Vaughan a Christmas Carol

7/28/2019 Vaughan a Christmas Carol

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1i G9ris'tmas'arol vaugh,~1J

Vaughans proudto presentCharles

Dicken'sclassicChristmqsaleof the

miserableScrooge,whofinallylearnsthe

error of.hiswaysandturnsfrommiserto

well-doer.

."PackeduI!of colourfulcharacters,both

realandsupernatural,hisstorymakesor

a rivetingread,perfector allthefamily.

VAUGHAN COLLECTION

.... VGH C01 .UCf 'ON

1i G~rjs\mas'-01

11.G~ristmas'Garol"o.too""*'

ByCharles Dickens



~~ track 1 A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Narrator:Marley was dead. There is no doubt about that. The register ofhis burial was signed by the clergyman (cura), the clerkt (contable), the under-

taker (director de lafil11eraria), and the chiefmourner. Scrooge signed it.

Scrooge and he were partners (socio.\) for many years. Scrooge was his sole

(Único) executor (albacea), his sole administrator, his sole friend, and sole

mourner (doliente).Ohl 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 wil/ you come to see me?" No beggars (mendigos) asked himformoney. No children asked him what time it was. No man or woman ever once

in his liJe inquired the way to such and such (talo cual) a place. No-one askedScrooge for anything.

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

Once upon a time-of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve-old



Vaughan Radio A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Narrator: Scrooge S nephew, Fred, had been walking rapidly in the fog and

frost (escarcha). Bisface was glowing (radiante). Bis eyes sparkled (brillar).

Scrooge: Why did you get married?

Nephew: Because 1fell in love.

Scrooge: Because you fell in love! Good afternoon!

Nephew: But unele, you never carne to see me before 1got married. Why

give it as a reason for not coming now?

Scrooge: Good afternoon.

Nephew: 1want nothing from you; 1ask nothing of you; why canoot we befriends?

Scrooge: Good afternoon.

Nephew: 1am 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, unele! And A Happy New Year!

Scrooge: Good afternoon!

~ Nephew: Christmasa humbug, uncle! Youdon't mean (decir en serio) that,2 I am sure?

Scrooge: 1do mean it. Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry?

What reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough.Nephew: Come, then. What right have you to be dismal? What reason have

you to be miserable (abatido/deprimido)? You're rich enough.

Scrooge: Bah!

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

Scrooge: Merry Christmas! What's Christmas time to you but a time for

paying bilis (facturas) without money, a time for finding yourself ayear older,

but not an hour richer, a time for balancing your books (hacer cuadrar las

cuentas).

Nephew: Vnele!

Scrooge: Nephew! Keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in

mme.

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!

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

1know 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, 1believe that it has done me good,

and wi/l do me good; and I say, God bless it!

Narrator: Bis nephew left the room. Be 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 cordial/y.

Scrooge: There's another fellow. My elerk, 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 lapuerta), he el>

let two other people in (recibir/invitar a pasar). 3

Narrator: The clerk involuntarily applauded.

First Visitor: Scrooge and Marley's, 1believe. 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 Vzsitor:At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, i t is more than

usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and

destitute (indigentes), who suffer greatly at the present t ime.

Second Visitor: Many thousands are in want of cornmon necessities;

hundreds of thousands are in want of cornmon comforts, sir .

Scrooge: Are there no prisons?

Scrooge: Let me hear another sound fromyou, and you'l l keep your

Christmas by losing your position!

Nephew: Don't be angry, unele. Come! Dine with us to-morrow.

Scrooge: NO!

Nephew: But why? Why?

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Second Visitor: Plenty of prisons.

Scrooge: And the workhouses?2 Are they sti ll in operation?

Second Visitor: They are. Sti ll . 1wish 1could say they were not.

Scrooge: The Treadmill3 (molino disciplinario inglés) and the Poor Law

are in full vigour, then?

Second Visitor: Both very busy, sir .

Scrooge: Oh! 1was 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 ofus are trying to raise funds to buy the Poor some

meat and drink, and means ofwarmth. We choose thjs time, because it is

a time, of all others, when Want (la necesidad) is keenly (profundamente)

felt (sentir), and Abundance rejoices (regocijar). What shall 1put you down

(apuntar) foro

Scrooge: Nothing!

First Visitor: You wish to be anonymous?

Scrooge: 1wish to be left alone. Since you ask me what 1wish, gentlemen,

that is my answer. 1don't make merry myselfat Christmas and 1can't affordto make idle people merry. 1help 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. !t' s enough for a man to understand

his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. My business

occupies me constantly. Good aftemoon, gentlemen!

