| Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas | |
|---|---|
VHS front cover |
|
| Directed by |
|
| Screenplay by |
|
| Produced by | Jim Ballantine |
| Starring |
|
| Narrated by | Kelsey Grammer |
| Edited by | Elen Orson |
| Music by | J. Eric Schmidt |
|
Production |
Walt Disney Television Animation[1][2] |
| Distributed by | Walt Disney Home Video |
|
Release date |
|
|
Running time |
66 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas is a 1999 American animated Christmas anthology comedy fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Television Animation.[1]
The film includes three features: Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas (featuring Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Scrooge McDuck and Huey, Dewey, and Louie), A Very Goofy Christmas (featuring Goofy, Max, Pete and the Beagle Boys) and Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi (featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Pluto).[3] Other Disney characters also make cameos in the film.
The film won the Award for Best Animated Feature Film at the 5th Kecskemét Animation Film Festival in 1999.[4] A sequel, titled Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas, was released in 2004. Unlike Once Upon a Christmas, the sequel is a computer-generated film rather than a hand-drawn and has five segments.[3]
Stories[edit]
Donald Duck: Stuck On Christmas[edit]
Inspired by the 1892 short story «Christmas Every Day» by William Dean Howells. Huey, Dewey and Louie wake up one Christmas morning and then go downstairs to open their presents, even though they are supposed to wait for Daisy, Uncle Scrooge and Aunt Gertie to arrive. The boys then take their new sleds from Uncle Donald (not reading the included card) and go sledding before having Christmas dinner, where Donald yells at them to learn some manners. While Donald, Daisy, Uncle Scrooge and Aunt Gertie sing carols, the boys play with their new toys.
Later, it is time to go to bed and having enjoyed the day immensely, the boys wish for it to be Christmas every day. Their wish is granted and at first they are joyful. After a few days however, they begin to get tired of Christmas and realize that every day will be exactly the same. They decide to change the course of action of the next day by playing tricks and pranks, including swapping the cooked turkey with a live one at dinner. It turns out to be a terrible Christmas for everyone, especially Donald.
Shortly after, the boys read the card that was given to them earlier by Donald and Daisy. The card wishes them love and explains that Christmas is not just about presents, it is also about being with family. The boys feel guilty and decide to make amends by making the next day the best Christmas ever. As the boys spread love and cheer by giving Aunt Gertie kisses and helping Daisy with dinner, Donald becomes suspicious. Whilst singing carols, Donald confronts the boys, demanding to know what they are up to. An outraged Daisy snaps at Donald, accusing him of spoiling a perfect Christmas. Huey, however, admits that Donald was right and that he and his brothers forgot something. Huey, Dewey and Louie pull out their gift for Uncle Donald — a sail boat made out of their sleds. Genuinely surprised, embarrassed & touched, Donald thanks his nephews with a warm hug. At the end of the next day, the boys finally realize the true meaning of Christmas and the time loop ends, leading into the day after Christmas.
A Very Goofy Christmas[edit]
Goofy and Max are mailing a letter to Santa Claus. However, as soon as they get home, their neighbor Pete tells Max that Santa does not exist, saying it is impossible for him to fly around the world in one night. Things get worse when Goofy poses as Santa for some kids and Max finds out that he tricked him. Goofy is determined to prove to Max that Santa does exist and stays up all Christmas Eve to keep an eye out for him while Max, still bitter, just wants to move on. After mistaking a Beagle Boy (who was robbing Pete’s house) for Santa, Goofy eventually gives up hope of Santa coming. Max then does everything that Goofy did, to try and make him happy, including posing as (a very small) Santa himself. In the end, the real Santa actually comes and gives Max the gift he had asked for earlier (as well as burying Pete’s house next door in snow). When Max asks Goofy if Santa forgot his present, Goofy answers that every year he asks for the same thing and he always gets it — Max’s happiness.
This segment of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas chronologically precedes the cartoon series, Goof Troop and its film A Goofy Movie. Max is voiced by Shaun Fleming.
Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi[edit]
Based on the 1905 short story «The Gift of the Magi» by O. Henry. Mickey wants to get Minnie a gold chain for her one heirloom, her watch, so he works at Crazy Pete’s Tree Lot. Minnie wants to give Mickey something special for Christmas as well, so she works hard at her job in a department store to get a bonus to buy a present with. When Mickey offers a small tree to a poor family who cannot afford to buy a special 10-footer tree, his greedy supervisor Pete steals Mickey’s money and dismisses him. Pete inadvertently puts his lit cigar into his pocket with Mickey’s money without noticing, which triggers a sequence that ends up setting himself, the money and his trees – including the 10-footers – on fire, much to Pete’s dismay. Meanwhile, Minnie’s bonus from her stingy boss Mortimer Mouse proves to be nothing but a fruit cake. After playing music for a toy drive with the Firehouse Five, Mickey has the idea that he can trade his harmonica for the gold chain. The shop is closing when he gets there and the owner who is just leaving isn’t interested in the harmonica, but changes his mind after hearing Mickey play it. Back at Minnie’s house, Mickey gives her the chain for her watch, which she no longer has and Minnie gives him a case for his harmonica, which he also no longer has. However, Mickey and Minnie get emotional seeing how far they went to profess their love and they are still able to celebrate a happy Christmas. As in The Gift of the Magi original story, the thought behind each gift is what counts.[5]
Finale[edit]
The film concludes with a medley of various songs, «Jingle Bells», «Deck the Halls» and «We Wish You a Merry Christmas», featuring the main characters from the three segments.
Cast[edit]
- Wayne Allwine as Mickey Mouse
- Russi Taylor as Minnie Mouse, Huey Duck, Dewey Duck and Louie Duck
- Tony Anselmo as Donald Duck
- Diane Michelle as Daisy Duck (The Gift of the Magi)
- Tress MacNeille as Daisy Duck (Stuck on Christmas, singing voice in the finale), Chip and Aunt Gertie
- Alan Young as Scrooge McDuck
- Bill Farmer as Goofy, Pluto
- Corey Burton as Dale
- Shaun Fleming as Max Goof
- Jim Cummings as Pete, Police, Mailman, Fire Chief, Dad, onlooker, shop owner, and Santa Claus
- Jeff Bennett as Dad Firefighter #2, Mortimer Mouse, Store Announcer, Man and Costumer
- Gregg Berger as Mr Anderson, and Shopper
- Kylie Dempsey as Kid #2, and Little Girl
- Taylor Dempsey as Little Jimmy, and Kid #1
- Andrew McDonaugh as Boy
- Pat Musick as Distressed Woman, Angry Woman, Eccentric Lady, Shopper and Mrs Anderson
- Frank Welker as Turkey and Figaro
- Mae Whitman as Girl
- April Winchell as Mom, Old Woman, Firewoman, and Firefighter #1
- Kelsey Grammer as the Narrator
- Tommy Morgan provides Mickey’s harmonica solos
Home media[edit]
The film was originally released on VHS and DVD on November 9, 1999.[3] It was later re-released on VHS and on DVD (as part of the Walt Disney Gold Classic Collection) on November 7, 2000. Coinciding with its 15th anniversary, the film was released in a 2-Movie Collection Blu-ray and DVD with Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas on November 4, 2014.
Reception[edit]
The film holds a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 5 reviews, with an average rating of 5.6/10.[6] Common Sense Media rated the movie a 3/5.
See also[edit]
- List of Christmas films
References[edit]
- ^ a b Littleton, Cynthia (April 23, 1999). «Gurney, Price earn Disney promotions». Variety. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
- ^ «28th Annie Awards». annieawards.org. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ a b c Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. pp. 193–194. ISBN 9781476672939.
- ^ «Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas». Disney Movies. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ^ «Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)». Blockbuster Online. Blockbuster LLC. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
- ^ «Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas». Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
External links[edit]
- Official website
- Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas at IMDb
| Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas | |
|---|---|
|
VHS front cover |
|
| Directed by |
|
| Screenplay by |
|
| Produced by | Jim Ballantine |
| Starring |
|
| Narrated by | Kelsey Grammer |
| Edited by | Elen Orson |
| Music by | J. Eric Schmidt |
|
Production |
Walt Disney Television Animation[1][2] |
| Distributed by | Walt Disney Home Video |
|
Release date |
|
|
Running time |
66 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas is a 1999 American animated Christmas anthology comedy fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Television Animation.[1]
The film includes three features: Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas (featuring Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Scrooge McDuck and Huey, Dewey, and Louie), A Very Goofy Christmas (featuring Goofy, Max, Pete and the Beagle Boys) and Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi (featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Pluto).[3] Other Disney characters also make cameos in the film.
