Words alive

It was at this time that I heard the now celebrated Mr Dickens read aloud from his story. He insisted that I come along and listen to the words that I had helped inspire.

And it was a delight, I must say. The love of humanity that comes through his words could move you to tears, were you even made of stone. His great theme is that anyone, however wretched, can redeem themselves if they remember to be properly generous to their fellow man. At least, that is the song his story sings to me.

It is to his credit that he shows an understanding of how a hard life may harden a heart. But in Ebenezer Scrooge, he allows the magnificent possibility that everyone can change for the better.

Well, after he had finished his reading, there was silence in the room. And then the most uproarious applause - and not a little dabbing of the eyes with handkerchiefs. I realised then that while I had learned much from him at our first meeting, he in turn had learned my message well.

How I would have loved to have stayed and talked again with him, but alas, that is not how my own story goes. And from his reading I had learned everything I needed to create a glorious Christmas spirit that year!



Story begins here