O’ Henry and the Spirit of Giving

After teaching for some years in Australia, it is only after the reports are completed that I can at last breathe a sigh of relief and look at the festive season. It is only tonight that my list was made for gifts, although rather slim under the circumstances, (less cash than usual) lack of $ somehow turns Christmas into a more meaningful event. Why? One needs to really put thought into the gift because we want the gift to “mean” something for the receiver.

This reminds me of an O’Henry story.

I cannot remember the title but recall reading it as a teenager, and it having a significant affect on my basic outlook on Christmas and the world.

It has been many years since reading this gem, so bare with my sparse and general prose, at least, hopefully the basic theme, the “message”, will be made clear:

Around the 19th century in grand old London, a couple lived in a very small flat on the East end, but a flat was only large enough to cook their breakfast and dinner, and sleep together in a single bed. Their home was humble yet clean as the wife ensured their home remained spotless, their sheets crisp and white; their windows clear, ensuring what little sun they captured, would shine through…

Unfortunately the husband lost his job as a clock maker because times were hard and people could not purchase fine crafted time pieces. But it was Christmas, and the season for giving, acknowledging life’s miracles and the birth of a true Man of God.

In only a few weeks all their money had evaporated, not from frivolous wants but from basic needs.

One thing you should know about this special couple is that they were wonderfully in love. Fine home, beautiful clothes, objects of beauty made no difference to them, as long as they had each other.

She had the longest most beautiful hair in London. In fact people on the streets, both gentleman and lady, would stop her and comment on its colour, sheen and magnificent appeal.

He, though dressed in an old suit, managed to maintain an air of respectability. His most prized possession was a gold pocket watch that had been given to him from his father, which had been given to his father from his grandfather and so on. The watch had been in his family for many years.

Carelessly, as a young man, he lost the gold chain that was attached to the watch. From that day on, he kept the watch in a special box above the fire place, fearing he would lose the object that represented a long and important family tradition.

Christmas meant so much to both of them.

Because of the intense love they had for each other, both felt a need to give each other a gift at this most important time of the year. But with no money, what could they do?

On Christmas Eve, both ventured out into the city determined to find the most perfect present.

Christmas morning arrived and they rose from their single bed to the chilling cold of their flat.

Excited he opened his present first to find a gold chain for his most precious gold watch.

She looked at her lover’s face to find disappointment. Why would he not want a gold chain to wear his precious watch?

His lover opened her present to find the most beautiful ivory comb for her lovely long hair.

They looked at each other and the truth had become clear to both: She removed a string from her hair to reveal that she had cut her beautiful hair.

“I am sorry my love! I had to cut my hair to sell it to buy the gold chain for your watch!”

He smiled though felt a pang of guilt.

“I am sorry my love! I sold my gold watch to buy this ivory comb for your lovely hair.”

To them it did not matter.

It was Christmas and they had each other.

This is a wonderful story about the true spirit of giving.

I’ve never ever forgotten this beautiful tale and seem to remember it at this time of the season.