Story The Gift

THE GIFT

Well, here is the story. Della and Jim Young are a poor newly married couple. Jim’s wage was enough to rent only a very small apartement. But there were two things of which each were extremely proud: Della had the longest and most beautiful hair in all of New York, and Jim possessed a magnificient gold pocket watch, given to him by his father.

New Year’s Day was drawing near, and Jim and Della began to think what present they could afford to give each other. Della always noticed sadly when Jim looked at this watch. It was fixed to button – hole of his coat by a common old leather strap. He really needed a gold chain for his watch. And Jim often thought, as he looked at Della combing her long hair. How nice it would if only he could buy her a jeweled hair comb for her hair. But a gold watch – chain and a jeweled hair – comb would have cost far more money than they could afford.

Then suddenly Della had a wonderful idea! Quickly she ran down the street to the shop with the notice ‘Hair Bought’. She went in and an hour later walked out of the shop with $15 in her hand, but with short-cut hair! On the way home she stopped at a watchmaker’s shop and found exactly the right chain for Jim’s watch.

Returning home, Della wrapped the precious gift in a piece of colored paper, then she curled her short hair. When Jim arrived home and saw her hair, he was speechless.

“Oh, Jim, don’t look at me like that!,” said Della. “It will grow again, sure it will.” She handed a parcel to Jim. “You see, I had to sell it to get some money for your present. Happy New Year, Jim darling.”

Jim opened the parcel. He dropped into a chair and laughed until tears came out of his eyes, “I think we’d better put this present away for a while,” he said, gently at last. “You see,” he continued, taking a small package from his pocket. “I sold my watch to buy this comb for your hair! Isn’t that funny?”

Nodding, as the tears rose in her eyes too Della gave Jim a brave smile and said, “Our present are the best presents in the world, you know.”

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