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The dark figure moved slowly towards Scrooge. It wore a long black robe that covered its whole body, and only one hand could be seen. It did not speak.

“Are you the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come?” Scrooge asked. The figure nodded.

Scrooge felt very afraid, but he said, “I know you will show me things that will happen in the future. I am ready to learn.”

The spirit took him to the streets of London. They stopped near some businessmen talking. Scrooge listened. They spoke about a man who had died, but they did not seem sad. They joked and said no one would go to his funeral.

Next, the spirit took him to a dirty, dark part of the city. Inside a small shop, people were selling things they had stolen from the dead man—bed curtains, clothes, even his blankets. Scrooge was shocked.

Then they visited a poor, messy room. On a bed lay a body covered with a sheet. The spirit pointed to it, but Scrooge could not bring himself to look under the cover. He was frightened to see the face.

“Spirit,” he begged, “tell me—was this man liked by anyone?”

The spirit showed him a poor family. They were happy because the dead man had been a cruel moneylender, and now they had more time to pay their debts.

Finally, the spirit took him to a quiet churchyard. They stopped by a grave. The spirit pointed to the name on the stone. Scrooge’s hands shook as he read it: EBENEZER SCROOGE.

“No, Spirit! This cannot be my future! Please tell me I can change it!” Scrooge cried, falling to his knees. “I will honour Christmas in my heart and live differently from now on!”

The spirit’s black robe began to fade, and Scrooge found himself back in his own bed.

When Scrooge woke up, it was very dark. He heard the church bell strike one. He remembered Marley’s warning: the second spirit would visit at this time.

Scrooge saw a bright light coming from the next room. He got out of bed and followed it. Inside, he found a giant sitting on a throne made of food—turkeys, geese, pies, puddings, fruit, and vegetables. The giant wore a green robe with white fur, and a wreath of holly on his head. His eyes sparkled, and he had a cheerful smile.

“I am the Ghost of Christmas Present,” said the spirit. “Come with me.”

The spirit took Scrooge through the streets of London. It was Christmas morning, and the shops were full of food. People were busy, happy, and greeting each other with kindness.

They visited Bob Cratchit’s small home. The Cratchits were poor, but they were preparing a special Christmas dinner. Bob’s wife, Mrs. Cratchit, cooked a goose while her children set the table. Then Bob came home with his youngest son, Tiny Tim, who walked with a small crutch.

Scrooge noticed that Tiny Tim looked weak and ill. The family sat down to eat, and Bob made a toast: “A Merry Christmas to us all, and God bless us!”

“God bless us, everyone!” said Tiny Tim.

Scrooge whispered to the spirit, “Will Tiny Tim live?”

The spirit’s smile faded. “If things do not change, the child will die.” Scrooge felt very sorry.

Next, the spirit took Scrooge to many different places—mines, lighthouses, and ships at sea. Everywhere, people were celebrating Christmas with joy.

Finally, they visited Scrooge’s nephew’s home. Fred and his friends were playing games and laughing. Fred spoke kindly about his uncle, saying he wished Scrooge would accept his invitations.

As the night grew older, the spirit began to change. He looked tired and older. From beneath his robe, two small, dirty children appeared. They were thin and hungry.

“Who are they?” asked Scrooge.

“They are Want and Ignorance,” said the spirit. “Beware of them both, but especially Ignorance, for it brings great danger.”

The church bell struck twelve. The spirit disappeared, and Scrooge saw a dark, hooded figure coming towards him—the final spirit.

Scrooge woke up in the middle of the night. The church bell struck twelve. He was confused—it had been past two o’clock when he went to bed. He remembered Marley’s words about three spirits visiting him, and he began to feel nervous.

After a while, a strange light shone in his room. Then the curtains of his bed opened, and a figure stood there.

It was a strange-looking child, but also like an old man. Its hair was white, but its face was young and fresh. A bright light shone from the top of its head. It wore a long white robe and held a branch of holly.

“Are you the spirit Marley told me about?” asked Scrooge.

“Yes,” said the spirit. “I am the Ghost of Christmas Past. I am here for your welfare.”

Scrooge was afraid, but the spirit told him to take its hand. Suddenly, they passed through the wall and were standing outside, on a country road. It was early morning.

“This is where I grew up!” Scrooge said with surprise. He saw fields, hedges, and a small village in the distance. He felt happy and sad at the same time.

They walked into the village and came to a small school. Inside, a lonely boy sat reading by the fire. Scrooge knew at once—it was himself as a child. He remembered how, during Christmas, other children went home to their families, but he stayed alone at school. Tears came to his eyes.

The spirit showed him another Christmas. This time, a young girl—his sister, Fan—ran into the room. She was happy and told him their father had become kinder and had sent for him to come home. Scrooge remembered how much he had loved her.

Then they saw another memory—Scrooge as a young man working for a kind boss named Mr. Fezziwig. It was Christmas Eve, and Fezziwig was giving a party with music, dancing, and food. Everyone was laughing and having fun. Scrooge smiled as he remembered the joy of that evening.

The spirit then showed him a sad scene—Scrooge as a young man talking to a woman named Belle. She told him she could no longer marry him because he loved money more than her. Scrooge watched as Belle left him forever.

“Please, Spirit, take me home,” Scrooge said in pain. “I can’t see any more.”

The spirit’s light shone brighter and brighter. Scrooge tried to cover it with the spirit’s own cap. Suddenly, he was back in his bedroom. Exhausted, he fell into a deep sleep.