A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Dickens's tender and comic tale of the Cratchit family, Tiny Tim, and Ebenezer Scrooge, has been a favorite since it was written in 1843. Badly in need of money, Dickens produced A CHRISTMAS CAROL in six weeks; the first printing of 6,000 copies sold out instantly. In Dickens's original version, Tiny Tim was Tiny Fred, and Scrooge said "Bah!" but not "Humbug!" THE CHIMES, THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH, THE BATTLE OF LIFE, and THE HAUNTED MAN are also included in this holiday collection.