The Gift of the Magi

-O.Henry
(dramatizing)

CHARACTERS:

Della
Jim- Della boyfriend
Lady Sofronie

ACT 1.
SCENE 1
(Christmas Eve! A modest house, downstairs is a letter-box , on the table is a old card. Della
sit on the couch and cry.)
DELLA: Ohh( She wipe tears and looked up, an looked up to the window). I have
only $1.87, tommorrow is Christmas, and and I dont have enough money to buy a gift for
Jim. My Jim! (She was looked in the mirror, and suddenly she was dressed and left) I am
determined that I want to do this. Mme. Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds This is the
place!
( Mme. Sofronie and Della talks about Dellas hair)
DELLA: Will you buy my hair?
MME. SOFRONIE: I buy. Take yer hat off and lets have a sight at the looks of it.
Twenty dollars.
DELLA: Give it tom e quick. Now Im happy, because I have enough money to buy a
expensive gift for my dear Jim. This is it! This chain fits perfectly with his watch pocket.
( After, she goes home , she arranges her hair that was left). If Jim doesnt kill me, before he
takes a second look ar me, hell say I look like a Coney Island chours girl. But what could I
do-oh! What could I do with a dollar and eighty-seven cents?
SCENE 2
( Its 7 oclock. Della are waiting for Jim. She was very excited when she heard the footsteps
of Jim. He eneters)
DELLA: Jim, darling ( she cried) dont look at me that way. I had my hair cut off and
sold because I couldnt have lived through Christmas without giving you a present. Itill grow
aut again- ypu wont mind, will you? I just had to do it. My hair grows awfully fast. Say
Merry Christmas! Jim, and let be happy. You dont know what a nice-what a beautiful,
nice gift Ive got for you.
JIM: Youve cut off your hair?
DELLA: Cut it off and sold it. Dont you lik me just as well, anyhow? Im me without
my hair, aint I?
JIM: You say your hair is gone?

DELLA: You neednt look for it, its sold, I tell you-sold and gone, too. Its Christmas
Eve, boy. Be good tom e, for it went for you. Maybe the hairs of my head were numbered, but
nobody could ever count my love for you. Shall I put the chops on, Jim?
JIM: Dont make any mistake, Dell. I dont think theres anything in the way of a
haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less. But is youll
unwarp that package you may see why you had me going a while at first!
DELLA: Isnt it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to fiind it. Youll have to look at
the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it.
JIM: ( He smile) Dell, lets put our Christmas presents away and keepem a while.
Theyre too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs.
And now suppose you put the chops on.
(Both enjoy the gifts received, spending perhaps the most beautiful Christmas in their lives)
Curtain closes!