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Chapter 5. Scrooge, a new man. Scrooge is shocked. The bed is his own bed, and he is

in his own bedroom. The bed curtains are still around the bed. He quickly checks the room

and looks in his drawers. He is happy, because everything is in place. Nothing is stolen.

My silver knives and forks and clothes are all here. He cries in excitement. He feels very

happy, like a schoolboy. He cries and laughs at the same time, because he is very excited. He

thinks about the three spirits and their visits with a smile on his face.

Mary Christmas to everyone, a happy new year to the whole world. He says loudly.

What day is it today? He asks himself with a big laugh. Then he answers, I don't know,

but I don't care. I feel so good. He opens the window and looks out. It is a bright,

sunny day. He smells the fresh air. Then he shouts at a boy in the street.

What's today, my good boy? It is Christmas day, sir. Why? Oh, it's still Christmas day.

Scrooge repeats happily, and to the boy he shouts again. Go to the butcher shop on the corner and

buy the biggest turkey there. The butcher's man must bring it here. I'll pay him for the turkey.

Come back here with him. I'll give you a shilling. The boy quickly runs to the

butcher's shop and comes in a few minutes with the butcher's man. The butcher's man is

carrying a big turkey. Scrooge pays him and gives two shillings to the boy.

Take the turkey to this address. He says to the butcher's clerk and gives him a piece of

paper with the cratchit's address on it. Then he adds, don't tell the cratchit's that this

turkey is a present from me. I'll call a carriage for you. You can't walk all the way

there. It's quite far from here. After sending the turkey to the cratchit's, he puts on his

best clothes. He runs out of the house and walks. He smiles at the people in the street. Some men

say to him, good morning, sir, or Merry Christmas. He meets a gentleman. He remembers him immediately

and says, good day, sir. You are collecting money for the poor people. I know. It is very nice of

you. Please come to my office again tomorrow. I want to give some money for those people."

Scrooge quickly gets dressed and goes out. He cheerfully walks about the streets. He goes

to the church, too. He watches the people around and patts little children on the head.

He gives some money to the beggars and talks to the shopkeepers. He enjoys all this.

Then he arrives at his nephew's house. Fred is surprised to see him.

Uncle Scrooge, what a surprise. You are here for Christmas dinner.

Yes, Fred. I am. Can I come in? Scrooge has dinner with all the guests. Fred's wife is happy to see

him, too. After dinner, they have a wonderful party. Scrooge plays games with them. He has a

joyful time and lots of fun. The next morning, Scrooge goes to his office very early.

His clerk Bob Cratchit is not there yet. He arrives fifteen minutes late.

When he sees Scrooge in his room, he gets worried.

I'm very sorry, sir. I am late this morning. Indeed you are. And for that, I will pay you more money

every month. Bob cannot believe his ears.

Are you joking with me, sir? No, I am not. You work very hard for me. You are a very good clerk,

so you deserve a good salary. Oh, thank you, sir. I also want to help your family, Bob.

I want Tiny Tim to get better. In the afternoon, let us have tea together and talk about Tim.

Now, light the fireplaces and put lots of coal. It is very cold here.

Buy one more bucket of coal, too. Scrooge is a kind man at last. He becomes one of the

kindest men in the city. The people begin to like him. He becomes a good man, a good master,

and a good uncle. He really helps the Cratchits. Tiny Tim doesn't die. Scrooge becomes a second

father to him. He never meets the spirits again, but he never forgets them. He feels thankful to

them for their lessons. He is happy and smiling all the time. I will die as a good man, not as an

unkind, lonely old man. And people will come to my funeral. He often thinks to himself,

with a big smile on his face.