Gift Of The Magi (penguin Readers, Level 1) -

The story is famous for its "situational irony." Both characters sell the very thing their partner’s gift was intended for. This twist highlights the unpredictability of life and reinforces that the intention behind a gift matters more than the object itself. Conclusion

The core of the story is the willingness to give up what you love most for the sake of someone else. Della and Jim don’t just give "things"; they give up their identities (her hair, his legacy) to make the other person happy. Gift of the Magi (Penguin Readers, Level 1)

With Christmas approaching and only $1.87 in her pocket, Della sells her hair for $20 to buy Jim a platinum chain for his watch. When Jim arrives home, he is shocked. He has sold his watch to buy Della a set of expensive combs she had long admired for her hair. Though their gifts are now useless, they realize their love is the most valuable gift of all. Key Themes The story is famous for its "situational irony