The film won the Award for Best Animated Feature Film at the 5th Kecskemét Animation Film Festival in 1999.[4] A sequel, titled Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas, was released in 2004. Unlike Once Upon a Christmas, the sequel is a computer-generated film rather than a hand-drawn and has five segments.[3]
Stories[edit]
Donald Duck: Stuck On Christmas[edit]
Inspired by the 1892 short story «Christmas Every Day» by William Dean Howells. Huey, Dewey and Louie wake up one Christmas morning and then go downstairs to open their presents, even though they are supposed to wait for Daisy, Uncle Scrooge and Aunt Gertie to arrive. The boys then take their new sleds from Uncle Donald (not reading the included card) and go sledding before having Christmas dinner, where Donald yells at them to learn some manners. While Donald, Daisy, Uncle Scrooge and Aunt Gertie sing carols, the boys play with their new toys.
Later, it is time to go to bed and having enjoyed the day immensely, the boys wish for it to be Christmas every day. Their wish is granted and at first they are joyful. After a few days however, they begin to get tired of Christmas and realize that every day will be exactly the same. They decide to change the course of action of the next day by playing tricks and pranks, including swapping the cooked turkey with a live one at dinner. It turns out to be a terrible Christmas for everyone, especially Donald.
Shortly after, the boys read the card that was given to them earlier by Donald and Daisy. The card wishes them love and explains that Christmas is not just about presents, it is also about being with family. The boys feel guilty and decide to make amends by making the next day the best Christmas ever. As the boys spread love and cheer by giving Aunt Gertie kisses and helping Daisy with dinner, Donald becomes suspicious. Whilst singing carols, Donald confronts the boys, demanding to know what they are up to. An outraged Daisy snaps at Donald, accusing him of spoiling a perfect Christmas. Huey, however, admits that Donald was right and that he and his brothers forgot something. Huey, Dewey and Louie pull out their gift for Uncle Donald — a sail boat made out of their sleds. Genuinely surprised, embarrassed & touched, Donald thanks his nephews with a warm hug. At the end of the next day, the boys finally realize the true meaning of Christmas and the time loop ends, leading into the day after Christmas.
A Very Goofy Christmas[edit]
Goofy and Max are mailing a letter to Santa Claus. However, as soon as they get home, their neighbor Pete tells Max that Santa does not exist, saying it is impossible for him to fly around the world in one night. Things get worse when Goofy poses as Santa for some kids and Max finds out that he tricked him. Goofy is determined to prove to Max that Santa does exist and stays up all Christmas Eve to keep an eye out for him while Max, still bitter, just wants to move on. After mistaking a Beagle Boy (who was robbing Pete’s house) for Santa, Goofy eventually gives up hope of Santa coming. Max then does everything that Goofy did, to try and make him happy, including posing as (a very small) Santa himself. In the end, the real Santa actually comes and gives Max the gift he had asked for earlier (as well as burying Pete’s house next door in snow). When Max asks Goofy if Santa forgot his present, Goofy answers that every year he asks for the same thing and he always gets it — Max’s happiness.
This segment of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas chronologically precedes the cartoon series, Goof Troop and its film A Goofy Movie. Max is voiced by Shaun Fleming.
Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi[edit]
Based on the 1905 short story «The Gift of the Magi» by O. Henry. Mickey wants to get Minnie a gold chain for her one heirloom, her watch, so he works at Crazy Pete’s Tree Lot. Minnie wants to give Mickey something special for Christmas as well, so she works hard at her job in a department store to get a bonus to buy a present with. When Mickey offers a small tree to a poor family who cannot afford to buy a special 10-footer tree, his greedy supervisor Pete steals Mickey’s money and dismisses him. Pete inadvertently puts his lit cigar into his pocket with Mickey’s money without noticing, which triggers a sequence that ends up setting himself, the money and his trees – including the 10-footers – on fire, much to Pete’s dismay. Meanwhile, Minnie’s bonus from her stingy boss Mortimer Mouse proves to be nothing but a fruit cake. After playing music for a toy drive with the Firehouse Five, Mickey has the idea that he can trade his harmonica for the gold chain. The shop is closing when he gets there and the owner who is just leaving isn’t interested in the harmonica, but changes his mind after hearing Mickey play it. Back at Minnie’s house, Mickey gives her the chain for her watch, which she no longer has and Minnie gives him a case for his harmonica, which he also no longer has. However, Mickey and Minnie get emotional seeing how far they went to profess their love and they are still able to celebrate a happy Christmas. As in The Gift of the Magi original story, the thought behind each gift is what counts.[5]
Finale[edit]
The film concludes with a medley of various songs, «Jingle Bells», «Deck the Halls» and «We Wish You a Merry Christmas», featuring the main characters from the three segments.
Cast[edit]
- Wayne Allwine as Mickey Mouse
- Russi Taylor as Minnie Mouse, Huey Duck, Dewey Duck and Louie Duck
- Tony Anselmo as Donald Duck
- Diane Michelle as Daisy Duck (The Gift of the Magi)
- Tress MacNeille as Daisy Duck (Stuck on Christmas, singing voice in the finale), Chip and Aunt Gertie
- Alan Young as Scrooge McDuck
- Bill Farmer as Goofy, Pluto
- Corey Burton as Dale
- Shaun Fleming as Max Goof
- Jim Cummings as Pete, Police, Mailman, Fire Chief, Dad, onlooker, shop owner, and Santa Claus
- Jeff Bennett as Dad Firefighter #2, Mortimer Mouse, Store Announcer, Man and Costumer
- Gregg Berger as Mr Anderson, and Shopper
- Kylie Dempsey as Kid #2, and Little Girl
- Taylor Dempsey as Little Jimmy, and Kid #1
- Andrew McDonaugh as Boy
- Pat Musick as Distressed Woman, Angry Woman, Eccentric Lady, Shopper and Mrs Anderson
- Frank Welker as Turkey and Figaro
- Mae Whitman as Girl
- April Winchell as Mom, Old Woman, Firewoman, and Firefighter #1
- Kelsey Grammer as the Narrator
- Tommy Morgan provides Mickey’s harmonica solos
Home media[edit]
The film was originally released on VHS and DVD on November 9, 1999.[3] It was later re-released on VHS and on DVD (as part of the Walt Disney Gold Classic Collection) on November 7, 2000. Coinciding with its 15th anniversary, the film was released in a 2-Movie Collection Blu-ray and DVD with Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas on November 4, 2014.
Reception[edit]
The film holds a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 5 reviews, with an average rating of 5.6/10.[6] Common Sense Media rated the movie a 3/5.
See also[edit]
- List of Christmas films
References[edit]
- ^ a b Littleton, Cynthia (April 23, 1999). «Gurney, Price earn Disney promotions». Variety. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
- ^ «28th Annie Awards». annieawards.org. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ a b c Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. pp. 193–194. ISBN 9781476672939.
- ^ «Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas». Disney Movies. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ^ «Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)». Blockbuster Online. Blockbuster LLC. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
- ^ «Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas». Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
External links[edit]
- Official website
- Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas at IMDb
Микки Маус. Рождественская история Микки
В сочельник в Лондоне шёл снег. Эбенезер Скрудж, богатейший ростовщик в городе, торопился в контору.
— С Рождеством вас всех! — прокричал какой-то бедняк.
— Что за вздор! — пробормотал Скрудж себе под нос. Он никогда не понимал, почему в Рождество все такие радостные.
На пороге конторы он посмотрел на заснеженную вывеску. Она гласила: «СКРУДЖ И МАРЛИ». Второе имя было зачёркнуто. Марли уже семь лет как умер.
Скрудж и Джейкоб Марли обманом вынуждали небогатых горожан отдавать им все свои деньги. Компаньонам удалось невиданно разбогатеть, и их совсем не волновало, что поступают они нечестно. Вспомнив о нажитых богатствах, Скрудж довольно загоготал.
