This is O. Henry’s classic American short story about a young husband and wife who are very much in love, but who have no money. Christmas is coming, and each wants to buy a special gift. And so each comes up with a secret plan… what could possibly go wrong? This adaptation is suitable for readers at the high intermediate level (CEFR B2), and includes discussion questions and a vocabulary section. In addition, the original, unchanged story is included at the back of the book for those learners who want an extra challenge.

"The Gift of the Magi" is a short story by O. Henry first published in 1905. The story tells of a young husband and wife and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. As a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving, it has been popular for adaptation, especially for presentation at Christmas time.

Reading level: 1 [green].

Presents sixteen short fiction stories by nineteenth-century American author O. Henry, including the title work about the Christmas sacrifices of a young married couple.

The holidays are for giving thanks and nothing can stop this Gingerbread Man from delivering his to his favorite member of the community! Everyone in class is busy practicing songs and making goodies for their trip to town to thank community helpers, and the Gingerbread Man has made a card for someone extra sweet. But before he can deliver his gift, whipping wind and swirling snow come to town, too. Slushy sidewalks are no place for a cookie, but this Gingerbread Man won’t let a little bad weather stop him! “I’ll search on my own, as fast as I can! I’ll dash through this snow. I’m the Gingerbread Man!” With all the flavors of the season and generous dashes of kindness and gratitude, the Gingerbread Man’s newest adventure makes for a perfect read-aloud throughout the holidays. Look for all of this hilarious Gingerbread Man's adventures: The Gingerbread Man Loose at School, The Gingerbread Man Loose on the Fire Truck, The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas, The Gingerbread Man Loose at the Zoo, and The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School!

This resource provides a written copy of the short story as well as a glossary to use for the study of O. Henry's 'The Gift of the Magi'. The highlighted sections can be selected for quick access to the relevant recital video.

In a world where the value of a liberal arts education is no longer taken for granted, Mark William Roche lucidly and passionately argues for its essential importance. Drawing on more than thirty years of experience in higher education as a student, faculty member, and administrator, Roche deftly connects the broad theoretical perspective of educators to the practical needs and questions of students and their parents. Roche develops three overlapping arguments for a strong liberal arts education: first, the intrinsic value of learning for its own sake, including exploration of the profound questions that give meaning to life; second, the cultivation of intellectual virtues necessary for success beyond the academy; and third, the formative influence of the liberal arts on character and on the development of a sense of higher purpose and vocation. Together with his exploration of these three values—intrinsic, practical, and idealistic—Roche reflects on ways to integrate them, interweaving empirical data with personal experience. Why Choose the Liberal Arts? is an accessible and thought-provoking work of interest to students, parents, and administrators.

O'Henry's "Tobin's Palm" is a short story about one friend trying to distract the other who is very troubled about why his fiance from Ireland has not reach America yet and she be carrying his money from his inherited estate, so a trip to Coney Island is ordered to calm his nerves. O. Henry's short stories are well known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization and clever twist endings.

Boris is a musician, playing the songs he learned growing up in Russia. Stella is a baker, baking cakes and pastries like her father used to back in Italy. Boris and Stella live in the city and are best friends. They like movies, hats, and each other. At holiday time, Stella wants to give Boris the perfect present for Hanukkah. She wants him to know how special he is. Boris wants to give Stella the perfect present for Christmas—she means so much to him. But perfect presents cost money and their savings banks contain very little. To make their dreams of perfect presents come true, Boris and Stella each sacrifice something very special. In a nod to O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi comes this tender story celebrating traditions, friendships, and gifts from the heart.

A level 2 Oxford Bookworms Library graded reader. This version includes an audio book: listen to the story as you read. Retold for Learners of English by Diane Mowat. A housewife, a tramp, a lawyer, a waitress, an actress - ordinary people living ordinary lives in New York at the beginning of the twentieth century. The city has changed greatly since that time, but its people are much the same. Some are rich, some are poor, some are happy, some are sad, some have found love, some are looking for love. O. Henry's famous short stories - sensitive, funny, sympathetic - give us vivid pictures of the everyday lives of these New Yorkers.