"You see," said the widow, "I was married once, before your father was born. I was married to a man named Charley, and he was a miner. He met his death in a mine down in the west Texas hills. We had

1. “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.” This sentence from the author is making a statement about the two characters in the story, Della and Jim, who despite the financial challenges of their situation were still able to give each other meaningful gifts. It is a tribute to their love for each other and their ability to prioritize their relationship over material goods. I think it is an important reminder that love should always be valued over material goods. 2. “She had cut off her beautiful hair which fell about her, rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters.” The author uses this description to show the lengths to which Della was willing to go to give her beloved Jim a meaningful gift. She sacrificed her long, beautiful hair in order to purchase a chain for his heirloom watch. It paints a vivid picture of her dedication and love for Jim, and I think it speaks to the idea that the greatest gift of love is not something that can be purchased. 3. “He had wanted to keep it to read in his leisure moments, but he had been afraid she would think he was a spendthrift.” This line from the story reveals the conflict that Jim was feeling between wanting to show Della he cared and obeying his own moral values of not being wasteful with his spending. It provides insight into his character and how much he was willing to sacrifice for the sake of his relationship. I think it speaks to the importance of understanding your partner’s needs and values.