I don't know about you, but people in my church seem to like to tell the Gift of the Magi story at least once a year. You know, the poor couple who sacrifice to get Christmas gifts for each other, so she cuts her prized hair to get him a chain for his grandfather's watch, and he sells the watch to buy her fancy combs... blah, blah, blah. It's all very touching or something. The first time I heard it, I think I found it touching, and also quite exasperating, because I hate when people have horrible miscommunication like that in stories and we are supposed to Learn Something. What I have learned is that this couple was stupid. Because,for #1: It's just freaking hair. It will grow back. I don't get people who act that way over hair.
And for #2, you sold a family keepsake??? For her hair? Blech.
And for #3,how is this some big lesson on giving? I mean, they are making enough money to have housing, food, heat, and clothes. They're getting by. Wouldn't a larger sacrifice be to give a gift to Tiny Tim or something instead of each other? Call me a cynic, but if you give a gift to your spouse, you totally get something out of it. Like, you know, a pleasant living environment and the lack of fear that said spouse will kill you in your sleep.
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