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O. Henry: The Gift of the Magi. Summary and analysis

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry is a story about love and sacrifice on Christmas Eve. Della and Jim, a young couple struggling with poverty, each sell something precious to buy a gift for the other. Della sells her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della’s hair. When they exchange gifts, they realise the futility of their sacrifices but also the depth of their love. The story shows that the greatest gifts are those born of selflessness and devotion.

O. Henry: The Gift of the Magi

The Gift of the Magi is a short story by O. Henry, first published in The New York Sunday World on 10 December 1905. The narrative revolves around Delia and Jim, a young couple residing in a modest apartment. On Christmas Eve, with only a meagre sum of barely a dollar and eighty-seven cents to her name, Delia finds herself in a desperate situation, striving to procure a suitable gift for her husband. Driven by a profound sense of affection, she makes a decision that entails significant personal deprivation. The poignant and straightforward account illuminates the value of altruistic love and the sacrifices one is willing to make for those they hold most dear.

George R. R. Martin: In the Lost Lands. Summary and analysis

In In the Lost Lands by George R.R. Martin, Gray Alys, a mysterious woman capable of granting any wish, is tasked by the noble Lady Melange to provide the power of shapeshifting. Accompanied by Boyce, a charismatic guide, Gray Alys ventures into the desolate Lost Lands to find a werewolf. Along the way, secrets unravel: Boyce is the wolf, and Gray Alys’s true abilities are revealed.

Isaac Asimov: A Statue For Father

“A Statue for Father” is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov published in Satellite Science Fiction in February 1959. Through the voice of the son of a visionary scientist, it tells the fascinating story of an accidental discovery that revolutionized humanity. The father, a stubborn physicist passionate about time travel, works tirelessly on his research, facing ridicule and disinterest from the scientific community. Although the chronotunnels do not work as he had hoped, a stroke of luck brings about something extraordinary: a bridge between the past and the present. This finding, which initially seems like a modest step forward, changes history unexpectedly.

Truman Capote: A Christmas Memory

“A Christmas Memory” is a touching short story by Truman Capote, published in Mademoiselle in December 1956. In a nostalgic autumn in the southern United States, a seven-year-old boy and his quirky and loving cousin prepare to carry out their annual tradition of making fruit pies to give away at Christmas. Bound by a close friendship, they roam the countryside gathering fruit and visiting unique corners of the village to gather the necessary ingredients. For them, Christmas is not just another social event, but an intimate ritual that celebrates tenderness, imagination, and the bonds of the heart.

Ray Bradbury: The Gift

“The Gift” is a short story by Ray Bradbury, first published in Esquire in December 1952. A family sets out on its first space journey on Christmas Eve. The boy is thrilled by the adventure, but his parents worry about how to celebrate the holiday in the emptiness of space—especially after customs has confiscated the present they had prepared. Now the father must find a creative way to keep the magic of Christmas alive for his son, proving that the Christmas spirit can shine anywhere, even among the stars.