The Last of the Spirits

by Chris Priestley

Christmas Eve was a time when most folk had some extra warmth in their hearts, but this warmth was directed towards their loved ones in the main. So very little was left over for those who needed it most.

I simply sought to be richer, as though that, of itself, were some kind of achievement. Never was there a more pointless existence.’

And in a way, actresses were what they were, a painted smile to please the vanity of the men who used them so callously.

‘What good is there in feeling happy one day if you go back to how you were the next?’ ‘What harm is there?’ said the giant.

And Sam, not known for such displays, went over and embraced the old gentleman himself, and when he did, it felt like a great weight had dropped from him all at once, for until then he had not understood how very heavy hate can be.

Ignorance and Want: beware them both, but beware Ignorance most of all.