For the last day of the event of Mini Collectives, I wanted to leave with something hopefully inspiring and festive. My favourite story at Christmas is without doubt, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I feel it brings such joy to the heart and really shows what the season is about. Being kind and enjoying the love of your fellow man. When I found out about the story of Dr Miles Marley, Charles Dickens, and a connection with Cornwall, I couldn’t resist creating a little story.
Thankyou for joining me on my first big social book event, The Collection is released tomorrow Monday 14th December at 9am. A new chapter is beginning, and it’s a wonderful way to finish the year. I can’t wait for you to join me once more in my world of imagination. Merry Christmas!
Grigor and Marley
Grigor was the oldest elf. He had been around for centuries, and like so many other elves he will continue to live forever as God intended his world to be full of magic and all things good. The smartest decision he had made was Santa Claus. He had conquered his role better than Grigor had ever imagined. People adored him and he really gave the elves a good image that was so easy to love. Before Santa, Christmas was a lot lower key. Grigor handed out fruit and coal to homes around the world. But at that time, it was still a wondrous and incredible gift to receive.
Grigor poured the hot milk which was now bubbling on the stove and added nutmeg and, cloves to the mixture and stirred. A cinnamon stick bounced around the creamy liquid and seemed to welcome the new additions. Grigor bent down and took a deep breath in. The smell was glorious, and he was excited to have it but made himself be patient.
He went to the cupboard and took out a grey pewter tankard and placed it beside the pan. Then he came into the next room with his chair and book of A Christmas Carol placed gently on the chair. The fire crackled beside him. He glanced at his watch and came back to the stove. The drink was ready. Grigor poured the mixture into his tankard and came and sat down. He placed his drink on a little side table beside him and picked up his book. He had read it over and over but never grew tired of the story.
As he began the tale, he opened the page to reveal Marley’s Ghost and his mind travelled. He remembered the day Marley came into Charles Dickens’s head. It was long ago and thanks to a Physician based in London, who then lived in a little English County called Cornwall….
It was St Patricks Day in Westminster, and Dr Miles Marley was having a party to celebrate. The guests arrived in their finest gowns and attire looking forward to an interesting evening. One of the most anticipated guests was the popular and always animated author Charles Dickens.
Marley and Dickens heard of each other through mutual friends and were yet to meet. The author arrived promptly and mixed with the guests. Apart from a quick greeting at the door, Dr Marley could not speak to his special guest until dinner when they were all sat down.
They began with a creamed potato and cauliflower soup, and conversation flowed freely. After the soup bowls had been cleared away and the wine glasses topped up, Dr Miles Marley spoke about the chatter of his guests toward the author.
‘Mr Dickens,’ he began in a raised voice. ‘I do enjoy your books, but I was wondering where you came up with your ideas? How the Devil do you know what to write about?’
Mr Dickens chuckled. ‘Why, the world around us provides much inspiration. You only need your eyes open and be aware of the surroundings in order to benefit from it. People walk around blind. I always find it strange for instance, how little notice, good, bad, or indifferent, a man may live and die in London…’
‘I think I am happy not to notice the bad men,’ interrupted a young lady sat opposite Mr Dickens. ‘Otherwise, I shall find London a lot more terrifying place to live. I shall have to move to the country and paint trees!’
The Lady’s remarks were greeted with chuckling among the guests.
‘My dear lady,’ replied Mr Dickens smiling. ‘If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers!’
And the guests laughed.
‘May I ask Mr Dickens, what are you working on now?’ the young Lady asked.
The table all chorused her request, and Charles Dickens smiled.
‘I do have a little tale brewing,’ he began. ‘But it is still at the early stages. I am still forming the story. The characters are appearing to me as we speak.’
‘Now?’ asked Dr Marley. ‘Is that how it works?’
‘Indeed. The hard part is finding their names,’ smiled Mr Dickens.
‘How do you normally acquire them?’ replied Dr Marley.
‘I get inspired, Dr Marley. By people.’
‘So, you would just use the people you meet?’
‘Yes, Doctor Marley,’ explained Mr Dickens. ‘It has proved most effective in the past.’
‘Have you used any of us here tonight?’ the young Lady enquired with a smile. ‘Mind you, I think our host is safe!’
The room chuckled. Dr Marley most of all. ‘Yes, Felicity. I do believe Marley would be most unsuitable for a Dickens book. Pickwick has a rhythm to it, don’t you agree? And Marley is not nearly as interesting as Barnaby Rudge or as dastardly as Fagin. No, I believe I shall never have the good fortune.’
‘On the contrary Dr Marley, I believe Marley is an excellent name and from the moment I received your kind invitation to dine tonight I thought with your permission, of course, I would use it. It would be perfect for my new story.’ Mr Dickens took a sip of wine and savoured his moment. ‘In fact, by the end of the year, Marley will be a household name!’
And Charles Dickens was right. A Christmas Carol turned out to be the most successful book of the 1843 holiday season. Soon after the St Patricks Day Dinner, Dr Miles Marley moved to Cornwall where he entertained Mr Dickens many a time. Mr Dickens was a fan of the county and featured it in several scenes of A Christmas Carol. Dr Marley enjoyed the story of Scrooge for ten Christmases to follow but passed away in his home at Port Isaac shortly after.
Grigor sipped his spiced milk and read into the night. He, like Dr Marley, never thought his name was special. But Grigor found and mentored the man who brought the magic into Christmas. There are always the big stars of tales, such as Santa and Ebenezer Scrooge. Both of these men are considered the spirit of Christmas to so many. But behind them, at their beginnings are the people who set them on their way, like himself and Jacob Marley. No matter how ordinary you believe your self to be, you can help others achieve greatness, guide them on their way. You never know the impact you can bestow. Especially at Christmas.
Geek Girl Eats Cake 