Scrooge: You'll want all day to-morrow, 1suppose? t!>

Bob Cratchit: If convenient, sir. 4

Scrooge: !t's not convenient and it's not fair. If 1was to stophalf-a-crown

(media corona) for it, you'd think yourselfill-used (maltratado).And yet you

don't think me ill-used, when 1paya day's wages for no work.

Bob Cratchit: It isonly oncea year, sir.

Scrooge: A poor excuse for picking (robar) a man's pocket every twenty-

fifth of Oecember! 1suppose you must have the whole day.Be here all the

earlier (más temprano aún) nextmoming.

2 Asilos para pobres donde daban comida y alojamiento a cambio de tmbajar.

3 En el siglo XIX, un tipo de molino utilizado para realizar tmbajos forzados en las prisiones británicas.

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 o frooms. The house was old

and dreary (lÓbrega, deprimente), for nobody lived in it except Scrooge. The

other rooms were alllet out (alquilar) as offices. Thefog andfrost hung about

(rodear) the black old gateway (ve/ja) ofthe house.Now. it is a fact that there was nothing at all particular about the knocker

(aldaba/l/amador) 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. l t is also a

fact that Scrooge had as little imagination as any man in the cUy of London. Yet

on that Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), Scrooge saw not a knocker, but Marley s

face.

Marleysface. lt had a dismallight about it The eyes were wide open (como

platos/muy abier tos) and were perfectly motionless ( inmóvil). As Scrooge

looked fixedly at this phenomenon, it was a knocker again. Tosay that he was

not troubled (azorado/turbado) would be untrue (mentira).

He took out the key, turned it, walked in, and lighted his candie. UpScrooge

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 (zapa-

tillas) and nightcap (gorro de dormir), and sat down before the f ire to take his

gruel (gachas).

Narrator: Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point. the

gentlemen lefl.

Meanwhile thefog 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 of f (bajarse) his stool. The clerk puton his hato

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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

As he threw his head back (recostar) in the chair, he glanced up (levantar la

vista) at a disused (en desuso/que no utilizaba) bel/ that hung in the room. 1t

was with great astonishment (asombro) and with a strange, inexplicable dread

(temor) that, as he looked, he saw this bel/ begin to swing (moverse de uno

a otro lado/balancearse). 1t swung so softly that it scarcely (apena!. ) made a

sound, but soon it rang out (sonar/resonar) loudly, and so did every bel/ in thehouse.

This might have lasted half a minute, or a minute, but i tseemed an hour. The

bel/s stopped as they had begun, together. They were fol/owed by a clanking

(metálico) noise from down below in the cel/ar ( .<;ótano)as if someone were

dragging (arrastrar) a heavy chain. Scrooge then remembered that ghosts in

haunted (encantada!.) houses were described as dragging chains.

The cel/ar-door flew open (abrirse súbitamente) with a booming (retumban-

te) 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! 1won't believe it.

His eolour changed though, when, without a pause, it came on (pasal)

through the heavy door, and passed into the room before his eyes. 1twas Mar-

ley s Ghost. The .'lameface, the very same. Marley. The chain he dragged was

fastened (atada) about his middle (cintura). 1twas made of cash-boxes (cajas

para el dinero), keys, and deeds (escrituras). His body was transparento

Scrooge: How now! What do you want with me?

Marley's Ghost: Mueh!

Scrooge: Who are you?Marley's Ghost: Ask me who 1was.

Scrooge: Who were you then?

Marley's Ghost: In life 1was your partner, Jaeob Marley!

Scrooge: Merey! Dreadful apparition, why do you trouble (molestar) me?

Marley's Ghost: Man ofthe worldly (materialista) mind! Do you believe in

me or not?

Scrooge: 1do, 1must. But why do spirits walk the earth, and why do they

eome to me?

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Vaughan Radio

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). Ifthat spirit does not travel in li fe, 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 ear th and might have tumed to

happiness!

Scrooge: You are chained. Tell me why.Marley's Ghost: 1wear the chain 1forged ([or:jar) in life. 1made it link by

link (eslabón a eslabón), and 1wore it ofmy 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: 1have no comfort to give. 1cannot rest, 1cannot stay, 1

cannot linger (permanecer) anywhere. My spirit never walked beyond our

counting-house in life. Weary (cansado) joumeys lie before (esperar) me! No

rest, no peace.