Когда он повернул ручку двери и вошёл внутрь, Боб Крэтчит, конторский служащий, возился у остывшей печки.
— Негодник! Зачем уголёк взял? — проворчал старик.
— Просто… просто чернила замёрзли, — трясясь от холода, ответил Боб. Он слабо улыбнулся.
Скрудж взмахнул тростью и выбил уголёк из его руки.
— Да? Ты на той неделе сжёг кусок! А ну, быстро за работу, негодник! — приказал он, нахмурившись.
Боб вернулся к своему столу и схватился за перо.
Спустя мгновение он украдкой глянул на начальника:
— К слову о работе, мистер Скрудж… Завтра Рождество. И я тут подумал… Можно мне будет взять выходной?
Старик долго молчал.
— Ладно, — наконец произнёс он. — Только на следующий день придёшь пораньше!
Скрудж повесил пальто и шляпу, сел за большой стол и принялся считать золотые монеты.
— Так-так-так… Деньги, деньжата, денежки! Мои, мои, мои!
Внезапно распахнулась дверь, и на пороге появился юноша с праздничным венком.
— С Рождеством! — крякнул он.
Это был Фред, племянник Скруджа.
— Рождество? — презрительно фыркнул ростовщик. — Что за вздор!
Фред подошёл к столу и протянул рождественский венок дяде. Ему казалось, что контору не помешает украсить к празднику.
— Дядюшка, я пришёл пригласить тебя на рождественский обед, — улыбаясь до ушей, проговорил племянник.
— Вот как? — Скрудж встал из-за стола. — А будет ли там сливовый пудинг с сахарными пирожными и жирненький жареный гусь?
— Конечно! — кивнул племянник и облизнулся.
— Совсем спятил! Мне всё это нельзя! На свой венок! И прочь! — старик нахлобучил венок ему на шею и выставил на мороз.
Но не успел Скрудж вернуться за стол, как колокольчик над дверью зазвенел.
Это снова был Фред. Он молча повесил венок с внутренней стороны и закрыл дверь.
Поздно вечером, когда старик брёл из конторы домой, у него возникло странное чувство — как будто кто-то за ним следил.
Уже на пороге ростовщик посмотрел на дверной молоток в форме львиной головы. Вдруг прямо на глазах тот зашевелился. Очертания львиной морды изменились, и вот Скрудж уже смотрел в лицо бывшего компаньона — Джейкоба Марли!
— А-а-а! — завопил старик.
Заскочив в дом, он бросился в спальню, закрыл за собой дверь и уселся на стул. Послышался звон цепей. Скрудж вздрогнул, боясь сдвинуться с места.
И вдруг перед ним возникло синее приведение! Это был Джейкоб Марли, закованный в тяжёлые цепи.
— Эбене-е-езер, — завыл призрак, гремя кандалами. — Ты знаешь, кто я такой?
Ростовщик, трясясь, глянул на него из-под цилиндра.
— Помнишь, когда я был жив, я обирал вдов и обдирал бедняков? — продолжал призрак.
— Ты был хорошим компаньоном, Джейкоб, — принуждённо улыбаясь, ответил Скрудж.
— Нет! — воскликнул тот. — Я был неправ. И вот в наказание я буду таскать эти тяжёлые кандалы целую вечность! И то же произойдёт с тобой. Тебе сегодня явятся три призрака. Слушай их, делай, что велят — или носить тебе оковы!
После этих слов дух Джейкоба исчез.
Готовясь ко сну, Скрудж всё ещё трясся от страха. Он тщательно проверил, нет ли в комнате других приведений, и наконец залез под одеяло.
— Бред, — проворчал он и заснул.
Но скоро его разбудил звон колокольчика. Динь-динь-динь! Это звенел будильник. Старик открыл глаза и увидел, что на тумбочке рядом с кроватью сидит крошечный сверчок в цилиндре и фраке.
— Я Дух Прошлого Рождества, — представился маленький гость. — Сегодня мы посетим твоё прошлое.
Он распахнул окно, и в комнате закружились снежинки.
— А ты держись, — предупредил сверчок и запрыгнул Скруджу на ладонь.
