Today's story is a true Christmas classic. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry was published in 1906 but never grows old. O. Henry was the pen name of William Sydney Porter (1862-1910). He wrote many classic short stories including The Ransom of Red Chief which many of us read in school.
If you haven't read this story you are in for a treat. Della and her husband Jim are newlyweds with little money but a strong sense of love and sacrifice. As Christmas approaches they choose the perfect gifts for each other, giving their gifts is an ironic twist. I have read this story every Christmas for years now and still feel the jolt of truth at the end of the tale. My daughter remarked that if I included only one Christmas story this month it should be The Gift of the Magi. It will have that impact on you as well.
The Gift of the Magi is available in book format, as part of many different Christmas collections, free on Kindle or through Daily Lit. If you haven't tried Daily Lit I highly recommend it. After a free sign-up you can have stories emailed in one or more daily portions. A $.99 Kindle collection 10 Best Loved Christmas Classic Stories for All Ages includes today's selection as well as many other well known classics.
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