The Gift of the Magi (Henry)
from the Collection « Four Million»
Della and her husband, Jim, live in a small apartment and don't have much money.
Della has been saving for months to buy Jim a present for Christmas. But when she counts the money she has saved, she only has $1.87. Della is upset and starts crying.
Della and Jim both have things that are special to them. Jim has a gold watch that has been passed down through his family, and Della has long, beautiful hair. Della decides to sell her hair to buy Jim a present. She goes to a hair salon and sells her hair for twenty dollars. With this money, she buys Jim a chain for his watch.
When Jim comes home, he surprises Della with a present for her - a set of combs for her hair. They both realize that they have given each other the most valuable things they own. Even though they don't have much, they are happy and grateful to have each other.
Don't make any mistake, Dell, ... about me. I don't think there's anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less.
In the end, Della looks at herself in the mirror and is happy with her husband and their life together.