Yes, "The Gift of the Magi" is indeed a work of fiction. It is a captivating short story written by American author O. Henry, a pen name for William Sydney Porter. First published in 1905, this heartwarming tale has become a beloved classic in the realm of short fiction. "The Gift of the Magi" tells the story of a young married couple, Jim and Della, who are struggling financially during the holiday season. Each of them possesses a prized possession: Della's beautiful long hair and Jim's cherished pocket watch. In a selfless act of love, they both decide to sacrifice their most precious possessions to buy meaningful gifts for each other. This timeless story captures the essence of selflessness, love, and the true spirit of gift-giving. It serves as a reminder that sometimes the greatest gifts are not material possessions, but rather the sacrifices we make and the love we share with others. If you are interested in exploring more of O. Henry's works, he is known for his distinctive storytelling style and unexpected plot twists. Some of his other notable short stories include "The Ransom of Red Chief," "The Last Leaf," and "The Cop and the Anthem." These stories showcase O. Henry's ability to artfully blend humor, irony, and humanity into his narratives. To delve deeper into the world of classic fiction, several websites provide extensive collections of short stories and literature. Project Gutenberg and ManyBooks.net, for example, offer free access to a wide range of literary works, including those by O. Henry. Whether you're a fan of well-crafted short stories, seeking inspiration for gift-giving, or simply looking for heartfelt tales that stand the test of time, "The Gift of the Magi" is a must-read. It continues to captivate readers with its enduring message and its ability to evoke emotions that resonate long after the story concludes.
Cheng Pan, an inconspicuous ordinary citizen. He grew up in a small but prosperous and secure family, treated others kindly in society, and had a stable job. This obedient baby was swept away by a strand of time and space rules. Far away from his original dimension, he embarked on a journey to explore the world and discover his true self. The divine space is a prison, and the time and space rules that collapse from the divine space are also a prison.
493.46 Million words | 2020-10-24 18:19Update
He is a talented young man; he is a serial killer who enjoys the act of murder. He suffers from schizophrenia, yet his intelligence surpasses that of ordinary individuals. Despite being a teenager, he enters a high-security prison where he immerses himself in books, self-educating and achieving great success. He has two names, one is Qin Lun and the other is Joey. Today is his execution day... (Reader discussion group:)
193.46 Million words | 2023-05-04 13:49Update
The apocalypse was brought upon the world by cards that fell from the sky, ushering in a new era. Food cards, creature cards, equipment cards, energy cards... This is a brand-new world. As someone who has survived for three years in this new world, will his journey be entirely different upon his return? Tomato's new work, "New World of the Apocalypse," presents a peculiar and unprecedented world. Guaranteed by his previous completed works, "Demon Chapter," "Peerless Martial Saint," and "Shadow Street," rest assured and enjoy your reading!
268.88 Million words | 2022-03-21 03:26Update
The Solar System Alliance, in order to explore the mysteries of the soul, secretly formed the Genius Organization - the Genesis Youth Class, bringing together young individuals with exceptional talent from the four federations of the solar system. However, a major accident occurred during their research, resulting in multiple casualties. The main culprit was imprisoned, the Youth Class disbanded, and the files were sealed and became forbidden. Five years later, at the Tianjing Mecha Military Academy, which had suffered a humiliating defeat in the Pan-Solar System Mecha Championship, an unexpected gift fell from the sky in the form of Tongshen, the first-ranked student in the Asian Mecha Preparatory Class. He embarked on a path of reconstruction, but little did he know that this was just the beginning. Unbelievable events started to occur frequently, with the center of the whirlpool being an unknown second-year student. Mecha, the ultimate romance for men. It has been almost eight years since the last Star Wars Storm. Let's together experience the charm of science fiction. This is also the ultimate version of the Storm series.
235.71 Million words | 2023-03-26 21:47Update
Demon Lord! The symbol of terror and evil! The synonym of slaughter and death! Yet, the Magic Kingdom has welcomed the most un-demon-like Demon Lord in history! "Your Majesty, please sign this document, but please be careful where you place your hand." "Lord Alan, the human army is attacking, but I will protect you with my life!" "Ugh! Stay away! You perverted Demon Lord! I can't stand you!" Oh my goodness, what is all this? I'm just an ordinary person who hopes to live a carefree life of eating and lazing around! Why did I have to become the future husband of three demon princesses and the future Demon Lord, all while having to accomplish the challenging task of resurrecting my mother-in-law? Thankfully, being a Demon Lord comes with perks, like having a Demon Lord cultivation system. But wait... What's this about completing conquest missions in other worlds?
