Contents
The Gift of the Magi – Level 1 English Story in Present Simple
Present Simple Questions Based on the Story
The story was rewritten by the “English Stories and News for Learning English” website for English learners.
The Gift of the Magi
Della has one dollar and eighty-seven cents. That is all. She counts the money three times. She wants to buy a present for her husband, Jim. She saves every penny, but it is not enough.
Jim is her husband. Della loves him very much. Tomorrow is Christmas. She wants to buy something special for him.
Della sits on a small couch. She feels sad. She does not want to cry, but she does. She thinks about life. Life has happy times and sad times. Today, she feels sad.
Della and Jim live in a small apartment. It costs eight dollars a week. The apartment is not big. It does not look nice, but it is home.
There is a little mailbox. But no letters come. There is a doorbell. But no one rings it. On the door, there is a card. It says, “Mr. James Dillingham Young.”
Jim’s full name is James Dillingham Young. But Della calls him “Jim.”
Before, Jim earns more money. Now, he earns only twenty dollars a week. Life is harder. But Della and Jim love each other.
Della looks in the mirror. She has long, brown hair. It is very beautiful. It reaches below her knees. She brushes it every day.
Jim has something beautiful too. He has a gold watch. The watch comes from his father and grandfather. It is very special.
Della looks out the window. She thinks about Jim. She has only $1.87. She wants to buy a nice present for him. She thinks and thinks. Then, she has an idea.
She can sell her hair.
The Hair Shop
Della puts on her old coat. She puts on her old hat. She goes outside. She walks fast. She sees a sign: “Mme. Sofronie. Hair Goods.”
She goes into the shop. She says, “Will you buy my hair?”
Mme. Sofronie says, “Let me see it.” Della takes off her hat. Her hair falls down.
Mme. Sofronie says, “Twenty dollars.”
Della says, “Give it to me quickly.”
Della takes the twenty dollars. Now, she has $21.87. She goes to many shops. She looks for a gift for Jim.
She sees a platinum fob chain. It is simple. It is beautiful. It is perfect for Jim’s gold watch.
She buys it for $21. She goes home with 87 cents. She is happy.
At home, she curls her short hair. She hopes Jim likes her with short hair. She waits for Jim.
Jim’s Return Home
At 7 o’clock, Della makes coffee. She puts the frying-pan on the stove. She wants to cook dinner. Jim usually comes home at 7:30.
Della waits. She feels a little afraid. “What does Jim think about my short hair?” she wonders.
She holds the fob chain in her hand. She sits near the door. She waits quietly.
Then she hears his step. She knows his walk. She whispers, “Please, God, make him think I am still pretty.”
The door opens. Jim comes in. He looks tired and cold. He does not wear gloves. He looks at Della. He stops and stares.
He does not speak. He does not smile. He does not frown. He just looks at her.
Della runs to him. She cries, “Jim, darling, please don’t look at me like that. I cut my hair and sell it. I want to buy a gift for you. It will grow again!”
She touches her hair. “It is short now. But I am the same Della. I love you.”
Jim still says nothing.
Jim takes out a small package from his coat. He puts it on the table. He says, “Dell, let’s open our presents. But first, I must tell you something.”
Jim sits down. He says, “Open mine first.”
Della opens the package. She screams with joy. Then she cries.
Inside the package are beautiful combs. They are the ones she wants. She sees them in a shop window many times. But now, she does not have long hair.
A Sad but Sweet Moment
Della smiles through her tears. She hugs the combs. She says, “My hair grows so fast, Jim. One day, I use them.”
Then Della remembers her gift. She gives him the chain.
“Now,” she says, “give me your watch. I want to see how the chain looks on it.”
Jim does not move. He smiles. He says, “Dell, I sell the watch to buy your combs.”
They both look at each other. They both give the best gift. But now, they cannot use them.
The Meaning of Love
Jim and Della sit on the sofa. They laugh a little. Then they hug each other.
Jim says, “Let’s put away our presents. They are too good to use now. Maybe one day, we can use them.”
Della nods. “Yes,” she says. “We give all we have, but we still have everything.”
Their love is strong. Their love is more important than gifts.
The narrator says, “The Magi are wise men. They bring gifts to baby Jesus. They start the tradition of Christmas gifts.”
“Jim and Della are like the Magi. They give from the heart. They do not think about money. They give with love.”
“They are wise. They are the wisest of all. Because they understand the true meaning of giving.”
THE END
The original version of the story: americanliterature.com
Present Simple Questions Based on the Story
How much money does Della have at the beginning of the story?
Where do Della and Jim live?
What does Della want to buy for Jim?
Why does Della sell her hair?
What does Jim do when he comes home?
What gift does Jim buy for Della?
How does Della feel after she cuts her hair?
Does Jim still love Della with short hair?
What do Della and Jim do with their Christmas gifts?
Why does the narrator say Della and Jim are like the Magi?
Vocabulary from the Story
Money – Coins or bills we use to buy things.
Example: Della does not have much money.
Present – A gift. Something you give to someone.
Example: She wants to buy a present for Jim.
Save – To keep money and not spend it.
Example: She saves every penny.
Love – A strong feeling of care and affection.
Example: Della loves Jim very much.
Christmas – A holiday on December 25 when people give gifts.
Example: Tomorrow is Christmas.
Sad – Not happy.
Example: Della feels sad.
Apartment – A small home in a building.
Example: They live in a small apartment.
Mail – Letters or packages sent to you.
Example: No letters come to the mailbox.
Watch – A small clock you wear on your hand.
Example: Jim has a gold watch.
Hair – What grows on your head.
Example: Della has long, brown hair.
Sell – To give something for money.
Example: She wants to sell her hair.
Shop – A store where people buy things.
Example: Della goes into the hair shop.
Gift – Another word for present.
Example: She looks for a gift for Jim.
Chain – A small metal link for a watch.
Example: She buys a platinum fob chain.
Combs – Tools to brush or fix hair.
Example: Della sees combs in the package.
Window – Glass you look through in a wall.
Example: She sees the combs in a shop window.
Smile – To show happiness on your face.
Example: Jim smiles at Della.
Cry – To have tears when you are sad or happy.
Example: Della cries when she sees the gift.
Hug – To hold someone to show love.
Example: They hug each other.
Wise – Smart and full of understanding.
Example: The Magi are wise men.
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