Old Dingledorf Square and Other Christmas Tales

Book excerpt: Christian in tone, relaying good morals and virtues, and told in delightful verse and meter, these old-fashioned Christmas poems will be enjoyed by the whole family "Old Dingledorf Square" is a Christmas allegory set in Victorian times that has enormous relevance to today's modern audience. What happens to this little town, famed around the world for their handmade Christmas bells, when a deafening silence overtakes the Christmas joy? Why have the residents lost their religious faith? Come and see how Terwilliger Mugs, a beggar seeking a hot meal and respite from the bitterly cold night, teaches the townsfolk the true meaning of Christmas. "Cruthers Smuthers and the Green Ghost of Christmas" studies the materialistic theme with a young tyke who becomes the consummate brat through his greedy consumption of Christmas-until he meets a green ghost that scares him to his wit's end "The Light of the Beggar" focuses on two urban beggars who view their lack of wealth differently-one with derision, the other, with Christlike optimism. These allegorical and spiritual poems will captivate the mind through sonorous and memorable rhyme set to match the music of Christmas.