“The Gift of the Magi”
Title
By O. Henry
Author
Important Characters:
*Della- has a very beautiful long hair. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her.
*Jim- husband of Della. He has a golden wrist watch which was used to own by his grandfather and father.
Synopsis:
It was Christmas Day tomorrow, but Della had only $1.87 to buy Jim a special present. And the only precious thing they had was Jim’s golden wrist watch; in addition, was her beautiful long brown hair which reached to her knees. But she really wanted to buy a gift for Jim so she went to a hair and beauty parlor. She sold her hair for $20. And she bought a platinum fob chain for Jim’s wrist watch.
When she got home, she fixed herself wondering if Jim would still love her.
After forty minutes, she heard his footsteps. She whispered a silent prayer. She wished that she would still be looked pretty for him.
The door opened and Jim stepped in and closed it. He looked thin and very serious. His coat and gloves were worn out. She became conscious because of the way he stares at her. Without asking why, she explained the reason why she had to do that because she wanted to buy him a special gift. And she told him that she really loved him.
Then he asked why she would have to do that. But she thought that Jim wasn’t loved her because she has now a short hair, so Jim told her that before she doubt his love for her, he told her to unwrapped the package he brought. She saw beautiful combs, pure tortoise shell, with jeweled rims—just the shade to wear in the beautiful vanished hair that Della had worshipped for long. They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply craved and yearned over them without the least hope of possession. And now, they were hers, but the tresses that should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone, but she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile and said to him that her hair grew fast.
Then she gave to him the platinum fob chain. She proudly told him that she had searched for it all over the town. She asked him to put it on to his watch but instead of obeying, Jim smiled and said that put their Christmas presents away and keep them a while because they''re too nice to use just at present because he sold the watch to get the money to buy her combs.
Comments/ reaction:
The magi, as we know, were wise men that brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here the author have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest.
The story contains Porter’s characteristic ironic plot twists and surprise ending.
And I have learned that we always need trust our love ones, because sometimes we misunderstood the way they react to such situations. Always put in mind that they want the best for us. Trust not only them, but have faith also in God. Even if there are times that things happen not the way we expect, don’t doubt His love. Remember that when trials go worst, He has a purpose for that and He’s planning the best for you!