KINDNESS
is more than deeds.
It is an attitude,
an expression, a look, a touch.
It is anything that lifts another person.
Plato
“Walking in the Air”, performed by Libera (courtesy of Libera Official):
“A simple smile.
That’s the start of opening your heart
and being compassionate to others.”
The Dalai Lama
Courtesy of Beluga Lagoon Films:
The book reviewed today could be described as a work on kindness, the greatest of virtues, all others stem from there. Great writers were often helped by the kindness of others, and wrote about kindness as a deciding factor in achieving success in life. They are role models for all of us, don’t you agree?
CHARLES DICKENS
1812 – 1870
Courtesy of Charles Dickens:
It is acknowledged that Dickens was the greatest English writer, the most ingenious one, in a class of his own. His books seem not to have been plotted by the writer but traversed with his gift of observation and inspiration, as physically present and psychologically unfathomable as possible to engage his genius. He leads his reader down murky alleyways, misleading avenues, often strange and vivid, a world of dreamscape, so compelling that it isn’t easy to put it down.
Below is a medley of the carol Silent Night sung by Tiny Tim, the prisoners, the sailors on a hurricane-tossed ship, and as the last unmissable clip, a beautiful voice of a tenor, the Spirit on the hill.
A Christmas Carol
You know the story of this quintessential Christmas tale, but have you ever read it? So many times has the tale been told – in numerous stage and screen adaptations – that we are apt to think that we know the story very well indeed. Yet, no retelling comes close to capturing the humour, human sympathy, and kindness, the delicious spookiness, and ultimate good cheer of Dickens’s original narrative.
Courtesy of CBS Sunday Morning:
In less than a hundred pages, A Christmas Carol relates, with an imaginative richness that belies its brevity, how the crabbed soul of an uncaring old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, is summoned back to generous life by the visitation of four spirits: first the shade of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, and then the spirits of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come.
A compilation of interesting clips from the film with Patrick Stewart as Ebenezer Scrooge.
The Ghost of Christmas Present
“King of the Cold” by Beluga Lagoon:
Through their hauntings, Scrooge is moved by fear and understanding to embrace the abandoned affections of his youth, confront the meanness of his current existence, and recognise the sordid end he will meet if he does not change his ways.
“Gabriel’s Message”, performed by Sheku Kanneh-Mason:
All of the author’s famous gifts are on display in this cheering fable of a miser’s Christmas Eve metamorphosis from misanthrope to a man of goodwill, including his talent for deft characterisation, for poignant sentiment, and for indigenous monikers; was ever any curmudgeon more aptly named than Ebenezer Scrooge? A Christmas Carol is my much-loved book and every Christmas I read the story and watch the film adaptation with Patrick Stewart as Scrooge, and cry my eyes out, moved by kindness the greatest virtue of all.
“The Pembroke Carol”, performed by The Choirs of Pembroke College, Cambridge:
The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come
An extract from A Christmas Carol:
“A churchyard. Here, then the wretched man, whose name he had now to learn, lay underneath the ground. It was a worthy place. Walled in by houses; overrun by grass and weeds, the growth of vegetation’s death, not life; choked up by with too much burying.
The Spirit stood among the graves, and pointed down to One. He advanced towards it trembling. The Phantom was exactly as it has been, but he dreaded that he saw new meaning in its solemn shape.
‘Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point,’ said Scrooge, ‘answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of the things that May be only?’
Still, the Ghost pointed to the grave by which it stood.
‘Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead,’ said Scrooge. ‘But if the courses be departed from, the end will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!’
The Spirit was immovable as ever.
Scrooge crept towards it, trembling as he went; and, following the finger, read upon the stone of the neglected grave his own name, EBENEZER SCROOGE.
‘Am I that man who lay upon the bed?’ he cried upon his knees.
The finger pointed from the grave to him, and back again.
‘No, Spirit! Oh no, no!’
The finger still was there.
‘Spirit!’ he cried, tight clutching at his robe, ‘hear me! I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse. Why show me this, if I am past all hope?’
For the first time, the hand appeared to shake.
‘Good Spirit,’ he pursued, as down upon the ground he fell before it, ‘your nature intercedes for me, and pities me. Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me by an altered life?’
The kind hand trembled.
‘I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!’
In his agony he caught the spectral hand. It sought to free itself, but he was strong in his entreaty, and detained it. The Spirit stronger yet, repulsed him. Holding up his hands in a last prayer to have his fate reversed, he saw an alteration in the Phantom’s hood and dress. It shrunk, collapsed, and dwindled down into a bedpost.
Yes! and the bedpost was his own. The bed was his own, the room was his own. Best and happiest of all, the Time before him was his own, to make amends in!”
A typical Christmas feast in England,
in many homes now vegetarian by sparing the turkey
“The Huron Carol”, performed by The Choirs of Pembroke College, Cambridge (courtesy of Anna Lapwood):
naturetails 
Thank you again, dear Luisa!
Joanna xx
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A Christmas Carol proves that great things sometimes come in small sizes. The Old Man And The Sea is another short book that is great.
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Brilliant music, a wonderful video of those magical creatures – birds, an ageless tale and a quote from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A timely post, Joanna. Thank you.
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Charles Dickens!.Surely one of the great ones!.Beautiful post! Thanks Joanna!
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I have always loved “A Christmas Carol” and have watched countless versions of the story during the holidays over the years. Thanks for a great post!
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Thank you, Neil, for your spot-on comments, which are very much appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you so much, dear Carolyn, for your wonderfully wise comments, which are very much appreciated!
