The Gifts of the Magi. Stories

O. Henry (real name William Sydney Porter, 1862-1910) - an American writer, humorist, master of short stories with unexpected endings. The plots of his works often drew from life. While sitting in prison on charges of embezzlement, he wrote his first story. His creations had happy endings, but the author himself was not favored by fate. Thus, the famous «The Gifts of the Magi» was written after he arrived at his dying wife's side for Christmas. He managed to say goodbye to his beloved, and she presented him with her last gift - a gold chain for his watch. The woman did not know that he had sold the very watch to buy a ticket to his hometown. O. Henry won the hearts of readers with the ease of his storytelling, subtle humor, genuine emotions, and unforced morality.