The Gift of the Magi
It's a short story by O • Henry that has moved me for a long time. Maybe most of you are familiar with its name：The Gift of the Magi. I have read it many times but every time I like to read it slowly and deliberately. I think "The Gift of the Magi" is meant to be savored.
Maybe there is no necessity for me to repeat the main idea of the story. But I'm so fascinated with the short story that I want to retell it to you, and to myself. It happened to a very poor but blissful young couple named Jim and Della in the end of 18th century in England. Because of the maladies of that society and the effect of economic crisis, they worked hard but earned little. Life is very hard for them. Despite of this, their love to each other and the enthusiasm for life didn't changed at all. When Christmas day was approaching , Della used the money she got from selling her beautiful hair which she treasured very much to give Jim a fob for his grandfather's pocket watch. But Jim had already sold that watch to buy Della tortoiseshell combs to wear in her long hair, not knowing she'd cut it off.
It appears that the gifts they gave each other have been useless. But I think they gave each other the best of what they had to make the other happy. Isn't that true love? We can image, in such rough conditions, as it said in the story, "Life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, sniffles predominating." It is absolutely reasonable for them to be beaten by the misery. But the fact is that no matter how tough life had been, they wouldn't lose heart. With strong faith and their love , they did their best to make the other pleased." Whenever Mr. James came home and reached his flat , above he was called “Jim”and greatly hugged by Mrs. James." Maybe this account is the best description of their love and struggle against hard life. It was said that the poverties life is ,the firmer and truer love is." Actually, they'd given the very best they had out of love.
Love has nothing to do with money, possession or status. It's consideration, tolerance and respect. It's giving one's best to the other even it means sacrifice. It's affection which connects two persons' hearts, and it's reinforced by adversities. Nothing did they have, at least they possess love. Never give up as long as love exists. From" The Gift of the Magi", from Jim and Della, I have learned a lot about love, life and hope.。