'A Gift Of Love' Inspired by 'The Gift of the Magi' by O.Henry by MILA Language Academy Students

This heartwarming jazz duet, “A Chain and a Comb (The Gift of Love)”, was created by pre-intermediate English students at MILA Language Academy with our teacher Ivanna Sagan in Boca Raton, Florida, as part of our Book Club Week in April 2025.

Together, we read The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, a beautiful short story about Jim and Della — a young couple who give up their most treasured possessions to buy each other Christmas gifts. Their sacrifices remind us that true love and selflessness are life’s greatest treasures.

💡 With the guidance and support of our creative teacher, Ivanna Sagan, we:
🖊 Wrote the lyrics for an original jazz-style song
🎨 Created illustrations inspired by the story
💻 And used AI to animate the entire presentation!

Everyone in our class had a role — from summarizing the story, preparing questions, designing visuals, to collaborating on the song. Inspired by the style of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole, this duet is our creative tribute to O. Henry’s timeless message.

We hope it touches your heart the way it touched ours 💙

🎶 Lyrics – "A Chain and a Comb (The Gift of Love)"
(Jazz duet: smooth piano, strings, vintage feel)

🎙 Della – Verse 1
I had a dream, it was Christmas Eve
But love was all that we had to believe
A dollar and change, not enough for a bow
So I gave up my hair — oh, how fast it did go

🎙 Jim – Verse 2
The streets were cold, but my heart was warm
Thinking of you was my winter's charm
I sold my watch, my father's gold
For a gift that your heart would forever hold

🎙 Together – Chorus
🎵 We gave all we had for each other
No diamonds or pearls to uncover
Just a chain and a comb, and a story well told
Of two hearts young, and love so bold
Yes, we gave all we had—
But what we got was gold 🎵

🎙 Della – Verse 3
I walked through the snow with tears in my eyes
Holding that chain like it came from the skies
Will he still love me with hair cut so short?
But love’s not a matter of length or of sort

🎙 Jim – Verse 4
You walked in the room, and my world stood still
No curls on your head—but I loved you still
I gave up my watch, but not what it's worth
‘Cause your love, my dear, is my measure of earth

🎙 Together – Chorus
🎵 We gave all we had for each other
No rubies or silk to discover
Just a chain and a comb, and a warm kitchen light
Two broken gifts made our hearts feel so right
Yes, we gave all we had—
But what we got was bright 🎵

🎙 Bridge – slow and tender
Jim: You sold your crown for a chain of gold
Della: You gave your time, your heirloom so old
Both: But we found something time can’t erase—
Love’s quiet gift in each other's embrace

🎙 Final Chorus – soft, slow
🎵 We gave all we had for each other
No wrapping, no ribbon, no cover
Just a moment of truth, a kiss in the night
Two foolish hearts that gave up what’s right
Yes, we gave all we had—
And we ended up with light 🎵

(Outro – whispered)
"Merry Christmas, my love..."
"And always yours, my dear."