The Wisest Givers

The magi, as you know, were wise men — wonderfully wise men — who brought gifts to the newborn Christ-child. They were the first to give Christmas gifts. Being wise, their gifts were doubtless wise ones. And here I have told you the story of two children who were not wise. Each sold the most valuable thing he owned in order to buy a gift for the other. But let me speak a last word to the wise of these days: Of all who give gifts, these two were the most wise. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the most wise. Everywhere they are the wise ones. They are the magi.

---VOCABULARY---

**furnished rooms** — rooms that are rented with furniture already inside; the tenant does not need to bring their own

**to put aside** — to save money gradually, a little at a time, for a future purpose

**looking-glass** — an old word for a mirror

**to master an art** — to become very skilled at something through practice

**to fall to its complete length** — to come down fully and hang loose; used here to describe Della's hair

**jewels** — precious stones such as diamonds or rubies, used in expensive jewellery

**plain** — simple in appearance, without decoration; not fancy

**material** — the substance something is made from; here it refers to the quality of the gold

**a watch chain** — a small chain used to attach a pocket watch to a piece of clothing so it cannot be lost

**to labor** — to work hard at something; here used to mean Jim was struggling to understand what had seen

**an expression** — a look on someone's face that shows what they are feeling

**large-hearted** — generous; willing to give a lot to others

**doubtless** — certainly; without doubt

**the magi** — the three wise men from the Bible who brought gifts to the baby Jesus; the word is used in the story to mean people who give with great wisdom and love

---QUESTIONS---

**Chapter : One Dollar and Eighty-Seven Cents** . How much money did Della have, and how had she saved it? . What was happening the next day, and why was this a problem? . What do we learn about the apartment where Della and Jim lived?

**Chapter : The Most Beautiful Hair** . What were the two things that the James Dillingham Youngs were most proud of? . How does the author describe Della's hair? . What decision did Della make after standing in front of the mirror?

**Chapter : Twenty Dollars** . Where did Della go, and what did she do there? . How much money did she receive, and how much did she spend on Jim's gift? . What did she buy for Jim, and why did she think it was perfect for him?

**Chapter : Jim Comes Home** . How did Della feel as she waited for Jim to come home? . How did Jim react when he saw Della? Describe his expression. . What did Della say to explain what she had done?

**Chapter : The Gifts** . What was inside the package that Jim brought home? . Why were these gifts painful for Della to receive? . What had Jim done to buy Della's gift? . Why could neither of them use their gift that evening?

**Chapter : The Wisest Givers** . Who were the magi, and why does the author mention them? . The author says Della and Jim "were not wise." What does he mean? Do you agree? . In what way does the author say they were actually the wisest of all?