Dickens describes Scrooge thus early in the story: “The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice.” Towards the end of the novella, the three spirits show Scrooge the errors of his ways, and he becomes a better, more generous man.
Scrooge’s last name has entered the English language as a byword for greed and misanthropy, while his catchphrase, “Bah! Humbug!” is often used to express disgust with many modern Christmas traditions.
And our Tale Today? Just read and see-
In the glittering twilight of a December eve, nestled within a skyscraper penthouse in NYC adorned with enough gold to blind a reindeer, Donald J. Trump lay snoring like a dissatisfied dragon or a monstrous whale. Suddenly, a frosty chill swept through the room, swirling the drapes into ghostly tendrils. Three ethereal figures materialized beside the sleeping mogul, their eyes shimmering like winter stars.
And soon, some pee would be released by him into and on his bedsheets because he gonna be scared poop-less. His visitors are the scary kind of sorts. And here they come-
These were no ordinary night terrors. They were the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, come to offer Mr. Trump a glimpse of his life’s projected trajectory and a chance to rewrite his own Carol.
Past, a wisp of a woman with eyes like faded photographs, led Trump through searing memories. Together, they relived the haunting sting of alienated allies, the hollow echoes of his own name chanted in large protests, the fractured families his divisive rhetoric had birthed through the Land of the Free and Brave. Trump, face contorting into masks of rage and regret, finally gasped, “Enough!”
Present, a woman woven from vibrant newsreel footage, took him on a whirlwind tour of America’s underbelly where Trump didn’t care much about. Together, They saw families huddled in freezing apartments, forgotten corners where despair festered like mold, and faces etched with the weariness of carrying someone else’s burdens. Shame flushed Trump’s cheeks as he witnessed the consequences of his neglect. His own doings had caused so much pain and suffering.
Future, a veiled figure radiating icy silence, unveiled a desolate panorama. A nation fractured, locked in bitter ideological warfare, where walls of distrust had replaced bridges of cooperation. Mounted like a Deer Head as a Trophy, despair gnawed at Trump’s heart as he saw his legacy not in gilded towers but in a nation consumed by the fires he had fanned into an inferno akin to Hades itself.
The ghosts faded, leaving Trump trembling, leaking more pee and a small amount of poop in the pre-dawn chill. His gilded 10k gold cage, once a fortress of self-aggrandizement, now felt suffocating. A single tear, unbidden and unwelcome, traced a lonely path down his cheek. Slobbering Money suddenly was not the priority at hand.
That day, something shifted in Donald J. Trump. The self-proclaimed Best in the 🌎 dealmaker struck a bargain not with foreign powers or corporate sharks, but with himself to be Nicer. He vowed to undo the damage, to halt the Lies, to trade the bluster of a bully for the balm of a builder swearing to make a thousand low rent homes and apartments throughout the Land. He swore to embrace the poor like never before and he swore to never be a bore no more.
He began humbly, visiting soup kitchens and shelters Helping to make the food, clean the tables and serve the food and he began listening to stories of hardship etched on tired, wore out faces. He met with estranged allies in secret, seeking not deals but understanding for his forgetfulness and deceptions. He apologized, clumsily with slobbering but sincerely, for the wounds he had inflicted.
The media scoffed, the internet cackled, but something unexpected happened. People, weary of division, saw a flicker of genuine remorse in his eyes. Acts of kindness, once dismissed as publicity stunts, began to carry the weight of genuine change. And He became a better man no longer willing to go the life of a crooked man.
Slowly, painstakingly, the Trump Tower thawed and was tire down. Walls of gilded arrogance crumbled, replaced by windows reaching out to a nation he had long ignored. He used his platform, once a megaphone for discord, to amplify the voices of the marginalized, the forgotten. He begged for mercy from everyone.
By the following Christmas, a new nickname had taken root: Santa Trump. He wasn’t delivering presents wrapped in gaudy foil, but bridges of understanding, woven from empathy and respect. He wasn’t dispensing empty promises, but acts of genuine service, rebuilding trust brick by painstaking brick.
