O. Henry: The Gift of the Magi

Have you read the short story "The Gift of the Magi" by the author O. Henry? It is one of my favorite short stories. O. Henry was the pen name of William Sydney Porter, born in 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina,  O. Henry wrote most of his works while living in New York City until he died in 1910.

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The Gift of the Magi is not the bible story about the three magi from Persia, who followed a bright star to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to baby Jesus, 2014 years ago on January 6th, and now celebrated as "The Feast of the Epiphany," but rather a sentimental story about a struggling young New York City couple in the early 1900s who gave up their greatest possessions to give each other a very special Christmas gift.

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You can read the entire short story here, or watch an adapted 1952 video version of the story on YouTube, in three parts, beginning with part one- here. This video version of the story, acted by Jeanne Crain and Farley Grange, is beautifully done. I think you would enjoy viewing it, as the simplicity of the era and heartfelt sacrifice of the couple is very touching to witness. This adaptation has become a true Christmas classic!

O. Henry penned The Gift of the Magi while sitting in his favorite booth in Pete's Tavern, located at 129 East 18th Street in Manhattan.  Established in 1864, Pete's Tavern is New York City's oldest continually operating restaurant and bar.  If you go to this link on their website, you can see some of the beautiful original architectural features that remain inside, such as the warm brick walls, all-wood booths lined with memorabilia, tin ceilings, and an original gas lamp chandelier. My husband and I visited Pete's Tavern last December when we still lived in New York City, and I took these photos then.

As you can see on a plaque on the front of Pete's Tavern not only did O. Henry find inspiration here but also Ludwig Bemelmans, who penned one of his famous children's books called "Madeline" here!

The inside of Pete's Tavern was lit with Christmas lights when we visited and was fairly crowded with pre-holiday revelers.

My husband and I had dinner there and then enjoyed some of the other sights of the Christmas season in Manhattan.

On the way out I took this quick photo of the O. Henry booth, trying not to disturb the diners seated there.  I hope someday, on a future visit, to be able to sit in this booth myself! Perhaps, if I am very lucky, some literary inspiration will seep into my mind as it did O. Henry's?  Smile.

As O.Henry wrote at the end of his story The Gift of the Magi:

"The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in the last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi."
I hope I've encouraged you to read this tale and perhaps some other of his many short stories, and perhaps make a visit to Pete's Tavern if you journey into Manhattan one day! I always enjoy finding the spots where literary geniuses wrote or were inspired to write, and Pete's Tavern's rich history is truly a gem!