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Pructus Posted 19 years ago
Vocabulary
THE GIFT OF THE MAGI
Following is the last paragraph from " THE GIFT OF THE MAGI" by O. Henry.
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 a 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.
The underlined part is hard to understand. Anyone understands willing to help?
The magi, as you know, were wise men-
The underlined part is hard to understand. Anyone understands willing to help?
Top answer
This is all joking/ironical. In case there are several children in a family, Santa avoids bringing them the same gifts, for the sake of variety, I assume. g.
- This is all joking/ironical.
- In case there are several children in a family, Santa avoids bringing them the same gifts, for the sake of variety, I assume.
- g.
- by letting the parents go to a store and exchange them.
- Same with the Magi.
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5 Answers
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This is all joking/ironical.
In case there are several children in a family, Santa avoids bringing them the same gifts, for the sake of variety, I assume. Still, if they are duplicates of each other, Santa promises that he will exchange them, e.g. by letting the parents go to a store and exchange them. Same with the Magi.
In case there are several children in a family, Santa avoids bringing them the same gifts, for the sake of variety, I assume. Still, if they are duplicates of each other, Santa promises that he will exchange them, e.g. by letting the parents go to a store and exchange them. Same with the Magi.
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Thanks Guru!
I get it....
What I get is, the gifts are good and precious that each gift is guaranteed to be exchanged for another....
I get it....
What I get is, the gifts are good and precious that each gift is guaranteed to be exchanged for another....
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The gifts aren't necessarily "good and precious," even if they may be so seen by the children or parents.
If Mary receives the same thing as John, the parents can go to the store and exchange them for something else.
If Mary receives the same thing as John, the parents can go to the store and exchange them for something else.
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I have a dififerent interpretation, although I agree with the joking sense of it.
I think it means if you get the same gift from more than one person, you can exchange one of them at the store for something you like better or need more. For example, when we got married, we got THREE woks. Two of them were exchanged for other household items.
Because "Santa" is really Mom and Da
I think it means if you get the same gift from more than one person, you can exchange one of them at the store for something you like better or need more. For example, when we got married, we got THREE woks. Two of them were exchanged for other household items.
Because "Santa" is really Mom and Da
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I think GG makes a good point here on getting the same gift from more than one person ....
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