A Christmas Carol - Metodo Vaughan System

7/29/2019 A Christmas Carol - Metodo Vaughan System

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1i G9ris'tmas'arol vaugh,~1JVaughans proudto presentCharlesDicken'sclassicChristmqsaleof themiserableScrooge,whofinallylearnstheerror of.hiswaysandturnsfrommisertowell-doer.."PackeduI!of colourfulcharacters,both

realandsupernatural,hisstorymakesora rivetingread,perfector allthefamily.

VAUGHAN COLLECTION.... VGH C01 .UCf 'ON1i G~rjs\mas'-01 11.G~ristmas'Garol"o.too""*'ByCharles Dickens

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~~ track 1 A Christmas Carol by Charles DickensNarrator: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(nico) executor (albacea), his sole administrator, his sole friend, and sole

mourner (doliente).Ohl But Scrooge was tight-fisted, (tacao) secret, and solitary as an oyster(ostra). Nobody ever stopped him on the street to say, "My dear Scrooge, howare 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 oncein 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


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Vaughan Radio A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Narrator: Scrooge S nephew, Fred, had been walking rapidly in the fog andfrost (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 MerryChristmas, 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 haveyou 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 lascuentas).

Nephew: Vnele!Scrooge: Nephew! Keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it inmme.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 time1know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women open theirhearts freely. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap (pequeacantidad) 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 MerryChristmas to the clerk, who. cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge, for hereturned 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 (acompaar 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 ofaddressing (dirigirse a) Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?

Scrooge: Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years. He died seven yearsago, this very (misma) night.

First Vzsitor:At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, i t is more thanusually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor anddestitute (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 yourChristmas 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 ingls) and the Poor Laware in full vigour, then?Second Visitor: Both very busy, sir .

Scrooge: Oh! 1was afraid, from what you said at first , that something hadoccurred to stop them. I'm very glad to hear it.Second Visitor: A few ofus are trying to raise funds to buy the Poor somemeat and drink, and means ofwarmth. We choose thjs time, because it isa time, of all others, when Want (la necesidad) is keenly (profundamente)felt (sentir), and Abundance rejoices (regocijar). What shall 1put you down(apuntar) foroScrooge: 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-theycost enough; and those who are badly off (estar en malas condiciones) mustgo 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 thesurplus (excedente/sobrante) population. !t' s enough for a man to understandhis own business, and not to interfere with other people's. My businessoccupies me constantly. Good aftemoon, gentlemen!

Scrooge: You'll want all day to-morrow, 1suppose? t!>Bob Cratchit: If convenient, sir. 4Scrooge: !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 youdon'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 theearlier (ms temprano an) 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 britnicas.

Narrator: The clerk promised that he would, and Scrooge walked out with agrowl (gruido). He took his melancholy dinner in his usual melancholy tavernand, having read all the newspapers and studied his banker s book, he wenthome to bed. He lived in a gloomy (lgubre) suite o frooms. The house was oldand dreary (lbrega, deprimente), for nobody lived in it except Scrooge. Theother 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 thatScrooge had seen it, every night and every morning, for many years. l t is also afact that Scrooge had as little imagination as any man in the cUy of London. Yeton that Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), Scrooge saw not a knocker, but Marley sface.Marleysface. lt had a dismallight about it The eyes were wide open (comoplatos/muy abier tos) and were perfectly motionless ( inmvil). As Scroogelooked fixedly at this phenomenon, it was a knocker again. Tosay that he wasnot troubled (azorado/turbado) would be untrue (mentira).He took out the key, turned it, walked in, and lighted his candie. UpScroogewent. Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it. Before he shut his heavy door, hewalked through his rooms to see that everything was all right. His memory ofthe 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 (camisn), slippers (zapa-tillas) and nightcap (gorro de dormir), and sat down before the f ire to take hisgruel (gachas).

