The tradition of giving presents for Christmas arose a long time ago. Initially, it is associated with the biblical story of the Magi who brought incense as a gift to the newly born Jesus. Seeing a star appearing in heaven, they realized that the savior of mankind appeared in the world, and came to bow to him.
What man can sacrifice in order to bring true joy to his beloved is discussed in the story of O. Henry “Gifts of the Magi,” a summary of which is given below.
Exposition. Meet the heroes
Already from the first sentences of the work it becomes clear how difficult it is for the married couple of Dillingham Jung. They rent an apartment for which you need to pay $ 8 each week. In the whole situation, “silent poverty” is visible. The doorbell does not work. And the slot in the mailbox is so narrow that in no way could the letter be lowered. Yes, and the door sign indicating the name of the owner, which appeared when he earned $ 30, now seemed faded. Since family income declined by ten dollars, spouses had to save money on everything. But every evening, upon returning home, Mr. James was invariably waiting for his wife’s joyful voice and “gentle hugs”.
Della
The summary of the story “Gifts of the Magi” should be continued with a description of the mistress of the house. On Christmas Eve, she dejectedly counted the money that she could save for several months, saving in everything wherever possible. She remembered the scenes of humiliating trade with a grocer, a butcher, a greengrocer for every cent. But the costs were still very high, so in the end we managed to collect only a dollar and eighty-seven cents. They had to buy a gift for her husband, whom she loved very much.
First, Della threw herself on the couch and burst into tears. However, it was necessary to do something. She went to the window, then suddenly went to the dressing table in the wall. Her eyes flashed, and her face turned pale.
The only riches of the heroes of the story “Gifts of the Magi”
The summary should necessarily include a description of Della's hair and James's watch, for they were their main pride.
A young woman, going up to the mirror, freed her curls from her hairpins ... They scattered over her shoulders and covered her whole figure below her knees. They shone and shimmered, resembling a chestnut waterfall. But Della immediately began to collect them. At that moment, two or three tears rolled from her eyes. The decision ripened instantly - because she could not leave her dear James without a gift. Moreover, his magnificent watch, inherited from his grandfather and father, needed a chain. She will replace the old leather strap. Then the beloved will be able to proudly take out his watch to see the time.
Twenty dollars for a present
Della quickly got dressed and rushed out into the street - this is how the plot of the story “Gifts of the Magi” develops, a brief summary of which is offered to the reader. She ran to the second floor of the building, where Madame Sophronie was located, buying hair. A few minutes - and Della received twenty dollars and went shopping to find a gift. And after a couple of hours she hurried home with the remaining eighty-seven cents and a purchased platinum watch chain.
Husband's return
First of all, Della curled her curls - she hoped that James would not be very upset when she saw her with a new haircut, and moreover she would not fall out of love. I made coffee, cooked a frying pan for meatballs. Then, holding a chain in her hand, she crouched closer to the door and stood waiting.
Mr. Dillingham Jung, who came in, saw his wife, froze in an incomprehensible daze ... About this way O. Henry continues “Gifts of the Magi”. The summary of the story does not allow us to describe the scene that arose at this moment. One thing is important - James still could not believe that his Della no longer had her luxurious hair.
Gift Exchange
Pretty soon, his behavior will become clear to the reader. James took out a bundle of paper and handed it to his wife. Della turned him around and crests appeared before her eyes. The ones she had long dreamed about: tortoiseshells, with pebbles around the edges. They fit the color of her hair. Involuntarily tears and groans of despair help to understand the condition of the woman. And this episode can be called the culmination of the story “Gifts of the Magi”. A summary of the conversation that arose further between the spouses is as follows. Della tried to convince her husband that her hair would grow back very soon. But she also bought him a great gift. She opened her hand - and on it sparkled precious metal. But James, seeing the chain, lay on the couch and smiled. He sold his watch to buy combs. “We will have to hide our gifts for now ... they are too good for us,” was his answer.
The final
In the final part of the work, O. Henry recalls the biblical story and gives its very brief content. The gifts of the Magi, called the wise, could always be exchanged if they were unsuitable. The difference between the story told is that Delly and James were much more generous. These two, without a moment's hesitation, sacrificed for their loved one the dearest that was in their life. And affectionately calling his heroes “stupid children from an eight-dollar apartment,” the author notes that they are the wisest.
Such is the story of the great love of two ordinary people, described in the story of O. Henry “Gifts of the Magi”, a summary of which you read.