Love, gift and sorrow.
By shibham
@shibham (16977)
India
October 7, 2012 6:47am CST
Hi everyone...
Jim and Della was a happy but very poor couple who lived their life with poverty. There were two possessions of the family in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair.
Well, Della decided to gift a platinum fob chain to Jim on christmas so that he can wear the watch again. So, she saved money until the day before christmas but unfortunately she was not able to afford the chain. So, she sold her hair and bought the chain and came to home thinking "will Jim love her without long hair?"
But Jim said "about me. I don't think there's anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less. But if you'll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going a while at first." And there was a set of combs on the package that Jim wished to gift Della.
Della answered "My hair grows so fast, Jim!" And she offered the chain to Jim and Jim answered "let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while. They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the chops on."
Just have read this famous story of O' Henry "The gift of the magi" and was not able to resist myself in sharing with you. Share your views.
5 people like this
7 responses
@marguicha (223050)
• Chile
7 Oct 12
This is one of the best and most moving stories I have read and I always give it to my students to read at reading and writing workshops. The plot is interesting and it is very well written. A true Christmas classic.
2 people like this
@marguicha (223050)
• Chile
7 Oct 12
THank you, shibham. There are so many good stories we miss, specially if they are written in other countries. I know little about indian literature and I wonder if I`m too old to start now.
1 person likes this
@roshigo58 (4859)
• Pune, India
13 Oct 12
Hi,
It is very touching love story. It is the example of true love and sacrifice. It is very rare to find such unconditional love.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
12 Oct 12
I love that story. It was the first O Henry story that I read. There were christmas stories by other authors in the same book, but the story about Jim and Della touched me the most and and it is the only story from that book that I still remember. Jim and Della were both willing to sacrifice the only valuable things that they had (the hair and the watch) because they wanted to make the other person happy. They were financially poor, but they were rich in a different way. It is a beautiful story. I also love many of O Henry's other stories, but that story is still among my favourite stories.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
8 Oct 12
Hiya shibs,
Really lovely Story yes it is one that is not very well known to me I have seen it around but have not read the Book itself.
I do not have many English Books in fact I only have one right now and that is one of Ken Follett`s Novels.
Preferring to read in English this is why I have missed being able to read the Story.
Thanks for sharing it with us all.xxx
@mtrguanlao (5522)
• Philippines
7 Oct 12
That's a very touching and loving story amigo,nice of you to share it with us,my first time to know about it.
That's what I call a sacrificing love,an unconditional love. The couple sacrificed or surrendered their one and only precious treasure just to have something to give to each other,so sweet! I guess,I am willing to do that to my hubby and I'm sure he is too to me!
That's what I call a sacrificing love,an unconditional love. The couple sacrificed or surrendered their one and only precious treasure just to have something to give to each other,so sweet! I guess,I am willing to do that to my hubby and I'm sure he is too to me!1 person likes this
@murkie (1103)
• Philippines
8 Oct 12
i read this story several time before, though i'm not sure it was in those names. some say it is a story of love. a love so strong that you are willing to let go of your priciest possession just so you could offer to someone.
oh and i didn't know it was from o'henry, and it had that title.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
7 Oct 12
I've always liked that story and it has a lot to teach us. I was talking to someone here about my dad's second marriage and that story describes that relationship--sacrifice for each other, put your spouse's happiness before your own then you are both happy. Unfortunately, self sacrifice has gone out of fashion since the psychiatrists and other "experts" here in the states tell us that you can't make anyone happy unless you are happy yourself and we should be more selfish. That does not make for a good relationship of any sort.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
14 Oct 12
You are right drag... If we cant sacrifice ourselves on the name of a healthy relationship, then a couple cant be happy. Sacrifice, understanding, commitment are the vital issues that a couple should mind.
Hope, i will be strong enough to build such a relationship. have a nice time.