Narrator: Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point. thegentlemen lefl.Meanwhile thefog and darkness thickened (espesarse) and the cold becameintense. 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 lavista) at a disused (en desuso/que no utilizaba) bel/ that hung in the room. 1twas with great astonishment (asombro) and with a strange, inexplicable dread(temor) that, as he looked, he saw this bel/ begin to swing (moverse de unoa otro lado/balancearse). 1t swung so softly that it scarcely (apena!. ) made asound, 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. Thebel/s stopped as they had begun, together. They were fol/owed by a clanking(metlico) noise from down below in the cel/ar ( .


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Vaughan Radio

Marley's Ghost: It is required of every man that the spirit within him shouldwaIk abroad among his fellowmen (prjimo), and travel far and wide (portodas partes). Ifthat spirit does not travel in li fe, it is condemned to do soafter 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 tohappiness!

Scrooge: You are chained. Tell me why.Marley's Ghost: 1wear the chain 1forged ([or:jar) in life. 1made it link bylink (eslabn a eslabn), and 1wore it ofmy own free will (por mi propiavoluntad). 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, 1cannot linger (permanecer) anywhere. My spirit never walked beyond ourcounting-house in life. Weary (cansado) joumeys lie before (esperar) me! Norest, 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) ofmytrade were but a drop (gota) ofwater in the ocean ofmy business! At this t imeofthe 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-12-


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 thewindow, desperate in his curiosity. He looked out. The air wasfil!ed with phan-toms, wandering here and there and moaning (gimiendo) as they went. Everyone 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 forever.

Scrooge c/osed the window. From the emotion 01'fatigues of the day, 01'hisglmpse (vistazo) ofthe Invisible World (el ms all), 01'the dul! (triste) conver-sation of the Ghost, 01'the lateness (lo tarde) of the hour, he was ingreat needof restoHe went straight to bed, without undressing (.


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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 readingnear aleeble (dbil) jire. Scrooge wept (llorar) to see his poor lorgotten self (.Wpobre y olvidada persona) as he used to be.

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

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~ butwalking up and down despairingly (con desesperacin). Scrooge looked at theGhost and, with a mournful (lastimero) shaking 01his head, glanced anxiouslytowards the door. It opened. A litt le girl, much younger than the boy, came inand put her arms about his neck, often kissing him.Narrator: They walked along the road. Scrooge recognised every gate, andpost, and tree, until a little market-town appeared in the distance, with itsbridge, its church, and river. Some ponies now were seen trotting towards themwith 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, dearbrother! To bring you horne, horne, horne!

Young Scrooge: Horne? Little Fan!Little Fan: Yes! Horne, for ever and ever. Father is so rnuch kinder thanhe used to ~e. Horne isnow like Heaven! He spoke so gentIy to me one dearnight when 1was going to bed. 1was not afraid to ask hirn once more if youmight come horne. He said Yes, you should and sent me in a coach (cochede caballos) to bring you. And you're to be aman and are never to comeback here. But first, we're to be together all the Christmas long, and have thernerriest 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 thathave been. They have no consciousness of uso

Narrator: The merry riders came on, and as they came, Scrooge knew andnamed every one olthem. Why was he so happy to see them? Why was hefilledwith gladness when he heard them wish each other Merry Christmas as theyparted (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 thehigh-road and soon approached the school. They entered the dreary hall, andglancing (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:!)6-14- -15-


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of a cUy. It was plain enough (muy claro) that here too it was Christmas timeagain, but it was evening, and the streets were lighted up (iluminadas). TheGhost stopped at a warehouse (almacn) door and asked Scrooge i f he knewit.

Scrooge: Know it! 1was apprenticed (estar de aprendiz) here! Why, it's oldFezziwig! 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-nigh. 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 sonrisaradiante) and lovable (adorable). In came the six young men whose hearts theybroke. In came all the young men and women employed in the business. In camethe 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 couplesat once. Old Fezziwig, clapping his hands (aplaudir) to stop the dance, criedout, "Well done!" but thefiddler instantly began again.

There were more dances , and there was cake, and there was a great piece ofCold 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. Fezziwigshook 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 andwUh 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:!}7-17-.



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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 ushappy 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 ofhis lije. He was not alone, but sat by the side of afair (bella) young girl inwhoseeyes there were tears.

