The Gifts of the Magi

Bank employee William Sidney Porter spent three years in prison for embezzlement, where, inspired by the stories of his fellow inmates, he wrote his first short story under the pseudonym O. Henry, which soon brought him fame. 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, while she presented him with her last gift — a gold watch chain for his pocket watch. The woman did not know that he had sold that very watch to buy a ticket back to his hometown.
Each novella from the incorrigible romantic and the most brilliant storyteller in America is characterized by brilliant and subtle humor, sharp dialogue, unpredictable plot twists, and colorful characters. The variety of stories included in the collection showcases the multifaceted talent of O. Henry.