The Gift of Magi Story in English | Stories for Teenagers | @EnglishFairyTales

Summary

In a quaint English town, lovers James and Della face financial hardship, yet their love remains strong. With Christmas approaching, both secretly sell their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other, only to discover the bittersweet irony of their sacrifices. The story of 'The Gift of the Magi' is a poignant tale of love and the true spirit of giving, where the greatest treasures are the selfless acts of the heart.

Takeaways

• 💑 The story revolves around James and Della, a loving couple living in a small town in England.
• 💼 James works as a typist in a newspaper company, initially earning 50 pounds a month.
• 💍 James and Della get married and live a content life until economic hardship strikes.
• 💸 Recession causes James's salary to drop to 40 pounds a month, leading to financial struggles for the couple.
• 🎁 The couple cherishes two possessions: James's inherited gold watch and Della's long, beautiful hair.
• 💇‍♀️ Della decides to sell her hair to buy a Christmas gift for James, receiving 20 pounds for it.
• 🛍️ With the money, Della purchases a platinum fob chain for James's watch, spending 21 pounds.
• 🎅 Christmas Eve brings the couple's sacrifices to light as they exchange gifts.
• 😢 Della is initially shocked by James's reaction to her new appearance, but he reassures her of his love.
• 🎁 James surprises Della with a set of combs she had long desired, which she can no longer use due to her shorter hair.
• 💔 The couple realizes they have both made sacrifices to buy gifts for each other, which are now less useful.
• 🌟 Despite their sacrifices, the love and thoughtfulness they display make them the wisest of all gift-givers.

Q & A

What is the setting of the story 'The Gift of the Magi'?

The story is set in a small town in England.

Who are the main characters in the story?

The main characters are James and Della, a young couple deeply in love.

What significant event happens after James gets a job and proposes to Della?

James and Della get married in a small celebration.

How much is James's salary reduced to after the recession strikes?

James's salary is reduced to 40 pounds a month.

What are the two most prized possessions of James and Della?

James's gold watch, which is a family heirloom, and Della's beautiful long brown hair.

Why does Della decide to sell her hair?

Della sells her hair because she wants to buy a Christmas gift for James but only has 87 pence.

What does Della buy for James with the money she gets from selling her hair?

Della buys a platinum fob chain for James's gold watch.

What gift does James buy for Della, and how does he pay for it?

James buys a set of combs that Della had long admired, and he pays for it by selling his gold watch.

How does Della react when she sees her gift from James?

Della is initially overjoyed but then heartbroken because the gift is a set of combs for her long hair, which she has sold.

What is the irony in the story regarding the gifts they buy for each other?

The irony is that Della sells her hair to buy a chain for James's watch, and James sells his watch to buy combs for Della's hair.

What is the moral or message of the story?

The story conveys the message that the greatest gift is the selfless love and sacrifice demonstrated by the characters, making them the wisest of all like the Magi.