Narrator: But the relentless (implacable) Ghost forced him to observe whathappened next. They were inanother scene and place: a room, not very large orhandsome, butfull of comfort. Near the winter fire sat a beautijul young girl, solike 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 homebringing Christmas toys and presents. Oh the shouts ofwonder (asombro) anddelight with which each package was received! The evening passed. One byone, the children and their emotions got out of the parlour (sala de estar) andup 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) onhim. Scrooge s sight grew very dim indeed when he thought that such anothercreature, quite as graceful (llena de gracia) and asfull ofpromise, might havecalled him father and been a spring-time (alegra) in the haggard (triste/soli-tario) winter ofhis lije.

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Young Belle: Another idol has displaced me. I have seen your nobleraspirations fall off one by one, until the master-passion (pasin 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 thoughtof 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) totorture 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 acandle inside, 1could scarcelyhelp (evitar) seeinghim. Hispartner lies uponthe 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) intoa 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 (tnica)!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. Andnow two smaller Cratchits. boy and girl, came tearing in, screaming that out-side the baker s (panadera) they had smelt the goose (ganso). and known itfortheir 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 (fJbrother, 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 anironframe (armazn)! Martha ran into herfather s arms, while the two youngCratchits 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 p ico para e lp avo o e lganso del d a deNavidad.

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Bob Cratchit: As good as gold (como un ngel), and better. Somehow hegets thoughtful (quedarse pensativo), sitting by himself so much, and thinksthe strangest things you ever heard. He told me, coming home, that he hopedthe people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple (lisiado), and itmight be pleasant for them on Christmas Day to remember Him who madelame (cojo) beggars (mendigo) walk, and blind (ciegos) men see.

Ghost of Christmas Present: If these shadows remain unaltered by theFuture, 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 goosecooked. 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 sufficint for the whole fami/y. Every one had hadenough. 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 Christmasholly (acebo) stuck into the topo Oh, a wonderful pudding! Bob Cratchit saidthat he regarded it as the greatest success achieved byMrs. Cratchit since theirmarriage.

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'dgive 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 ofsuch an odious, stingy (tacao), hard, unfeeling (insensible/pococompasivo)man as Mr. Scrooge.Youknow he is, Robert! Nobody knows it better thanyou 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 verymerry 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 theOgre (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 . Afterthe shadow had passed away, they were ten times merrier than before.And now, without a word ofwarning (advertencia) from the Ghost, they stoodin 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 (vergenza) 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 ifhe 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).

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Vaughan Radio A Christmas Carol by CharlesDickensel 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 meso.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 (empearse) to dislike (detestar) us, and hewon'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 dohim no harm (mal). 1mean (tener la intencin) to give him the same chanceevery year, whether he likes it or not, for (porque) 1pity (dar lstima) him.

con especias), and 1say, 'Vnele Scrooge!' A Merry Christmas and a HappyNew Year to the old man, whatever he is! He wouldn't take it from me, butmay 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 alwayswith a happy end. The Spir it s tood beside sick (enfermos) beds , and they werecheerful (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 hisblessing, 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 wholeevening to music. After a while theyplayed a Game called Yesand No. Scrooge snephew had to think ofsomething, and the resthad todiscover what hewas think-ing of He answered onlyyes 01'no to their questions. The questions showed thatFred was thinking of an animal, a live animal, a rather (ciertamente, bastante)savage animal, an animal that growled (grui1: bramQ/~ and grunted (gruir)sometimes , and talked somet imes, and lived in London. The animal was not ahorse , 01'an ass (asno), 01'a cow, 01'a bull, 01'a tiger, 01'a dog, 01'apig, 01 'acat , 01 'a bear . At everyfresh (nueva) question that was put (formular) to him,the nephew burst into (desternillarse) afresh roar of laughter (risotada.s). Atlast Scrooge s niece cried out:

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

Narrator: From its robe (tnica), the Spir it brought two children, wretch-ed (desdichado::.) , abject (mseros), 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! 1know 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 thisboy, 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 cambiode trabajar)?

shadow of its dress, which carried him up and away. There they were, in theheart of the City amongst the merchants, who hurried up and down, and chinkedthe money in their pockets, and conversed ingroups, as Scrooge had seen themdo so often.