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

Marley's Ghost: Business! Mankind (la humanidad) was my business. The

common welfare (bienestar) was my business. Charity, merey (misericordia),

and benevolence were all, my business. The dealings (asuntos/negocios) ofmy

trade were but a drop (gota) ofwater in the ocean ofmy business! At this t ime

ofthe year, 1suffer most. Hear me! My time is nearly gone

Scrooge: 1will. But don' t be hard on me! Jacob! Pray! (te lo suplico)

Marley's Ghost: 1am here to-night to wam you that you have yet a 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: 1-1 think I' d rather not.

Marley's Ghost: Without their visits you cannot hope to avoid the path 1

walk. Expect the first to-morrow, when the bell tolls (dar/tocar) One.

Scrooge: Couldn' t 1take '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) ofTwelve. And for

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your own sake, remember what has passed between us!

Narrator: Scrooge became aware of confused noises in the air. The spectre

floated out (salirflotando) into the bleak, dark night. Scrooge fol!owed to the

window, desperate in his curiosity. He looked out. The air wasfil!ed with phan-

toms, wandering here and there and moaning (gimiendo) as they went. Every

one ofthem wore chains. The misery with them al! was, clearly, that they sought(tratar de) to interfereJor good, in human matters, and had lost the power for

ever.

Scrooge c/osed the window. From the emotion 01'fatigues of the day, 01'his

glímpse (vistazo) ofthe Invisible World (el más allá), 01'the dul! (triste) conver-

sation of the Ghost, 01'the lateness (lo tarde) of the hour, he was ingreat need

of restoHe went straight to bed, without undressing (.<;inesvestirse), and fel!

asleep instantly.

When Scrooge awoke, it was dark. The chimes (campanadas) of a neighbour-

ing (cercana/vecina) church began to strike (.\'Onar),so he lístenedfor the hour.

To his great astonishment (asombro) the heavy bel! went onfrom six to seven,

andfrom seven to eight, and up to twelve, then stopped. Twelve!

Scrooge: Why (vaya/anda), i t isn' t possible that 1can have slept through

(dormir de un tirón) a whole day and far into another night.

Narrator:' The idea alarmed him. He scrambled out (levantarse apresurada-

mente) ofbed and went tothe window. Al! he could make out was that itwas still

veryfoggy and extremely cold, and that there was no noise ofpeople 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 01'not?"

Scrooge remembered that the Ghost had warned him of a visitation when the

bel! tol!ed one. He resolved to l íe awake (estar tumbado despierto) until the

hour was passed. At last the bel! sounded One. Lightflashed up (encenderse) in

the room and the curtains ofhis 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? ~5

1

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Ghost of Christmas Past: 1arn!

Scrooge: Who and what are you?

Ghost of Christmas Past: 1arn the Ghost of Christmas Past.

them poorly lurnished, cold and vastoIn one 01these a lonely boy was reading

near aleeble (débil) jire. Scrooge wept (llorar) to see his poor lorgotten self (.W

pobre y olvidada persona) as he used to be.

Narrator: As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall 01 the

house, and stood upon (estar en) an open country road, thefields on either side.

The ci ty had vanished, and the darkness and the mist had vanished with it. l twas a e/ear, cold, winter day, with snow upon the ground.

Scrooge: Poor boy! 1wish, but it's too late now.

Ghost of Christmas Past: What is the rnatter?

Scrooge: Nothing, Nothing. There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol atrny door last night. 1should like to have given hirn sornething: that's all .

Ghost ofChristmas Past: Let us see another Christmas!

Scrooge: Good Heaven! 1was brought up (criar) in this place. 1was a boy

here!

Ghost of Christmas Past: Let us go on. Do you rernernber the way?

Scrooge: Rernernber it! 1could walk it blindfold (con los ojos cerrados).

Narrator: Scrooge s former self grew larger at the words, and the school-room became a little darker and dirtier. There he was, alone again, when all

the other boys had gone home lor 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 01his head, glanced anxiously

towards the door. It opened. A litt le girl, much younger than the boy, came in

and put her arms about his neck, often kissing him.

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 thefields werelull 01merry sounds.

Ghost of Christmas Past: The school is not quite deserted. A solitary child,

neglected by his friends, is left there still .

Little Fan: Dear, dear brother. 1have come to bring you horne, dear

brother! To bring you horne, horne, horne!

Young Scrooge: Horne? Little Fan!

