О. Henry A Great Master A Great Master of Short Stories

was brought up - был воспитан a pharmacist - фармацевт a drugstore - аптека a cashier - кассир an accountant - бухгалтер was fired from - был уволен was fired from - был уволен accuse in shortage - обвинять в растрате accuse in shortage - обвинять в растрате was caught and brought to prison- был схвачен и отправлен в тюрьму Funeral - похороны Funeral - похороны be established - быть учреждённым be established - быть учреждённым Treasure - сокровище Treasure - сокровище Sacrifice for the sake of – жертва ради… Sacrifice for the sake of – жертва ради…

The short biography The famous American writer O. Henry (his real name is William Sydney Porter) was born on the 11 th of September in 1862 in Greensboro, the State of North Carolina. He is the author of over 280 stories and sketches.

At the age of 3 he lost his mother who had died. He was brought up by his aunt. After leaving school he worked as a pharmacist in a drugstore, was a clerk in the Agricultural Department. His last job was a cashier and an accountant in a bank of the city of Austin, state Texas.

He started to write at the beginning of His first stories appeared in the weekly magazine “Rolling Stone”, which was published in Austin in But a year later the magazine was closed and William Porter was fired from the bank and accused in shortage, though his relatives compensated it. He started to write at the beginning of His first stories appeared in the weekly magazine “Rolling Stone”, which was published in Austin in But a year later the magazine was closed and William Porter was fired from the bank and accused in shortage, though his relatives compensated it.

During the next year William Porter was hiding in Honduras, then in South America. But finally he returned to the USA where he was caught and brought to prison for 3 years.

Why “O. Henry"? It was a prison where he began to write his stories under the nickname “O. Henry”. The origin of his nickname isn’t clear. O. Henry himself explained that he had borrowed this name from a column of news in the newspapers and letter “O” was taken as the simplest letter.

. Guy Devenpont, one of O. Henry’s biographers said that O. Henry was just the shortened title of the prison where O. Henry had to spend 3 years. It meant Ohio Penitentiary. Guy Devenpont, one of O. Henry’s biographers said that O. Henry was just the shortened title of the prison where O. Henry had to spend 3 years. It meant Ohio Penitentiary.

Unluckily he died rather young. Unluckily he died rather young. O. Henry was only 48 when he fell ill. The last week of his life O. Henry spent in loneliness in a miserable hotel room. His funeral was held in accordance to his plot.

Despite of his early death he became one of the most outstanding short stories writer whose works are translated into many foreign languages. In our country he is often called “American Chekhov”.

8 years later after his death the prize in the honor of O. Henry was established. It is handed every year. As a master of short stories O. Henry left the list of following sets of stories:

“The Four Million” 1906 “The Trimmed Lamp” 1907 “Heart Of The West” 1907 “The Gentle Grafter” 1908 “The Voice Of The City” 1908 “Roads Of Destiny” 1909 “Options” 1909 “Whirligigs” 1910 “Strictly Business” 1910 “Sixes And Sevens” 1911 “Rolling Stones” 1912 “Waifs And Strays” 1917

“The Gift of the Magi”

On Christmas Eve, a young married couple, Jim and Della Dillingham — finds that they don't have enough money for holiday gifts to each other. On Christmas Eve, a young married couple, Jim and Della Dillingham — finds that they don't have enough money for holiday gifts to each other. Della decided to sell her luxury brown curls (part of the treasure, which was the subject of their common “pride”) and to buy her husband a chain for his platinum gold watches (" treasure "). Della decided to sell her luxury brown curls (part of the treasure, which was the subject of their common “pride”) and to buy her husband a chain for his platinum gold watches (" treasure "). In the evening, Jim came home with a gift for his wife. And it turns out that Jim had sold his watch to buy an expensive set of ridges, which have long dreamed of Della. In the evening, Jim came home with a gift for his wife. And it turns out that Jim had sold his watch to buy an expensive set of ridges, which have long dreamed of Della. But this does not spoil the celebration of two loving hearts. But this does not spoil the celebration of two loving hearts.

The story is an interpretation of the Bible story about the worship of the wise men. The main characters are compared with the wise men who came to the newborn baby Jesus with their gifts

The author wants to make it clear: if the legendary Kings were famous for their treasures, the Dillingham family has no less spiritual wealth. The author wants to make it clear: if the legendary Kings were famous for their treasures, the Dillingham family has no less spiritual wealth. The story in general is built on the contrasts — the couple's old grey home, the surrounding reality is also not very bright. However, Jim and Della with their love paint the world. Thanks to that the readers have no gloomy, uncomfortable feelings The story in general is built on the contrasts — the couple's old grey home, the surrounding reality is also not very bright. However, Jim and Della with their love paint the world. Thanks to that the readers have no gloomy, uncomfortable feelings

“The power of love and sacrifice for the sake of a loved one”

Thanks for your attention! Thanks for your attention!