| A Christmas Carol Play
Act Eight | 
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A Christmas Carol Play Act Eight
Written by: Walter Ben Hare
Adapted from the famous story of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens ACT EIGHT Scrooge. Spirit, tell me if Tiny Tim will live.
Second Spirit. I see a vacant seat in the poor chimney-corner, and a little crutch without
an owner. If these shadows remained unaltered by the future, the child will die.
Scrooge. No, no, kind Spirit! Say he will be spared.
Second Spirit. If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus
population. Your very words, Scrooge. Decrease the surplus population. (Scrooge hangs his
head in shame.) Man, if man you be in heart, forbear that wicked cant. Will you decide what
men shall live, and what men shall die? It may be that in the sight of Heaven you are more
worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man's child.
Scrooge. Forgive me, forgive me.
Second Spirit. You have seen the spirit of Christmas bless this poor dwelling. They were not
a handsome family, they were not well dressed; their clothes were scanty and their shoes far
from being water-proof—but they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and
contented with the Christmas time. They are my children. Have you learned your lesson?
(Chimes ring.) My hour is spent.
Scrooge. I have learned the lesson, Spirit of Christmas. I have seen happiness, in spite of
poverty. A happiness that all my gold cannot buy. I have seen the Christmas spirit. Forgive
me that I ever dared to utter a word against Christmas. Forgive me! Forgive me! (The chimes
continue ringing, the Spirit glides out. Scrooge kneels in prayer, muttering, "Forgive me!
Forgive me!")
Curtain.
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