (marcharse) like a shot.
Scrooge: I'll send it to Bob Cratchit's! He won't know who sends it. It's
twice the size (abulta el doble) of Tiny Tim.
Narrator: The hand in which he wrote the address was not a steady
one, but he wrote it somehow. He went downstairs to open the street
door, ready for the coming of the butcher’s man. As he stood there,
the knocker caught his eye.
Scrooge: I shall love that knocker, as long as I live! I scarcely (apenas)
ever looked at it before. What an honest expression it has on its face!
It's a wonderful knocker! - Here's the Turkey! Hallo! Whoop! How are
you! Merry Christmas! Why, it's impossible to carry that to Camden
Town. You must have a cab (taxi).
Narrator: The chuckle (risita) with which he said this, and the chuckle
with which he paid for the Turkey, and the chuckle with which he paid
for the cab, and the chuckle with which he recompensed the boy, were
only to be exceeded by the chuckle with which he sat down breathless
(sin aliento) in his chair again, and chuckled till he cried.
He dressed himself "all in his best" and at last got out into the streets.
The people were by this time filling the streets, as he had seen them
with the Ghost of Christmas Present. Scrooge regarded every one with
a delighted smile. He looked so irresistibly pleasant that three or four
good-humoured fellows said, "Good morning, sir! A Merry Christmas to
you!"
He had not gone far when, coming towards him, he saw the fat
gentleman who had walked into his counting-house the day before, and
had said, "Scrooge and Marley's, I believe?"
Scrooge: My dear sir, how do you do? I hope you succeeded yesterday.
It was very kind of you. A Merry Christmas to you, sir!
First Visitor: Mr. Scrooge?
Scrooge: Yes. That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to
YOU. Allow me to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness . . .
First Visitor: Lord bless me! My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious?
Scrooge: If you please, not a penny less. A great many back-payments
(pagos atrasados) are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me that
favour?
ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 19
First Visitor: My dear sir, I don't know what to say.
Scrooge: Don't say anything, please. Come and see me. Will you come
and see me?
First Visitor: I will!
Scrooge: I am much obliged to you. Thank you fifty times. Bless you!
Narrator: He went to church, and walked about the streets, and patted
(acariciar) children on the head, and found that everything could give
him pleasure. He had never dreamed that any walk could give him so
much happiness. In the afternoon he walked towards his nephew's
house. He passed the door a dozen times, before he had the courage
to go up and knock. But he made a dash, and did it:
Scrooge's Nephew: Why bless my soul! Who's that?
with his door wide open, that he might see him come in. Bob's hat was
off before he opened the door. He was on his stool (banqueta) in a
jiffy (en un segundo) working away (afanándose) with his pen.
Scrooge: Hallo! What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?
Bob Cratchit: I am very sorry, sir. I am late.
Scrooge: You are? Yes, I think you are. Step this way, sir, if you please.
Bob Cratchit: It's only once a year, sir. It shall not be repeated. I was
making rather merry yesterday, sir.
Scrooge: Now, I’ll tell you what (le diré una cosa), my friend, I am not
going to stand (soportar) this sort of thing any longer. And I am about
to raise your salary! A Merry Christmas, Bob! A merrier Christmas, my
good fellow, than I have given you, for many a year! I’ll raise your

Scrooge: It's I. Your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let
me in, Fred?

Narrator: Let him in! It is a mercy (milagro) he didn’t shake his arm off
(arrancar). He was at home in five minutes. His niece looked just the
same. So did everyone when they came. Wonderful party, wonderful
games, won-der-ful happiness!

But he was early at the office next morning. Oh, he was early there. If
he could only be there first, and catch Bob Cratchit coming late! That
was the thing he had set his heart upon (empeñarse positivamente).
And he did it; yes, he did! The clock struck nine. No Bob. A quarter
past. No Bob. He was eighteen and a half minutes late. Scrooge sat

ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 20

salary, and try to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your
affairs this very afternoon, Bob! Prepare the fires, and buy some more
coal before you dot another!, Bob Cratchit!

Narrator: Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely
more, and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He
became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the
good old city knew, and he had no further encounters with the Spirits,
and it was always said of him that he knew how to celebrate Christmas
better than any man alive. May that be truly said of all of us! And so,
as Tiny Tim observed,

Tiny Tim: God bless Us, Every One!

ies ramón y cajal. J. Prieto C. 21