Little Fan: Yes! Horne, for ever and ever. Father is so rnuch kinder than

he used to ~e. Horne isnow like Heaven! He spoke so gentIy to me one dear

night when 1was going to bed. 1was not afraid to ask hirn once more if you

might come horne. He said Yes, you should and sent me in a coach (coche

de caballos) to bring you. And you're to be aman and are never to come

back here. But first, we're to be together all the Christmas long, and have the

rnerriest time in all the world.

Young Scrooge: You are quite a wornan, little Fan!

Ghost of Christmas Past: She died a wornan and had, as 1think, children.

Scrooge: One child.

Ghost ofChristmas Past: True. Your nephew!

Scrooge: Yeso

Ghost ofChristmas Past: These are but (sino) shadows ofthe things that

have been. They have no consciousness of uso

Narrator: The merry riders came on, and as they came, Scrooge knew and

named every one olthem. Why was he so happy to see them? Why was hefilled

with gladness when he heard them wish each other Merry Christmas as they

parted (separar) at the cross-roads lor their homes? What was Merry Christ-

mas to Scrooge? What good had i t ever done to him?

Narrator: Scrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed (lloral~. They left the

high-road and soon approached the school. They entered the dreary hall, and

glancing (echar un vistazo) through the open doors olmany rooms, they l ound Narrator: They left the school behind them and were now in the busy streets t:!)

6

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of a cUy. 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 i f he knewit.

Scrooge: Know it! 1was 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 sformer self, now grown a young man, came in, accom-

panied by his fellow apprentice, Dick.

Scrooge: Dick Wilkins, to be sure! Bless me, yesoThere he is. He was very

close to me, was Dick. Poor Dick! Dear, dear!

Old Fezziwig Yo ho, my boys! No more work to-nighí. Christmas Eve,

Dick. Christmas, Ebenezer!

Narrator: In came afiddler (violinista) with a music-book. In came Mrs. Fez-

ziwig, 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 thefiddler 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 Fezziwigdanced 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 01'her a Merry Christmas.

During the whole of this time, Scrooge s heart and soul were in the scene and

wUh his former self He remembered everything and enjoyed everything.

Ghost o/ Christmas Past: A small matter to make these silly folks so full of t:!}7

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VauglJan Radio A Christmas Carol by ClJarles Dickens

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 i f it cost afortune.

Ghost ofChristmas Past: My time grows short (acabarse). Quick!

Ghost of Christmas Past: One shadow more!

Scrooge: I don't wish to see it. Show me no more!

~8

Narrator: Scrooge saw himself again, but older now: a man in the prime of

his lije. He was not alone, but sat by the side of afair (bella) young girl inwhose

eyes there were tears.

Narrator: But the relentless (implacable) Ghost forced him to observe what

happened next. They were inanother scene and place: a room, not very large or

handsome, butfull of comfort. Near the winter fire sat a beautijul young girl, so

like Belle that Scrooge believed it was her, until he saw Belle, older now, sittingopposite her daughter. There were more children there.

Nowa knocking (golpe.\) was heard at the door. / t was father come home

bringing Christmas toys and presents. Oh the shouts ofwonder (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 wije Belle at the fireside

(hogarlchimenea). His daughter leaned (recostarse) fondly (con carilio) on

him. Scrooge s sight grew very dim indeed when he thought that such anothercreature, quite as graceful (llena de gracia) and asfull ofpromise, might have

called him father and been a spring-time (alegría) in the haggard (triste/soli-

tario) winter ofhis lije.

~9

Young Belle: Another idol has displaced me. I have seen your nobler

aspirations fall off one by one, until the master-passion (pasión que controla),

Gain (ganancia), controls you. Have I not?

Scrooge in his prime: I am not changed towards you, Belle.

Young Belle: Our contract is an old one. I t 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 mano

Scrooge in his prime: I was a boy.

Young Belle: Your own feeling tells you that you were not what you are.

I amoThat which promised happiness when we were one inheart isfraught

(lleno delcargado) with misery now that we are twO.How often I have thought

of this, I will not sayoIt is enough that I have thought of it, and can release

(liberar) you from your promise ofmarriage.

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 in

the life you have chosen.

Scrooge: Spirit! Show me no more1 Why do you delight (disfrutar) to

torture me?

Hu$band: Belle, I saw an old friend ofyours this aftemoon. Mr. Scrooge.

1passed his officewindow, and as itwas not shut up (cerrada) and he had a

candle inside, 1could scarcelyhelp (evitar) seeinghim. Hispartner lies upon

the point of death, I hear. There he sat alone, quite alone in the world,1 dobelieve.

