The
Gift of the
Magi
Once upon a time in a little town
that was the most
Christmassy town around,
Brother
Jim and
Sister
Heather
lived there in a tiny house together.
Jim and
Heather didn't have any gold
or coins or paper money to be told.
But this was usually not a bother,
because they both had each other.
One
Christmas
Eve, it snowed and snowed.
Heather went down the icy road.
She wanted to buy
Jim a
Christmas gift.
Over the shops the snow did drift.
Heather stared in the bright window.
Holly and candy canes all in a row.
Beautiful presents were piled up high.
Oh, I've got no money,
she cried.
Heather had an idea, quick as a flash.
Back through the snow she did dash.
Upstairs to her bedroom she ran,
excited about her special plan.
Inside the wardrobe was her special dress,
all glittery blue and made to impress.
Covered in ribbons, silver and red.
I'll swap it for
Jim's gift, she said.
Heather took her to the dress
shop and asked,
Miss
Jiggy, can I do a swap?
Of course dear, plump
Miss
Jiggy said.
Choose whatever you'd like instead.
Heather saw a beautiful watch chain
that looped around and around again.
It was as gold as butterscotch and
Jim had no chain for his watch.
Can I have this please?" she said,
and swapped the dress for the chain instead.
She knew
Jim's present was the best.
What it was, he couldn't have guessed.
Jim came home later through the snow.
At home,
Heather's cheeks were all aglow.
Jim, I've got you a present! she cried.
I've got you one too, he replied.
Have you?
Heather
said surprised.
This was a
Christmas
Eve to be prized.
Here it is,
Jim said very excited.
She opened the parcel so delighted.
A huge, shiny blue bow was inside.
Heather stared at it wide -eyed.
Jim said,
It's for your special dress, sis.
Gah!
She said,
I didn't expect this.
Oh, don't you like it?" said poor
Jim.
Then she gave his present to him.
He ripped the paper wide open and
the watch chain sparkled inside.
Suddenly,
Jim gave a great guffaw.
Ha!
He giggled loudly at what he saw.
Dearest sis,
did you do a swap for this present at
Miss
Jiggy's shop?
Uh, yes, I swapped my dress,
she said.
Jim laughed more and shook his head.
I swapped my watch to get your bow.
Now your dress is gone. I didn't know.
But you swapped your dress for me,
and I swapped my watch, as you see.
It shows how much we care for each other,
dearest sis, how we love one another.