Christmas Carols - Bedside English Learning Reader III (Pure English Version)

Author: Li Zhengshuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: "Bedside Lamp English Learning Readers" series, a pure English edition, featuring 50 worth reading for a lifetime foreign literary works, written with 3,300 commonly used words. The language is modern, authentic, standard, and flavorful, yet easy to understand. Reading this book allows readers to accumulate Western culture and improve their taste and cultivation. It is a highly recommended English easy reader for beginners and intermediate learners. Each book is accompanied by a high-quality audio tape. This book narrates the transformation of an old man—Scrooge. Through the visit of the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley, who died in the same way as him, and three Christmas ghosts—the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come—that rescue him, he changes overnight from a stingy, indifferent, and unwilling-to-help-the-poor rich old man into a kind-hearted, enthusiastic, and charitable elder. Old Scrooge was a notorious businessman in the ancient city of London. He was a peculiar old man, cunning and unkind, with neither relatives nor friends. His only goal was to make money, but money did not bring him any joy. Although he was wealthy, he was extremely stingy. In the cold winter, he refused to let his poor employee Bob Cratchit have a fire in the cold office to warm himself. Scrooge had a nephew, a talented young man who brought laughter wherever he went. However, Scrooge despised his nephew's optimistic attitude. He once had a friend, his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley. To call them friends was only because they shared the same obsession with making money, the same indifference to the suffering of others, and the same hatred for Christmas. If someone had mistaken him for Jacob Marley this afternoon, he would have forgotten his deceased friend for a long time. Why would someone suddenly come looking for Jacob Marley? Scrooge got angry at the mention of this, not because of the damn Christmas! How could someone ask him to donate to the poor on Christmas? What's the big deal if a few people died? He hated Christmas the most, yet everywhere he went, people were shouting "Merry Christmas." But this Christmas was different for Scrooge. When he returned home and opened the door, he saw Jacob Marley's pale face on the doorknob! He thought it was a hallucination, but soon, Marley's ghost really appeared in Scrooge's bedroom! Marley was wrapped in heavy chains and a metal money box, which he claimed to have made for himself in life. He said that souls like him had no place to go after death and could only wander around with heavy shackles. He came today to save Scrooge, giving him one last chance to atone for his sins. He told Scrooge that three ghosts would visit him, hoping he would cherish this opportunity. After speaking, Marley disappeared. Scrooge waited nervously for the arrival of the three ghosts. The three ghosts he would see were the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. They took Scrooge to see Christmas in the past, present, and several years in the future. Scrooge relived the beautiful moments of the past and felt his cruelty. Just as he had resolved to change his ways, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come showed him his miserable death. Scrooge screamed in pain and clung to the ghost, only to find himself lying in bed, drenched in cold sweat. He was relieved that it was just a dream and that he hadn't missed this Christmas. So, would Scrooge change from then on? Dear readers, you can find the answer in the book yourself!