Scrooge: Spirit! Remove (llevar)me fromthis place. I cannot bear

(soportar) it! Takeme back (llevar de vuelta).Hauntme no longer!

Narrator: Scrooge was conscious of being exhausted, and overcome (ven-

cido) byan irresistible drowsiness (suelio/sopor). He was back in his own bed-

room. He barely (apenas) had time toget into bed before hesank (.'Iumirse) into

a heavy (profundo) sleep.

Scrooge awoke and sat up (incorporarse) in bed toget his thoughts together

(aclarar/poner en orden). But the bell was again on the stroke (campanada) of

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One. A voice called him by his name.

Ghost of Christmas Present: Ebenezer Scrooge. 1am the Ghost of

Christmas Presento Look upon me!

Scrooge: Spirit, take me where you will. 1went last night and 1learnt a

lesson which is working now. Tonight, if you have anything to teach me, letme profit by it.

Ghost of Christmas Present: Touch my robe (túnica)!

Narrator: Scrooge did as he was told, and held the robefasto Suddenly, they

were inside Bob Cratchit s four-roomed house. Mrs. Cratchit, dressed poorly,

laid (pone'~ the table, assisted by Belinda Cratchit, second of her daughters,

while Master Peter Cratchit plunged afork into the saucepan of potatoes. And

now two smaller Cratchits. boy and girl, came tearing in, screaming that out-

side the baker s (panadería) they had smelt the goose (ganso). and known itfor

their own. Basking in (di.~'fi'utal1dode) thoughts of sage (salvia) and onion4,

these young Cratchits danced about the table.

Mrs. Cratchit: Whatever is keeping your precious father then? And your (fJ

brother, Tiny Tim! And Martha wasn't as late last Christmas Day. 11

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

ironframe (armazón)! Martha ran into herfather s arms, while the two young

Cratchits took Tiny Tim into the kitchen, that he might hear the pudding cook-

ing.

Mrs. Cratchit: And how did lit tle Tim behave (comportarse)?

4 Rel leno de salvia y cebol la : e l r e ll eno t íp ico para e lp avo o e lganso del d ía deNavidad.

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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.

Ghost of Christmas Present: If these shadows remain unaltered by the

Future, none other ofmy race wil l f ind Tiny Tim here. What then? Ifhe is to

(tener que) die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.

Narrator: Bob s voice trembled when he told them this.

The goose was served. Bob said he didn ~ believe there ever was such a goose

cooked. lts tenderness andflavour. size and cheapness were the themes (temas)

of universal admiration. Accompanied by apple-sauce and mashed potatoes

(pure de patatas), it was sufficÜint for the whole fami/y. Every one had had

enough. Now Mrs. Cratchit left the room to bring the pudding in. She entered-

flushed (.wfocadalcolorada), but smiling proudly (con orgullo) -with the pud-

ding so hard and firm, blazing (ardiendo) in ignited brandy, with Christmas

holly (acebo) stuck into the topo Oh, a wonderful pudding! Bob Cratchit said

that he regarded it as the greatest success achieved byMrs. Cratchit since their

marriage.

At last the dinner was over. All the Cratchitfami/y gathered round the hearth

(hogar).

Narrator: Scrooge hung (agachar) his head to hear his own words quoted

(citar) by the Spirit, and was overcome (sentirse abrumado) with penitence

(arrepentimiento) and grief (pro./ill1dapena).

Bob Cratchit: Mr. Scrooge! 1'11give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder ofthe (!Feast! 12Mrs. Cratchit:The Founder ofthe Feast indeed! I wish I had him here. I'd

give him a piece ofmy mind to feast upon.

Bob Cratchit: My dear, the children!Christmas Day.

Mrs. Cratchit: Ithas tobe Christmas Day,I amsure,to drink the health of

such an odious, stingy (tacaño), hard, unfeeling (insensible/pococompasivo)

man as Mr. Scrooge.Youknow he is, Robert! Nobody knows it better than

you do, poor fe11ow!

Bob Cratchit: My dear, Christmas Day.

Mrs. Cratchit: 1'11drink his health for your sake and the Day's, not for his.

Long life to him!AMerry Christmas and a Happy NewYear!He'l1be very

merry and very happy,I have no doubt!

l.Bob Cratchit: A Merry Chris tmas to us a11,my dears . God bless us!

All: God bless us!

Tiny Tim: God bless us every one!