Joanna x
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Dear Joanna, 🙏🙏🙏🙏
The way you have presented Kindness as the supreme virtue of human life and connected it with Charles Dickens’ immortal work A Christmas Carol is truly remarkable.
Kindness is not merely a behavior; it is the purity of the soul and the eternal music of life. Just as Dickens depicts transformation in his story, kindness too has the power to turn the hardest of hearts into compassion and light.
Kindness does not wait for an occasion—it is the inner flame of the heart that can illuminate even the darkest shadows. The transformation of Scrooge in Dickens’ tale is, in fact, the journey of every human soul—from ignorance to wisdom, from selfishness to compassion, and from the fear of death to immortality.
Your article is not just a literary interpretation but a mirror that connects the soul to the eternal truth of kindness. From Plato and the Dalai Lama to Dickens’ timeless creation, the way you have established kindness as the essence of life is deeply inspiring.
A human being is truly complete only when compassion, love, and kindness flow within. Heartfelt thanks for this precious piece of writing. 🌹
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Thank you, dear Vijay, for your wonderful comments that lifted my spirit! Your kind words are greatly appreciated because they pinpoint all the important aspects of the book that I love and will always remember its message of being kind to others every day, and not just on special occasions. Altruism should be the inner flame that is imprinted on our souls. Thank you again, Vijay Ji!
Joanna
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A Christmas Carol never gets old, no matter how many versions I see, the original always hits different. But I love how you tied it back to kindness being the root of everything good.
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Thank you so much, Ritish, for your wonderful comments, which illuminate the virtue of kindness as a guiding light in life.
Joanna
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👌
Sending a big hug 🤗
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🙏😘🙏
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Dear Joanna, I had come across this wonderful post earlier too, on Christmas Eve, but much has happened since then. In the meantime, I read “A Christmas Carol” and was truly moved by this beautiful story of Scrooge—a wealthy, miserly man who valued money over people and despised Christmas. Yet, after being visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve, he was transformed into a generous soul, carrying a timeless message of redemption, kindness and charity.
Like you, this novella has now become one of my favourites. True compassion and kindness must come from within, and Scrooge’s journey reminds us of the long path from “human being” to “being human”. His transformation continues to inspire humanity to strive for that change.
It’s always a joy to revisit Dickens and his work through your writing, especially with the thoughtful way you began this post, weaving in quotes from Plato and the Dalai Lama. I also appreciated your reflections on Dickens’s own life. His difficult childhood and early struggles, I had first glimpsed when reading Oliver Twist during my school days as a part of curriculum.
Your careful use of images, audios, and videos adds so much depth, making the post not just informative but also delightful to read. Thank you, Joanna, for presenting Dickens and his timeless message with such insight and creativity.
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Thank you, dear Kaushal, for your wonderfully analytical comments, and as usual, you add a new dimension to my writing. I am very happy that you read this special book because it is one of my very favourite, and I do my best to live by its message every day. Thank you, Kaushal, again for your kind words, which are deeply appreciated.
Joanna
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Thank you, dear Luisa, and a big hug to you!
Joanna x
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It’s truly my pleasure, Joanna. I’m grateful to you for recommending such great books to read and assimilate. You’re welcome, always!
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Thank you, Kaushal, you are kindness personified!
Joanna
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🙏🌹🙏
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Delightful share, Joanna. God bless us, everyone.🙏🙏🙏
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Thank you, dear Pat, for the wonderful words, which are deeply appreciated! There is a reason why my wishes are so early before Christmas, but I will explain later rather than now.
Joanna x
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Will await them with alacrity, Joanna.
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All in time, Pat, as all comes to those who wait!
Joanna
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Never any doubt, Joanna. 😇🤓💯
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Do you know who wrote this mantra?
Joanna
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Which mantra, never any doubt?
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No, all comes to those who wait, Pat.
Joanna
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AI suggested a female Victorian poet. On my cellphone so I can’t copy the name. Lady Mary something as I vaguely remember.
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Yes, Curry, as always, you know everything, Pat!
Joanna
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He wrote some of our best stories! 🤗💌😊
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True, Ashley, he was and is the greatest writer in the English language.
Joanna
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As s librarian, I know how to look many things up. My nowledge doesn’t begin to match yours.
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Honestly, dear Pat, you are kindness personified!
Joanna
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And you are a genius, Joanna. 🤓💯
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Honestly, dear Pat, I will be flying any moment now!
Joanna
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Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post of Dickens who truly was a master of the written word, Joanna! He would be so honored by your post as are we! Wonderful job as always and love the songs and stories! 💓
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Thank you so much, dear Cindy, for your wonderful comments, which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna x
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You’re so very welcome, always, Joanna!
💓
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Thank you so much, Cindy!
Joanna
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The way you have presented the life of Charles Dickens and his immortal works is genuinely extraordinary, Joanna. “Christmas Carol” is truly remarkable. You have potrayed kindness not only as a behaviour but as the the most valuable virtue in life which can transform the hardest of hearts into most compassionate ones. This transformation is depicted in Charles Dickens works. Also your insertion of the quotes of Plato & Dalai Lama bestow genuine meaning & relevance to your enriching post punctuated with heart warming songs & orchestras as usual. I really relished going through the precious post, Joanna.Namaste.
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Thank you so much, Dhirendra, for the wonderfully analytical comments, which I deeply appreciate! I will cherish your kind words! Namaste.
Joanna
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My pleasure, Joanna 🙏
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What a beautiful tribute to kindness and to Dickens. I loved how you conveyed the transformative power of A Christmas Carol.
Warm regards and have a wonderful day, dear Joanna. 🤗👏🍁
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Thank you so much, Lincol, for your wonderful comments, which are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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