short story The gift of magi

3)  The gift of magi

      ‘The gift of magi’ of one of the famous stories written by O.Henry (William Sidney porter). His stories are always touching and they had endings which were shocking and surprising. His stories are marked by his sensitive perception of human nature. ‘The gift of magi’ is the story of a poor couple, Jim and Della.

        

       Jim and Della are poor couple who struggle hard. Bothe tried to save money everywhere. On coming Christmas both wanted to give each other a gift. Della could save only one dollar and eighty seven cents. She was disappointed when she went to the market. Della and Jim had one pride possession Della’s long hair and an old watch gifted to Jim by his grandfather. Seeing her own hair, Della got an idea of selling it so that she can get a chain for Jim’s watch. She got 20 Dollars for her hair. She purchased a beautiful chain for Jim’s watch.

          She prepared herself to meet Jim without her long hair. Jim was shocked to see her small hair. Off course he recovered and said that he loved her very much. We are also shocked to read that jim had brought combs and buckles made of tortoise shells but she had no long hair now.

      Della brings the chain for him and gift it to him but Jim starts laughing. To our surprise, we came to know that he had sold his gold watch to buy her combs. Here, we can see that the couple loves each other so much that they sold their proud possession. Actual gift they gave was love. Writer says that all who give and receive gifts are the magi angles who brought gifts for Jesus on his birth.