The great short-story writer O'Henry first published "The Gift of the Magi" in 1906. The Magi, the three wise men who traveled afar to bear gifts on the infant Jesus, are symbols of the spirit of gift giving.

O'Henry's short story builds on that spirit as he relates the struggle of a young, impoverished couple -- a husband and wife who each  make an extreme sacrifice to buy a Christmas gift for the other.

I took a stab at updating the legendary tale to reflect more contemporary times. You can read it here.