Summary of The Gift of the Magi

"The Gift of the Magi" is a poignant short story written by O. Henry that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the true spirit of giving. The story centers around a young couple, Jim and Della, who are deeply in love but extremely poor. As Christmas approaches, both want to buy a special gift for the other, even though they have very little money. Della has beautiful long hair, which she decides to sell in order to buy a platinum fob chain for Jim’s prized possession, his watch. Unbeknownst to her, Jim sells his watch to buy a set of combs for Della’s hair. When they exchange their gifts on Christmas Eve, they realize the irony of their sacrifices. Their love for each other is highlighted as they each gave up their most valued possession to bring joy to the other. The story concludes with the message that the greatest gifts come from love and selflessness, reminiscent of the Magi, who were wise men that recognized the importance of giving. The tale underscores that the true essence of giving lies not in the material value of gifts but in the love and thought behind them.