634.45 Million words | 2022-07-17 08:36Update
On that day, a thick fog enveloped everything. On that day, he became the captain of a ghost ship. On that day, he ventured through the dense mist and confronted a world completely overturned and shattered - the former order had crumbled, eerie phenomena dominated the endless seas beyond civilized society, and isolated island cities and fleets challenging the vast ocean had become the only remaining lights of civilization. However, the shadows of the past still lurked in the deep sea, ready to continue devouring this dying world. But for the new captain of the Lost Homeward, there was only one question he needed to consider first - how the hell do you even steer this ship? The latest chapters of Deep Sea Embers can be found at:
156.88 Million words | 2020-08-17 16:47Update
A woman accidentally sent a selfie to Tang Zheng's phone. When she asked to meet him, poor Tang Zheng got into a bus accident. In the moment of death, he was transported to a mysterious, secluded room. In this room, there were many people who were supposed to be dead: flight attendants, female teachers, politicians, trust fund babies, death row inmates, bosses, and employees. They were toys, meant to be pleased with your lowly lives and sweet blood. Please fight each other! Nazi zombies chasing after you, Japanese high school girls in sailor uniforms wielding samurai swords. Game rules: you must abide by the rules...
503.94 Million words | 2022-10-09 02:31Update
A genius idiot born from incestuous marriage! A teenager with three identities - a struggling worker, a murderer, and a college student! A nightmare realm that continuously captures victims in the real world! Street Fighter, Three Kingdoms, KOF, Knights of the Round, Transforming Ninjas, Street Fighter... all the arcade games you are familiar with have become prerequisites for survival! Eight juvenile girls brutalizing Mai Shiranui, heaven and earth retaliating to kill Li Dian - everything you can imagine and beyond! On an unknown day, as you descend the stairs, you may unintentionally step into this... arcade nightmare!
431.02 Million words | 2022-09-04 12:34Update
It all begins with the protagonist downloading a game called "Fool (Beta Version)." Since then, his life has taken a different turn. It is a rudimentary game with no visuals, no music, only lines of text and numerous options that make up a text-based adventure.
200.68 Million words | 2021-05-12 22:26Update
In her past life, Lin Yingxiu gave everything, earning money to support her in-laws and her husband's education. But one day, the man she loved married a wealthy woman from a noble family. Although Lin Yingxiu was prepared to be a virtuous and noble wife, she was degraded to a concubine, and the new bride even tried to sell her... In this life, Lin Yingxiu swears to live a little selfishly and not give up everything for a man, to never allow herself to be kicked aside again.
85.58 Million words | 2020-10-15 01:22Update
In the year AD, smartphones have advanced functions like remote control, self-defense, gene restructuring, and more. On this day, a new feature that allows dimensional travel was introduced, and scientists implanted this feature into a smartphone named "Silly Girl." In an experiment, Silly Girl, in its human mode, traveled through time and space to the Tang Dynasty, where it aided Sun Wukong in subduing the Yellow Eyebrow King who plotted to eat Tang Monk's flesh. However, Silly Girl exhausted its energy, prompting scientists to urgently recall it back to the present. Unfortunately, the Yellow Eyebrow King clung onto Silly Girl's clothes and refused to let go, and due to a mistaken command by the scientists, Silly Girl and the Yellow Eyebrow King were brought to the year...
541.22 Million words | 2020-07-04 15:27Update
A decree, a forced marriage. The worthless prince, deemed a waste. The world speaks: a perfect match! With a smile on her lips, she desires only a peaceful life after experiencing life and death. In the joyous hall, his heart grows cold as ice, enduring humiliation. One day, he will trample the world under his feet. He is my husband, who dares harm him! I will eliminate them! She is my wife, whoever dares hurt her, I will avenge her! I don't believe in ghosts or gods, nor do I seek the heavens. If she were to perish, I will turn this world into a purgatory, and let this land serve as her sacrifice!
252.55 Million words | 2021-05-20 15:39Update
Zhao Guo had a beautiful woman named Taohua, who faced a bumpy fate and married afar to Wei Guo, determined to climb her way up and protect her life. In Wei Guo, there was a handsome prime minister, ruthless and cunning, who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, with no regard for anyone's life. Taohua felt that everyone desired beauty, but it didn't mean her existence should be snuffed out! Shen Zaiye smirked and showed her with his actions - he was not a normal person. "If you're capable, shoot an arrow and kill me and another!" Taohua shouted with her head held high. "Alright, farewell," Shen Zaiye calmly waved his hand and gave the order. The feathered arrow flew past her ear, sending a chilling sensation throughout her body. It was only then that Jiang Taohua realized that Shen Zaiye wasn't joking. He really intended to kill her. "Your life is mine, I can take it whenever I want," Shen Zaiye said leisurely, his gaze fell behind her, suddenly becoming sharp. "But only I can take it!" This is a thrilling story of a battle of wits between a man and a woman, a passionate and intense tale. Shen Zaiye had a hundred ways to kill Jiang Taohua, while Jiang Taohua had a hundred and one ways to make him spare her. The old fox may not necessarily win, and the white rabbit isn't guaranteed to lose either. In this beautiful spring scenery, who will ultimately emerge victorious in this vast world?
