A poor young couple. Two treasures. Two secret plans for Christmas.
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First, let's learn eight words. Read each word and its sentence, guess the meaning, then click Reveal to check. Say each word out loud.
Read each part. Then try the questions from memory, and talk about the last one.
Della counted her money. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And tomorrow was Christmas.
Della and her husband Jim were young and very poor. They lived in a small, old flat. But they had two treasures. Jim had a beautiful gold watch. It came from his father, and before that, from his grandfather. Della had wonderful long brown hair. It fell down her back like water, almost to her knees.
Della wanted to buy Jim a Christmas present — a really good present. But what could she buy with one dollar and eighty-seven cents? She sat down on the old sofa and cried.
1. How much money does Della have?
2. What are the two treasures?
1. One dollar and eighty-seven cents — and tomorrow is Christmas.
2. Jim's gold watch (from his father and grandfather) and Della's beautiful long hair.
Suddenly Della had an idea. She stood in front of the mirror and let her hair down. It was beautiful. Then she put on her old brown coat and ran out of the door.
She stopped at a shop with a sign: "Madame Sofronie. We buy hair." Della went in. "Will you buy my hair?" she asked. "Twenty dollars," said Madame Sofronie. Della said yes. The woman cut off all her long hair.
Then Della was happy. She had money, so she could buy Jim's present! She looked in many shops, and at last she found the perfect thing: a simple, beautiful chain for Jim's gold watch. She paid twenty-one dollars and hurried home. Her head was now covered in small curls. "I hope Jim still likes me," she thought.
1. What does Della sell, and how much money does she get?
2. What present does she buy for Jim?
1. She sells her long hair for twenty dollars.
2. A beautiful chain for his gold watch.
Jim came home. He looked at Della and her short hair — and he stopped. He didn't speak. He just looked and looked. Della was afraid. "Jim, don't be angry!" she said. "I sold my hair because I wanted to buy you a beautiful present."
Jim smiled and took a small packet from his coat. "Open it," he said. Della opened it — and cried out. Inside were the combs. The beautiful combs for long hair! She had seen them in a shop window many times and loved them. But now her long hair was gone.
Della smiled through her tears. "My hair grows fast, Jim!" Then she gave him her present: the watch chain. "Do you like it? Give me your watch — let's see them together!" But Jim sat down on the sofa and smiled. "Della," he said, "let's put our presents away and keep them for some time. They are too nice to use just now. I sold the watch because I wanted to buy your combs."
1. What is Jim's present for Della? Why is it a problem?
2. Why can't Jim use the chain?
1. Beautiful combs for her hair — but she sold her hair, so she can't use them now.
2. Because he sold his watch to buy the combs.
This whole story is about reasons and results. In English, we connect them with because and so.
1. Della was sad she had only $1.87.
2. She wanted money for a present, she sold her hair.
3. Jim looked at Della for a long time her hair was so short.
4. Jim had no watch now, he could not use the chain.
1. because (the reason for her sadness)
2. so (the result of wanting money)
3. because (the reason he stared)
4. so (the result of having no watch)
Finish the second sentence so it means the same as the first.
1. Della sold her hair because she loved Jim. → Della loved Jim,
2. Jim sold his watch, so he had money for the combs. → Jim had money for the combs
1. …so she sold her hair.
2. …because he sold his watch.
Write because or so. Then read the little story out loud.
Della had almost no money, she could not buy a good present. She sold her hair she wanted to buy a chain for Jim's watch. Jim loved Della very much, he sold his watch and bought the combs. The presents were useless — but the couple were happy, now they knew how much they loved each other.
so · because · so · because
Reason after because, result after so.
Now take the story's ideas into the real world. Talk about each one out loud. There are no right answers — say what you think, and say why (use because!).
Some people say: "The best gifts cost nothing." Do you agree? Think of examples: time, help, a meal, a letter. Which "free" gift is the most valuable?
In many countries, people spend a lot of money at Christmas or for New Year. Is this good or bad for families? Would a holiday with no presents at all be better or worse? Why?
Della and Jim both lost their treasures, and the presents are now useless. One friend says: "They were foolish." Another says: "They were wise." Who do you agree with? Give two reasons.
How do people give gifts in your country? When? What is a "good" gift, and what is a "bad" gift? Is there a gift people give that costs nothing?
This is the most important part of the lesson — do all of it out loud. Use the timer, and try to speak for the whole time.
Tell the whole story in your own words: the money → the two treasures → Della's idea → the hair shop → the chain → Jim comes home → the combs → the last surprise.
Use because at least two times and so at least two times.
Talk about a present you remember — one you gave or one you received. What was it? Who was it from or for? Why do you remember it? If you prefer, invent the perfect present for a friend and explain your choice.
Imagine a strange little shop that sells "useless treasures" — things with no practical use, but full of love or memory. You are the shopkeeper. Describe three things in your shop and tell the story of one of them.