The transformation wasn’t perfect, wasn’t pretty. The leopard, after all, can’t fully shed its spots. But in the eyes of a nation yearning for unity, Donald J. Trump, the man who once reveled in division, had become a symbol of unexpected redemption, a flawed Santa reminding everyone that even the coldest hearts can thaw in the warm embrace of Christmas grace.
The story of Santa Trump, of course, is a fantastical one, a holiday fable whispered against the backdrop of a divided world. Yet, it offers a glimmer of hope, a reminder that even the most entrenched narratives can be rewritten, that even the grumpiest elves can discover the magic of giving. It’s a tale that whispers, perhaps even to the cynics among us, that change, however unlikely, is always possible, even on a starlit December night.
So, as the final embers of the year flicker towards ash, let us hold onto the hope that this fictional tale might someday, somehow, echo a spark of truth in our own reality. For in the spirit of giving, in the embrace of understanding, there might just be a Santa waiting to bloom in the heart of even the most unexpected person. And that, perhaps, is the greatest gift of all.
By exploring this tale, take time to explore your own Tale.
Here’s a roadmap for your “being nice again” trek:
Introspection:
- Acknowledge your missteps: The first step is self-awareness. Reflect on situations where you weren’t at your nicest. Was it impatience, judgment, or just a bad day? Owning your actions is key to moving forward.
- Seek the why: Why did you behave that way? Was it rooted in personal stress, unresolved issues, or simply a lapse in judgment? Understanding the motivation behind your actions can help you address the root cause and prevent similar situations in the future.
- Forgive yourself: We all stumble. Holding onto guilt will only weigh you down. Forgive yourself for your shortcomings and embrace the opportunity to grow.
Action & Attitude:
- Start small: Don’t overwhelm yourself with grand gestures. Begin with simple acts of kindness – a smile to a stranger, holding the door open, or offering a helping hand. These ripples of positivity can have a powerful effect.
- Practice active listening: Truly hear what others have to say. Pay attention to their body language and emotions, and avoid interrupting. Show genuine interest in their lives and perspectives.
- Embrace humility: Let go of pride and ego. Be open to admitting when you’re wrong and willing to learn from others. Humility paves the way for connection and understanding.
- Cultivate empathy: Step into the shoes of others. Try to understand their feelings and experiences, even if they differ from your own. Empathy fosters compassion and builds bridges instead of walls.
- Offer genuine apologies: If you’ve hurt someone, own up to it. Say you’re sorry, and mean it. A sincere apology can mend broken bridges and pave the way for forgiveness.
Remember:
- Change takes time: Don’t expect overnight transformation. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress, no matter how small.
- Relapses happen: We all have bad days. If you slip up, don’t despair. Acknowledge it, learn from it, and get back on track.
- Focus on the journey: It’s not just about the destination of being “nice again,” but also about the journey of personal growth and self-discovery. Embrace the process and enjoy the unfolding of your kinder self.
Being nice isn’t always easy, but the rewards are immeasurable. It strengthens relationships, fosters positive connections, and brings a sense of inner peace. Remember, kindness is a superpower, and every small act can make a difference. So, take a deep breath, embark on your “being nice again” journey, and witness the joy that unfolds, one step at a time.
I believe in you!
Ebenezer Lennox Scroggie (1792–1836) was supposedly a merchant from Edinburgh who won a catering contract for King George IV‘s visit to Scotland. He was buried in Canongate Kirkyard, with a gravestone that is now lost. The theory is that Dickens noticed the gravestone that described Scroggie as being a “meal man” (grain merchant) but misread it as “mean man.”[1][2] This theory has been described as “a probable Dickens hoax” for which “[n]o one could find any corroborating evidence”.[3] There is no record of anyone named Scroggie in the Edinburgh census returns of the period.[4] Jemmy Wood, owner of the Gloucester Old Bank and possibly Britain’s first millionaire, was nationally renowned for his stinginess, and may have been another model for Scrooge.[5] The man whom Dickens eventually mentions in his letters[6] and who strongly resembles the character portrayed by Dickens’ illustrator, John Leech, was a noted British eccentric and miser named John Elwes (1714–1789).[citation needed] Another suggested inspiration for the character of Scrooge is Daniel Dancer, who Dickens mentions, along with Elwes, in Our Mutual Friend.
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