71.37 Million words | 2022-11-11 09:30Update
The world turned into an apocalypse in an instant, with zombies and mutated creatures running rampant. Humanity struggled desperately to survive in this new world. Yue Zhong fought hard to stay alive in the midst of the apocalypse, but it was incredibly difficult. When Yue Zhong and his team overcame countless hardships and reclaimed the entire country from the hands of zombies and mutated creatures, he suddenly realized that he had only passed the first level. In this post-nuclear explosion world filled with nuclear radiation, mutated humans, radioactive beasts, and extremely scarce resources, ancient creatures like dinosaurs roamed freely. In this evolved world, intelligent dinosaur-human hybrids, with their powerful racial abilities and physical prowess ten times that of a human, ruled over the society.
497.68 Million words | 2023-05-25 11:48Update
He was once a commoner, only eighteen years old, yet proclaimed a king! His name was Ning Bei! For ten years, the northern borderlands were filled with his fame. Finally, upon his triumphant return to his hometown, on the day he arrived in the capital, he would kill three people...
179.57 Million words | 2022-01-19 18:50Update
Spiritual rejuvenation, mysterious arrival, rules changing, times shifting. I am the original superhuman, also the world's strongest. In fact, I did not die, I was just trapped on a deserted island.
100.92 Million words | 2022-09-10 12:04Update
The universe, this endless starry sky, is the dream of every hunter. For hunters who roam among the stars, only the universe is their limit. Does the universe have limits? Where are those limits? After accidentally obtaining a mysterious chip, Xilin, a young shadow hunter, embarks on a journey into this boundless starry sky. A lighthearted adventure story, not torturing the main characters. Please feel free to bookmark it. ^^ Also, check out my new book "Going back in time and turning into a cat", a city life genre, not cultivation.
176.34 Million words | 2020-10-03 15:11Update
◆ "Metro," a million-selling game masterpiece and representative of Russian post-apocalyptic science fiction novels ◆ The Russian version sold one million copies within months and dominated the bestseller list for several months, with book rights sold in Europe and the United States ◆ The game adaptation "Metro: Exodus" received wide acclaim, with a Metacritic average score of 9.0, IGN rating of 9.2, and "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews from nearly 50,000 players on Steam ◆ The desolate city, cold platforms, dark tunnels, lurking monsters, weary soldiers, and the rich scent of vodka by the campfire... The unique world-building, realistic post-apocalyptic scenes, and captivating and "gritty" stories have won over countless readers and players ◆ The long-awaited trilogy finally concludes! It includes the highly anticipated grand finale "Metro" and specially features additional stories "Artyom's Gospel" and "The End of the Road." The "side missions" are equally thrilling ◆ Translated directly from Russian by experienced translators to preserve the original profound and delicate writing style; referencing multiple versions such as the English and Polish editions, meticulously fine-tuning each proprietary term, and adding cultural annotations unique to Russian geography, politics, customs, etc., ensuring a seamless and fluent reading experience. This time, no more regrets!
300.34 Million words | 2020-12-01 19:13Update
I don't know if you've ever heard of them, but there are people in the world who don't need any tangible contact. With just a flicker of insight or a sudden thought, they can learn a great deal. Their eyes can see through the past, perceive the present, and even unravel the future. They can see what you see through your eyes, smell what you smell through your nose, taste what you taste through your tongue, and delve into your thoughts through your heart. These people are known to the outside world as "mediums". Brief summary: A story about a dormant jerk who awakens and starts walking.
495.93 Million words | 2023-03-27 04:54Update
The story begins with a card. Education card: bears contemporary significance. Vision card: discovers treasures by sight. First aid card: saves a delicate female police officer. Transport card: silently moves mountains of gold. Energy card: lights up without consuming oil. Shadow card: carries portable entertainment. Sound card: alternative MP3 player. First-class cardholder (-Star): achieves great success in a specific field and leaves remarkable accomplishments. Second-class cardholder (-Star): makes significant contributions in all endeavors. Third-class cardholder (-Star): reportedly limited to no more than ten individuals worldwide, the highest level of cardholder. However, the absolute requirement to become a three-star cardholder is to accomplish numerous historic discoveries and create monumental achievements with global impact.
209.50 Million words | 2021-06-10 11:43Update
