Scrooge goes back to sleep, but is soon awakened by the Ghost of Christmas Present who takes him on a tour of his neighborhood. Cheer and goodwill are happening all around Scrooge, yet he is immune to it.

The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge his nephew Fred’s cozy home. Even though Fred’s friends bad-mouth Scrooge, Fred shows sympathy–we might say compassion–for the old man.

The Ghost then takes him to the loving home of his clerk, Bob Crachit, and here Scrooge sees Tiny Tim, who the Ghost tells him is sure to die.

One translation of metta, which we normally think of as loving-kindness, is goodwill. Goodwill antidotes the ill-will that Scrooge expresses when he says “Bah, humbug.”

The jolly Ghost of Christmas Present doesn’t convince Scrooge to change his attitude to life. Just before he leaves, GCP warns Scrooge against 2 emaciated children named Ignorance and Want. More about them tomorrow.