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As It Happens

'Fireside' Al Maitland reads Christmas classic The Gift of the Magi

Words of the wise. A young couple in love, wanting to buy each other the perfect present. But they soon learn that the best present cannot be purchased.

O. Henry's 1905 story about unselfish love is part of the As It Happens annual holiday reading series

CBC Radio ·
A yellow-tinged illustration of an old-fashioned man and woman looking at each other.
Jim and Della from O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi. (McClure, Phillips, and Company)
As It Happens13:11The Gift of the Magi

Della and Jim. Two names synonymous with foolish, unselfish love.

In O. Henry's short story The Gift of the Magi, Della and Jim live a very modest life. But at Christmastime they want to surprise each other with the nicest presents possible.

In the end, they realize that the best presents cannot be bought.

Late As It Happens host "Fireside" Al Maitland reads O. Henry's Christmas classic.