The Spirit stopped beside two business men. Observing that the hand waspointed 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 amist (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 otromodo). 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 nothappened, but will happen in the future. 1sthat so, Spirit?

Narrator: The Phantom glided on (deslizarse) into a street. ltsfinger pointedto two business men talking. Scrooge listened. He knew these men. They weremen ofbusiness, very wealthy (rico), and ofgreat importance.

Narrator: The upper part ofthe garment movedfor an instant, as if the Spirithad incl ined its head. That was the only answer he received. First Wealthy Businessman: Well! Old Scratch has got his own (recibir sumerecido) at last, hey?

Second Wealthy Businessman: So 1am toldo Cold, isn 't it?First Wealthy Businessman: Seasonable (propio para la poca del ao) forChristmas time. You're not a skater (patinador), 1 suppose?

Second Wealthy Businessman No. No. Something else to think of. Goodmorning!

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 adifferent man from what 1was, 1am prepared to keep you company, and do itwith 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, andtheir parting.

Narrator: The Phantom moved away (apartarse) . Scrooge followed in the-26- -27-



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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, abare (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 saythat he had been kind in this or that. A cat was tearing at (araar) the door,and there was a sound ofgnawing rats. What they wanted in the room of death,Scrooge did not dare (atreverse) to think.

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Scrooge: Spirit! This is a fearful (horrible) place. Let us golNarrator: 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 hewas nowhere to be seen. They entered poor Bob Cratchit s house, and found themother and the children seated round thefire.

Quiet. VeryquietoThe noisy little Cratchits were as still (quieto3~ as statues inone 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. 1promised him that 1would walk there on a Sunday. My lit tle, l it tle child! Mylittle child!

Narrator: They sat around thefire and talked. The girls and mother continuedsewing. 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-


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'and heartily sorry for your good wife. IfI can be of service to you in anyway,' he said, giving me his card, 'that's where I live. Pray (le ruego) come tome. ' It really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim, and felt with usoI amsure 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 notquarrel (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 haveshown me, by an altered life! I will honour Christmas in my heart, and tryto keep it all the year. I willlive in the Past, the Present, and the Future. TheSpiri ts of all Three shall live within me. I will not shut out (olvidar) the lessonthat 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 coursethey can. Hallo, my fine fellow!

Boy: Hallo!Scrooge: Do you know the butcher's, in the next street but one, at thecomer?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 givethem 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 andI'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 toone. 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 Threeshall 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 HappyNewYearto all the world. I don't knowwhat day ofthe month itis! I don't knowhow 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 thecoming 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 awonderful knocker!-Here's the Turkey! Hallo! Whoop! How are you! MerryChristmas! 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 madea 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 chairagain, 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 Ghostof Christmas Presento Scrooge regarded every one with a delighted smile. Helooked 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, "Scroogeand 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 mein, Fred?

Scrooge: My dear sir, how do you do? I hope you succeeded yesterday. Itwas 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 sayoScrooge: Don't say anything, please. Come and see me. Will you come andsee 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. Sodid everyone when they came. Wonderful party, wonderful games, won-der-fulhappiness!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 thinghe had set his heart upon (empearse positivamente). And he did it; yes, he did!The c/ock struck nine. No Bob. A quarter past. No Bob. He was eighteen and ahalf minutes late. Scrooge sat with his door wide open, that he might see himcome 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 (ajcmndose) with his peno

ti> Narrator: He went to church, and walked about the streets, and patted18 (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 raiseyour 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 assistyour 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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~~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 heha d no further encounters w ith the Sp irits, a nd it was always said of him that heknew how to c elebrate Christmas be tter than any man alive. May that be trulysaid o f al! of us! And so, as T iny Tim o bserved,

Tiny Tim: God bless Us, Every One!

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A Christmas Carol - Metodo Vaughan System