Na'rrator: The chi/dren drank the toast (brindis) after her. Scrooge was the

Ogre (ogro) of the fami/y. 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 ofwarning (advertencia) from the Ghost, they stood

in Scrooge s nephew s house.

Scrooge: What place is this? t!Scrooge's Nephew: He said that Christmas was a humbug! He believed it 13

too!

Scrooge ~ Niece: More shame (vergüenza) for him, Fred!

Scrooge's Nephew: He's a comical old fe11ow,that 's the truth: and not so

pleasant as he might be. However, his offences carry their own punishment (en

Narrator: Tiny Tim sat very close to his father s side upon his lit tle 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) thathe might be taken from him.

Scrooge: Spirit, te11me ifTiny Timwilllive.

Ghost of ChristmasPresent: I see a vacant seat inthe comer, and a crutch

without an owner.If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the childwill die.

Scrooge: No, no. Oh, no, kind Spirit! Say he will be spared (perdonado).

11

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Vaughan Radio A Christmas Carol by CharlesDickens

el pecado lleva la penitencia), and 1have nothing to say against him.

Scrooge's Niece: I'm sure he is very rich, Fred. At least you always tel l me

so.

Scrooge's Nephew: What ofthat, my dear! His wealth is ofno use to him.

He doesn' t do any good with it. He doesn't make himself comfortable with it.

Scrooge's Niece: 1have no patience with him.

Scrooge's Nephew: Oh, 1have! 1am sorry for him; 1couldn't be angry withhim if 1tried. 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 usoWhat's the consequence?

Scrooge ~ Niece: Indeed, 1think he loses a very good dinner.

Scrooge's Nephew: 1was only going to say that the consequence ofhis

taking a dislike to us is that he loses some pleasant moments, which could do

him no harm (mal). 1mean (tener la intención) to give him the same chance

every year, whether he likes it or not, for (porque) 1pity (dar lástima) him.

con especias), and 1say, 'Vnele 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. Vnele Scrooge!

Narrator: Uncle Scrooge had become so light of heart (tranquilo) that he ~would have thanked them in an inaudible speech, if the Ghost had given him 14time. But he and the Spiri t were again on their travels.Much they saw, andlar they went, and many homes they vis ited, but always

with a happy end. The Spir it s tood beside sick (enfermos) beds , and they were

cheerful (alegres); onforeign lands, and they were close at home; by Ounto a)

struggling (que luchaban) men, and they were patient in their hope; bypoverty,

and it was rich. In hospitals, andjails, 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 ofthis.

Narrator: Af ter tea, they had some music. But they didn ~devote the whole

evening to music. After a while theyplayed a Game called Yesand No. Scrooge s

nephew had to think ofsomething, and the resthad todiscover what hewas think-

ing of He answered onlyyes 01'no to their questions. The questions showed that

Fred was thinking of an animal, a live animal, a rather (ciertamente, bastante)

savage animal, an animal that growled (gruñi1: bramQ/~ and grunted (gruñir)

sometimes , and talked somet imes, and lived in London. The animal was not a

horse , 01'an ass (asno), 01'a cow, 01'a bull, 01'a tiger, 01'a dog, 01'apig, 01 'a

cat , 01 'a bear . At everyfresh (nueva) question that was put (formular) to him,

the nephew burst into (desternillarse) afresh roar of laughter (risotada.s). At

last Scrooge s niece cried out:

Scrooge: Forgive me for what 1ask but 1see something strange under yourskirts . What is it?

Narrator: From its robe (túnica), the Spir it brought two children, wretch-

ed (desdichado::.) , abject (míseros), frightful (temerosos), hideous (espanto-

sos), 'miserable (triste::.) .They knelt down (arrodillarse) at its feet, and clung

(aferrarse) to the outside ofits garment (prenda).

Ghost 01 Christmas Present: Oh, Man! Look here. Look, look, down here.

Scrooge's Niece: 1have found it out (averiguar)! 1know what i t is, Fred! 1

know what it is!

Scrooge's Nephew: What is it?

Scrooge's Niece: It's your Vnele Scro-o-o-o-oge!

Scrooge's Nephew: He has given us plenty ofmerriment (diversion), 1

am sure. It would be ungrateful (desagradecido) ofus not to drink his health

(brindar a su salud). Here is a glass of mulled wine (ponche c~liente de vino

Narrator: They were a boy and girl: yellow (macilentos), ragged (harapien-

tos), sullen (hurmios), and wolfish (voraces). Scrooge started back (asustarse),

appalled (horrorizado).

Scrooge: Spirit! Are they yours?

