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  A Christmas Dream

  Louisa May Alcott

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  Written as a bedtime story for her niece and part of Louisa May Alcott's Lulu Library. A Christmas Dream is the tale of a privileged little girl and a fantastic dream of Christmas teaching the value of giving to those in need. Written by Louisa May Alcott, famous for the "Little Women" Trilogy. Narrated by Michael Ward

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  The Old Street Lamp

  H. C. Andersen

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  Short story by H. Ch. Andersen about how an old lamp began to shine in a different way.

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  The Picture of Dorian Gray

  Oscar Wilde

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  "It is your best work, Basil, the best thing you have ever done," said Lord Henry, languidly. "You must certainly send it next year to the Grosvenor. The Academy is too large and too vulgar. The Grosvenor is the only place."    "I don't think I will send it anywhere," he answered, tossing his head back in that odd way that used to make his friends laugh at him at Oxford. "No: I won't send it anywhere."    Lord Henry elevated his eyebrows, and looked at him in amazement through the thin blue wreaths of smoke that curled up in such fanciful whorls from his heavy opium-tainted cigarette. "Not send it anywhere? My dear fellow, why? Have you any reason? What odd chaps you painters are! You do anything in the world to gain a reputation. As soon as you have one, you seem to want to throw it away. It is silly of you, for there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about. A portrait like this would set you far above all the young men in England, and make the old men quite jealous, if old men are ever capable of any emotion."    "I know you will laugh at me," he replied, "but I really can't exhibit it. I have put too much of myself into it."    Lord Henry stretched his long legs out on the divan and shook with laughter.  "Yes, I knew you would laugh; but it is quite true, all the same."    "Too much of yourself in it! Upon my word, Basil, I didn't know you were so vain; and I really can't see any resemblance between you, with your rugged strong face and your coal-black hair, and this young Adonis, who looks as if he was made of ivory and rose-leaves. Why, my dear Basil, he is a Narcissus, and you--well, of course you have an intellectual expression, and all that.    But beauty, real beauty, ends where an intellectual expression begins. Intellect is in itself an exaggeration, and destroys the harmony of any face. The moment one sits down to think, one becomes all nose, or all forehead, or something horrid. Look at the successful men in any of the learned professions. How perfectly hideous they are! Except, of course, in the Church. But then in the Church they don't think. A bishop keeps on saying at the age of eighty what he was told to say when he was a boy of eighteen, and consequently he always looks absolutely delightful. Your mysterious young friend, whose name you have never told me, but whose picture really fascinates me, never thinks. I feel quite sure of that. He is a brainless, beautiful thing, who should be always here in winter when we have no flowers to look at, and always here in summer when we want something to chill our intelligence. Don't flatter yourself, Basil: you are not in the least like him."

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  The Story Of Gulliver's Travels

  Jonathan Swift

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  Gulliver's Travels (1726, amended 1735), officially Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World, is a novel by Jonathan Swift that is both a satire on human nature and a parody of the "travelers' tales" literary sub-genre. It is widely considered Swift's magnum opus and is his most celebrated work, as well as one of the indisputable classics of English literature.Jonathan Swift was an Anglo-Irish satirist, author, essayist, political pamphleteer, poet, and Anglican cleric who became Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, hence his common sobriquet, "Dean Swift".

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  Love & Friendship

  Jane Austen

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  "Love and Friendship" is a novella by Jane Austen that explores the themes of love, friendship, and the societal expectations that govern relationships in the early 19th century. The narrative unfolds through the protagonist, Laura, who recounts her experiences and relationships in a series of letters. Austen's narrative is characterized by its wit and satire, as she keenly observes the manners and morals of the time. Through Laura's voice, the reader is taken on a journey that navigates the complexities of romantic entanglements and the consequences of societal pressures. 
   
  The novella delves into the consequences of impulsive decisions and the societal expectations placed on women to secure advantageous marriages. Austen uses humor and irony to expose the absurdities of the social norms and conventions that govern the characters' lives. As Laura navigates the challenges of love and friendship, Austen skillfully weaves a narrative that explores the tension between individual desires and societal expectations. The characters' flaws are exposed, highlighting the limitations placed on personal freedom in a society where social standing and financial considerations often take precedence over matters of the heart. 
   
  In "Love and Friendship," Austen's narrative mastery shines through as she crafts a tale that not only entertains but also offers a subtle commentary on the constraints of the society in which her characters live. The exploration of love and friendship serves as a lens through which Austen examines the intricacies of human relationships, making the novella a timeless and insightful exploration of the human condition.

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  The Immortal A Christmas Carol

  Charles Dickens

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  "A Christmas Carol" follows the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly and cold-hearted old man, throughout one magical Christmas Eve. The narrative begins with Scrooge, a wealthy but stingy moneylender, dismissing the Christmas season with contempt and refusing to give to charity. He dislikes the idea of Christmas joy and generosity, considering them a waste of time and money. On Christmas Eve, as Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley. Marley, burdened with heavy chains as punishment for his greed and selfishness in life, warns Scrooge that he will suffer a similar fate unless he changes his ways. 
   
  Marley tells Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits that night. The first the Ghost of Christmas Past, takes Scrooge on a journey through his childhood and early adulthood. Scrooge witnesses scenes from his past, including his lonely and neglected childhood, lost love, and moments when he chose money over relationships. The second spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Present, shows Scrooge scenes of people joyfully celebrating Christmas in the present. Scrooge is particularly moved by the Cratchit family, especially Bob Cratchit and his son Tiny Tim, who is ill. Despite their poverty, the Cratchits find happiness in each other and embody the true spirit of Christmas. The third spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (or the Ghost of Christmas Future), shows Scrooge a bleak future if he continues on his current path. Scrooge sees his lonely death and the lack of mourning from those around him. He also witnesses Tiny Tim's death, which is a result of the family's inability to afford proper medical care. 
  Frightened and remorseful, Scrooge pleads for a chance to change. He promises to embrace the Christmas spirit and become a better person. Awakening on Christmas morning, Scrooge is overjoyed to discover that he has been given a second chance

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