The Gift Story PDF

When the New Year approached, Della and her husband, Jim started to consider what kind of gift they could afford to offer to each other. Della calculated the funds in her piggy bank and checked her account twice. Priced at \$1.87 in total. Afterward, the New Year would arrive. She had put away all o...

When the New Year approached, Della and her husband, Jim started to consider what kind of gift they could afford to offer to each other. Della calculated the funds in her piggy bank and checked her account twice. Priced at \$1.87 in total. Afterward, the New Year would arrive. She had put away all of her spare cash for months, and now look at her! She sighed heavily. Newlyweds Della and James Young were struggling financially. Jim could afford just a fully furnished apartment at \$8 per week on his salary. Mr. James usually got a bear hug from Dela when he got returned to his apartment. Each individual has two points of pride. In all of New York, Della's hair was the longest and most stunning, and James wore a wonderful gold pocket watch that had been a gift from his father. When James glanced at his watch, Della always knew he was feeling down. A simple, worn leather strap secured it to his coat\'s button placket. A gold watch chain was an important must. And often, Jim would ponder as he watched Della carefully comb her long hair. If only he could afford to purchase her a jewel-encrusted hair comb, she\'d look stunning. But they did not have the financial means to purchase a gold watch chain or a jeweled hair comb. Della decided to take a trip outside in the cold December air to clear her head. She paused in front of a sign that said, \"Mme. Sofronie. Products for the Hair.\" Della had a brilliant idea out of the blue. She bolted down the street in the direction of Mme. Sofronie\'s store. They let her in. Will you be buying some of my hair?\" Della inquired. Della\'s wavy brown hair was smooth and shiny in Mme. Sofronie's hands as she replied, "I\'ll purchase your hair for 20 dollars. Remove your cap, I want to have a look at how it shapes out." \"Give it to me immediately," Della pleaded. She got \$20, had her hair trimmed, and left the salon an hour later. On the way home, she stopped by a jeweler and picked out a chain that would go well with James's timepiece. It was a plain platinum necklace. She immediately recognized it as James' at sight. The twenty dollars was taken from her, and she hastily returned home with the remaining 87 cents. After returning home, she wrapped the priceless present in colored paper. It was 7:00 p.m. when the coffee was brewed. Jimmy never ran late. Della sat at the end of the table towards the entrance he usually used. Next, she heard his departing footfall on the stairwell. She prayed silently, as she often did, pleading, \"Please, God, let him believe I am still lovely.' Once James entered, he locked the door. His expression was gloomy, and he was thin. Poor James, Della thought. He was just 22 and already had to shoulder the financial responsibility of a family. It\'s time for him to get a new overcoat and some gloves. As usual, Della got up from the table and approached James. He was stunned after witnessing Della\'s hair. Saying, \"Oh, James, don\'t stare at me like that!\" Della asked James to stop glancing at her. \"Yeah, my hair will begin to regrow immediately. Don\'t question my word.\" She handed James a box and smiled. \"It cost me a lot of money to get you this present." Jim snapped out of his stupor almost immediately. He opened the package. James took something out of the inside pocket of his coat and tossed it on the table. He collapsed into a chair, laughing so hard he wept. \"Don\'t misunderstand me, Della.\" Finally, he added softly, \"I believe we\'d best put our gift away for a time. I parted with my wristwatch to get you this hair comb. Isn\'t it hilarious?\" Della acknowledged James's emotions with a nod and a brave grin by telling him, "Our New Year\'s gifts are the finest presents in the world, you know."