Старик послушался. Дух раскрыл зонтик, и вместе они вылетели в темноту.
Они парили над заснеженными крышами. Внизу медленно проплывал спящий город.
Первым делом Скрудж и Дух Прошлого Рождества приземлились у маленького магазинчика. Внутри царица праздничная атмосфера и звучала музыка.
— Здесь жил Феззинг! — воскликнул Скрудж. — Я работал у этого добряка.
В комнате смеялся его старый начальник и веселились забытые друзья.
Среди них ростовщик заметил Изабель — девушку, которую когда-то любил. Она танцевала с весёлым юношей. Это был он сам, Эбенезер Скрудж, — до того, как стал жадным и скупым.
Словно прочитав мысли старика, Дух Прошлого Рождества произнёс:
— Но твоя любовь к деньгам была ещё сильней.
Потом он показал Скруджу ещё одну сцену.
Минуло десять дет, Изабель пришла в контору своего возлюбленного.
— Эбенезер, — с нежностью начала девушка. Она мечтала о женитьбе. — Я должна знать, ты принял решение?
— Да, — рявкнул молодой Скрудж, считая монеты. — Прошлый взнос за дом был сделан позже. Я закрываю кредит!
Изабель ушла вся в слезах.
Наблюдая за этим со стороны, старик покачал головой.
— Подумай, Скрудж, — сказал Дух Прошлого Рождества. — Виновник этих воспоминаний — ты сам.
Спустя мгновение ростовщик снова очутился в постели. И тут раздался громкий голос:
— Я Дух Нынешнего Рождества.
Скрудж поднял взгляд и увидел великана. Тот схватил его за ворот пижамы и вытащил на улицу, в ночь. Они пришли к невзрачному домишке на окраине города. Через окно старик увидел своего работника, Боба Крэтчита. Тот встречал Рождество в кругу семьи.
На столе было блюдо с маленькой жареной птицей — Скрудж таких крошечных никогда не видел.
— Это что, канарейка? — прошептал он. — Наверняка у них больше еды.
Затем в комнату, прихрамывая и опираясь на костыль, вошёл мальчик. Его звали Малютка Тим.
Ребёнок посмотрел на скромное блюдо, улыбнулся и воскликнул:
— Спасибо мистеру Скруджу!
Старик хотел спросить, что с этим малюткой, но Дух Нынешнего Рождества исчез. Скрудж оказался на пустынном кладбище. И спустя мгновение перед ним встала фигура в тёмном плаще.
— Ты, должно быть, Дух будущих Святок? — догадался ростовщик.
Фигура молча указала на маленькое надгробие.
Над ним склонилось семейство Крэтчитов. Малютки Тима среди них не было.
Затем дух привлёк внимание старика к двум могильщикам. Они рыли свежую яму.
— А чья эта одинокая могила? — спросил Скрудж.
И в ужасе понял, что его собственная.
— Я изменюсь! — закричал он. — Дайте мне шанс!
И тут он снова оказался у себя в постели. Вскочив, он отдёрнул шторы и выглянул в окно. Светило яркое солнце. Улицы лежали в снегу. Звенели рождественские колокольчики.
— Рождественское утро! — взмолился Скрудж. — Духи подарили мне ещё один шанс!
Он надел цилиндр, накинул пальто и выбежал на улицу.
— С Рождеством! — приветствовал он каждого встречного.
По дороге старик столкнулся с племянником.
— Я только и думаю, что о сегодняшнем ужине! — крикнул он Фреду, пробегая мимо.
А потом Боб Крэтчит услышал громкий стук в дверь своего домика. Он отворил её и увидел на пороге мистера Скруджа. За плечами у него был огромный мешок.
Нежданный гость опустил его на пол, и оттуда высыпались десятки игрушек. Дети вприпрыжку бросились к ним.
Глядя на это, старик улыбнулся.
— Боб Крэтчит, — торжественно объявил он, — ты повышен по службе! Теперь мы компаньоны!
А миссис Крэтчит он вручил огромную жареную индейку.
— С Рождеством! — счастливо проговорил Скрудж.
— С Рождеством нас всех, — сказал Малютка Тим.