When Scrooge awoke, it was completely dark. The clock struck twelve. Scrooge remembered that the ghost had warned him the spirit would come at one. He lay awake, waiting nervously. When the bell struck one, a light flashed in his room. A hand drew back his bed curtains. Scrooge found himself face to face with a strange visitor. It looked like a child, yet also like an old man. Its hair was white like an old person's, but its face was smooth and young. It wore a white tunic and held a branch of fresh green holly. But the strangest thing was the bright light that shone from the top of its head. 'Are you the spirit whose coming was told to me?' asked Scrooge. 'I am the Ghost of Christmas Past,' said the spirit in a soft, gentle voice. 'Long past?' asked Scrooge. 'No. Your past,' replied the ghost. 'Rise and walk with me,' said the spirit. The ghost took Scrooge's arm and led him toward the window. 'I am mortal and may fall!' cried Scrooge. 'Touch my hand,' said the spirit, 'and you shall fly.' They passed through the wall and flew through the night. Soon they stood on a country road. The city had vanished, and fields lay all around them. 'Good heavens!' said Scrooge. 'I grew up here! I was a boy here!' They walked along the road toward a small town. Scrooge recognized every gate, every tree. They came to a large brick building. 'This is my old school,' said Scrooge, his voice trembling. They entered and found themselves in a cold, empty classroom. A lonely boy sat reading by a small fire. All the other students had gone home for Christmas. Scrooge sat down and wept to see his poor forgotten self. 'I wish...' Scrooge said, then stopped. 'What is the matter?' asked the spirit. 'There was a boy singing a Christmas carol at my door last night,' said Scrooge. 'I wish I had given him something.' The ghost smiled and waved its hand. 'Let us see another Christmas,' it said. The scene changed, and the lonely boy was now a little older. He was still alone in the same cold room. Suddenly, a little girl burst through the door. 'Dear brother!' she cried, throwing her arms around him. 'I have come to bring you home! Father is so much kinder than he used to be!' 'Home, Fan?' said the boy. 'Yes!' she said, laughing and clapping her hands. 'Home forever and ever!' 'She had a warm heart,' said the ghost. 'Yes, she did,' said Scrooge. 'She died a young woman and had children.' 'One child, I think,' said the ghost. 'Yes,' said Scrooge quietly. 'My nephew Fred.' The ghost took him to another place and time. They stood outside a busy warehouse. 'Why, it's old Fezziwig!' cried Scrooge with great excitement. Inside, an old gentleman with a large smile was preparing for a party. 'Yo ho, my boys!' called out Fezziwig. 'No more work tonight! It's Christmas Eve!' Scrooge saw his young self and another apprentice clearing the room for dancing. Soon the warehouse was full of guests, music, and laughter. There was dancing and games and a wonderful feast. Young Scrooge danced with a pretty young woman and seemed truly happy. Old Scrooge watched with a heavy heart. 'Such a small thing,' said the ghost, 'to make these people so happy.' 'Small!' cried Scrooge. 'It wasn't the money he spent. He had the power to make us happy or unhappy.' Scrooge stopped, thinking of his own clerk. 'What is wrong?' asked the spirit. 'Nothing,' said Scrooge. 'I would just like to say a word to my clerk right now.' The scene changed again. Scrooge saw himself as a young man, sitting with a beautiful young woman. There were tears in her eyes. 'Another idol has replaced me,' she said softly. 'What idol?' asked young Scrooge. 'A golden one,' she replied. 'Money has become your only passion.' 'But I have learned to fear poverty,' said young Scrooge. 'And you fear the world too much,' she said. 'I release you from our engagement. You are free.' 'Belle!' cried the old Scrooge. 'Oh, no!' 'Show me no more!' he begged the ghost. 'Why do you torture me?' 'One more shadow,' said the ghost. They stood in another room, years later. Belle sat by a warm fire, surrounded by happy children. A man came in, tired from work but smiling. He kissed Belle and the children climbed all over him. Scrooge watched the happy family with pain in his heart. This could have been his life. 'Spirit!' cried Scrooge. 'Remove me from this place!' 'I told you these were shadows of things that have been,' said the ghost. 'They are what they are. Do not blame me.' 'Leave me!' cried Scrooge. 'Take me back!' In his struggle with the spirit, Scrooge grabbed its cap of light. He pressed it down upon the ghost's head. But the light streamed out from under it in an unbroken flood. Scrooge pressed down with all his strength. Suddenly, he found himself back in his own bedroom. He was extremely tired and immediately fell into a deep sleep.
B1Chapter 2 / 5867 words92 sentences
Stave Two: The First of the Three Spirits
Chapter 2 · A Christmas Carol · B1 English. Tip: Click on any word while reading to see its translation. Take your time with each chapter and review the vocabulary before moving on.
Chapter Summary
The Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge on a journey through his memories, showing him his lonely childhood, his time as an apprentice, and the moment he lost his beloved Belle to his growing obsession with money.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What did the Ghost of Christmas Past look like?
2
Where did the Ghost of Christmas Past first take Scrooge?
3
Who was the kind man who threw a Christmas party for his workers?
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