Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader III: Christmas Carols (English-Chinese Contrast)

Author: Li Zhengshuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Scrooge is a notorious businessman in the ancient city of London. He is a peculiar old man, sharp-tongued and mean, with neither relatives nor friends. His only goal is to make money, but wealth has brought him no joy whatsoever. Despite his wealth, he is extremely stingy, forbidding his poor employee Bob Cratchit from making a fire in the cold office during the freezing winter. Scrooge has a nephew, an outstanding young man who brings laughter wherever he goes. However, Scrooge despises his nephew's optimistic attitude. He once had a friend, his deceased business partner Jacob Marley. To call them friends was purely because they shared the same obsession with making money, the same indifference to others' suffering, and the same aversion to Christmas. If it weren't for being mistaken for Jacob Marley this afternoon, he hadn't thought of this past friend in a long time. Why would someone suddenly be looking for Jacob Marley? Scrooge gets angry whenever the topic comes up, and it's not because of the damn Christmas! Someone actually wants him to collect donations for the poor on Christmas! Is there not enough people in the world? What's the big deal if a few die? He hates Christmas the most, yet everywhere he goes, people are shouting "Merry Christmas"! But this Christmas is quite unusual for Scrooge. When he returned home and opened the door, he was shocked to see Jacob Marley's pale face on the doorknob! He thought it was a hallucination, but soon after, Marley's ghost truly appeared in Scrooge's bedroom! Marley was wrapped in heavy chains and a metal money box, saying it was something he had made for himself in life. After death, souls like his had no place to go and could only wander about in heavy shackles. He came today to save Scrooge, to give 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 vanished. 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, the present, and several years in the future. Scrooge relived the joys 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 agony and clung to the ghost, only to find himself lying in bed, drenched in cold sweat. He was relieved it was just a dream and that he hadn't missed this Christmas. So, will Scrooge change from now on? Dear readers, you'll have to find the answer in the book yourself!