Ghost olChristmas Present: They are Man's. And they cl ing 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 1see Doom (muertelfatalidad) written on his brow (frente), unless the

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writing be erased (borrada).

Scrooge: Rave 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)?

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 ingroups, 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.

'j} Narrator: The bell struck twelve. Scrooge looked about him for the Ghost ,

15 and did not see it. At the last stroke, he remembered theprediction of old Jacob

Marley. and lif ting up (alzando) his eyes, saw a solemn Phantom coming, like a

mist (neblina) along the ground, towards him.

Narrator: The Spirit did not answer, butpointed onward with its hand.

Great Fat Man: No, 1don't know much about it, either way (de uno u otro

modo). 1only know he's dead.

Red-faced Gentleman: When did he die?

Great Fat Man: Last night, 1believe.

Red-faced Gentleman: What has he done with his money?

Great Fat Man: 1haven't heard. Left it to his company, perhaps. Re hasn't

lef t it to me. That's a111know. It's likely (probable) to be a very cheap funeral,

for upon my life 1don't know anybody who will go. Suppose we volunteer?

Red-faced Gentleman: 1don't mind going if a lunch is provided.

Great Fat Man: 1'11offer to go, if anyone else will. When 1come to thinkofit,1'm not at all sure that 1wasn't his most par ticular fr iend, for we used to

stop and speak whenever we met. Bye, bye!

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 itvis-

ible save one outstretched hand.

Scrooge: 1am in the presence ofthe Ghost ofChristmas Yet To Come?

Scrooge: You are about to show me shadows ofthe things that have not

happened, but will happen in the future. 1sthat so, Spirit?

Narrator: The Phantom glided on (deslizarse) into a street. ltsfinger pointed

to two business men talking. Scrooge listened. He knew these men. They were

men ofbusiness, very wealthy (rico), and ofgreat importance.

Narrator: The upper part ofthe garment movedfor an instant, as if the Spirit

had incl ined its head. That was the only answer he received. First Wealthy Businessman: Well! Old Scratch has got his own (recibir su

merecido) at last, hey?

Second Wealthy Businessman: So 1am toldo Cold, isn 't it?First Wealthy Businessman: Seasonable (propio para la época del año) for

Christmas time. You're not a skater (patinador), 1 suppose?

Second Wealthy Businessman No. No. Something else to think of. Good

morning!

Scrooge: Ghost ofthe Future! 1fear you more than any spectre 1have seen.

But as 1know your purpose is to do me good, and as 1hope to live to be a

different man from what 1was, 1am prepared to keep you company, and do it

with a thankful hear t. Wil l you not speak to me?

Narrator: lt gave him no reply. The hand was pointed straight before them.

Scrooge: Lead on, Spirit!

Narrator: Not another word. That was their meeting, their conversation, and

their parting.

Narrator: The Phantom moved away (apartarse) . Scrooge followed in the

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Spirit! This is a fearful'place. Let us gol

"a;f.!

AChristmasCarol by CharlesDickens

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 fel! straight upon the bed. On it, un-

watched (.5invelar), unkept, uncaredfor (sin cuidados), was the body of aman.

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 ofgnawing rats. What they wanted in the room of death,

Scrooge did not dare (atreverse) to think.

~I

'

16

Scrooge: Spirit! This is a fearful (horrible) place. Let us gol

Narrator: The Ghost then conducted him through several streets familiar to

him. As they went along, Scrooge looked here and there to f ind himself, but he

was nowhere to be seen. They entered poor Bob Cratchit s house, and found the

mother and the children seated round thefire.

Quiet. VeryquietoThe noisy little Cratchits were as still (quieto3~ as statues in

one corner, and sat looking up atPeter who was readingfrom a book. The moth-

el' 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) ofthem.'

Mrs. Cratchit: And here is your father at the door! You went to the

graveyard (cementerio) to-day, then, Robert?

Bob Cratchit: Yes, my dear. 1wish you could have gone. It would have

done you good to see how green a place it is. But you'll see it often. 1

promised him that 1would walk there on a Sunday. My lit tle, l it tle child! My

little child!

Narrator: They sat around thefire 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 lit tle down

(abatido) - inquired what had happened to distress (disgustar) him.

Bob Cratchit: 1told him. '1 am heartily sorry for it, Mr. Cratchit,' he said,

1I1I -29-




'and heartily sorry for your good wife. IfI 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 usoI 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 lit tle, l it tle 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!

