By O. Henry

A story is told about a young married couple whose names were Jim and Della. They were poor but very much in love with each other.

As Christmas approached, Della wondered what to get Jim for Christmas. She wanted to give him a watch chain for his gold watch, but she didn’t have enough money. Then she got an idea. She had beautiful long hair. So Della decided to cut off her hair and sell it to buy the fancy chain for Jim's watch.

On Christmas Eve, she returned home holding a beautiful box containing a gold watch chain which she purchased by selling her hair. Suddenly Della began to worry. She knew Jim admired her long hair, and she wondered if he will be disappointed that she cut it off and sold it.

Della climbed the final flight of stairs leading to their tiny apartment. She unlocked the door and was surprised to find Jim home and waiting for her. In his hand was a neatly wrapped box containing the gift he purchased for her.

When Della removed her scarf, Jim saw Della's short hair, and tears welled up in his eyes. But he choked back the tears and gave Della the gift box.

When Della opened it, she couldn’t believe her eyes. There in the box was a set of beautiful silver combs for her long hair.

And when Jim opened his gift, he, too, was astonished. There inside the box was a beautiful gold chain for his gold pocket watch. Only then did Della realize that Jim had pawned his gold watch to buy her the silver hair combs.

Far more beautiful than the gifts is the love they symbolize.

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