IMAGINARY FRIENDSHIP
Ali Baba is referenced as a figure who visited Scrooge in his imagination during his lonely childhood, providing comfort and companionship in the absence of real friends.
ALI BABA
'Why, it's Ali Baba!' Scrooge exclaimed in ecstasy. 'It's dear old honest Ali Baba! Yes, yes, I know. One Christmas-time, when yonder solitary child was left here all alone, he _did_ come, for the first time, just like that. Poor boy!'