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 onequestion. Are these the shadows of the things that wil/ be, or are they shadows

of things that may be, only? Am 1 that man who lay upon the bed?

No, Spiri t! Oh no, no!

Spirit! Hear me! I am not the man I was. Why show me this, if I am past all

hope! Good Spiri t, 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 willlive in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The

Spiri ts of all Three shall live within me. I will not shut out (olvidar) the lesson

that they teach.

importa). I don' t care (me da igual).

What'stoday!

Boy: EH?

Scrooge: What's today, my fine fellow?

Boy: Today! Why, CHRISTMASAY.

Scrooge: !t '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.

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 1'11

give you a shilling. Come back with him in less (menos) than five minutes and

I'll give you half-a-crown (corona)!

tt Narrator: The Ghost 01Christmas fet To Come conveyed him to a church-

17 yard. 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.

Narrator: The boy was off (marcharse) l ike a shot.

Scrooge: I'll send itto Bob Cratchit's! He won't knowwho sends it. !t's

twice the size (abulta el doble) ofTiny Tim.

I willlive in the Past, the Present, and the Future! The Spirits of all Three

shall be withinme. Oh JacobMarley! Heaven andChristmas Timebe praised

(alabadossean) for this! I don't knowwhat to do! I amas light as a feather,

I amas happy asan angel,I amasmerry as a schoolboy.I amas giddy

(mareado) as a drunkenmanoAMerry Christmas to everybody!A HappyNew

Yearto all the world. I don't knowwhat day ofthe month itis! I don't know

how long I've been among the Spirits.I don't know anything. Never mind (no,

Narrator: The hand in which he wrote the address was not a steady one, buthe wrote i t somehow. He went downstairs to open the street door, readylor the

coming 01the butcher s manoAs 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

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Vaugban Radio A Christmas Caro) by Cbarles Dickens

a cab (taxi). door a dozen times, before he had the courage to go up and knock. But he made

a dash, and did it:

Narrator: The chuckle (ris ita) 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 exceed-

ed by the chuckle with which he sat down breathless (.~inaliento) in his chair

again, and chuckled till he cried.

He dressed himself "all in his best, " and at las t got out into the streets . The

people were by this time f illing the streets, as he had seen them with the Ghost

of Christmas Presento Scrooge regarded every one with a delighted smile. He

looked so irresistibly pleasant that three 01'four good-humoured fellows said,

"Good morning, sir! A Merry Christmas toyou!"

He had not gone lar 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, 1 believe?"

Scrooge's Nephew: Why bless my soul! Who's that?

Scrooge: It's I.Your unc1e Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let me

in, Fred?

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: YesoThat ismy name, and I fear i tmay 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: Ifyou please, not a penny less. A great many back-payments

(pagos atrasados) are inc1uded in it, I assure YOU.Will you do me that favour?

First Visitor: My dear sir, I don't know what to sayo

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: Let him in! It is a mercy (milagro) he didn ~ shake his arm off

(arrancar). He was at home infive minutes. His niece lookedjust the same. So

did everyone when they came. Wonderful party, wonderful games, won-der-ful

happiness!

But he was early at the ojJice next morning. Oh, he was early there. 1f he

could only be therefirst, 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 c/ock struck nine. No Bob. A quarter past. No Bob. He was eighteen and a

half minutes late. Scrooge sat 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 (ban-

queta) in ajif. lY (en un segundo). working away (ajcmándose) with his peno

ti> Narrator: He went to church, and walked about the streets, and patted

18 (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 hap-

piness . In the afiernoon he walked towards his nephew's house. He passed the

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? YesoI think you are. Step this way, sir, ifyou please.

Bob Cratchit: It's only once a year, sir . It shall not be repeated. I was

making rather merry yesterday, sir.

Scrooge: Now, 1'11tell you what (le dire una cosa), my friend, I am not

going to stand (soportar) this sort ofthing 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 ayear! 1 '11raise your salary, and try to assist

your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very aftemoon,

Bob! Prepare the fires, and buy some more coal before you dot another i,BobCratchit!

Narrator: Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and ir ifinitely more,

and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a

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,

111

I~

~

~

God bless Us, Every One!

A ChristmasCarol by CharlesDickens

frie nd, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old cit y knew, and he

ha d no further encounters w ith the Sp irits, a nd it was always said of him that he

knew how to c elebrate Christmas be tter than any man alive. May that be truly

said o f al! of us! And so, as T iny Tim o bserved,

Tiny Tim: God bless Us, Every One!

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Vaughan a Christmas Carol