Synopsis/Details
On Christmas Eve, misanthropic gravedigger Gabriel Grub walks to the cemetery to cheer himself by digging a new grave. In the cemetery, Grub comes across a little boy taking a shortcut to a Christmas party. Grub strikes the boy several times with his lantern, and the boy runs off crying.
Grub finally begins digging a grave. After a long night’s work and a bottle of gin, Grub suddenly comes face-to-face with a goblin that transports him to an underground cavern filled with a horde of other goblins.
In the cavern, the goblin king shows Grub scenes of family life filled with compassion, hope, and happiness. Grub finally understands that people were put on the earth to love and help one another, but it may be too late for him.
On Christmas morning, people of the village find Grub’s lantern, spade, and empty gin bottle beside a new grave, but they find no trace of Grub. Did goblins carry away the wicked man, as the townspeople speculate? Or did Grub simply leave town with no explanation?
Story & Logistics
Story Type:
Social Justice
Story Situation:
Erroneous judgment
Story Conclusion:
Surprise Twist
Linear Structure:
Linear
Moral Affections:
Bad Man, Punishment, Selfishness
Cast Size:
Several
Locations:
Few
Characters
Lead Role Ages:
Male over 45
Hero Type:
Anti-Hero
Villian Type:
Bully, Corrupted
Advanced
Adaption:
Based on Existing Fiction
Subgenre:
Christmas, Classic, Fairy Tale, Period
Time Period:
Late modern period
Country:
United Kingdom (UK)
Time of Year:
Christmas Day
