<< Back 11/27/02 Retold in rhyme, ‘Magi’ retains its relevancy By Jim Joyce This Christmas may I suggest you do something old fashioned? It will cost you a pittance and goes to the essence of this holiday’s spirit of love, caring, connecting and gift giving. I’m suggesting you read a book — to your kids, your spouse, other loved ones, a shut-in, or to anyone you can think of who likes beauty. Not just any book, of course, a new book called, The Gift of the Magi Retold in Rhyme. It is written by Virginia Tobiassen, a North Carolinian, who takes the classic O’Henry story (he also was a North Carolinian) and sets it to verse. It is delightful. Within moments of you turning off the television and starting to read, your kids will quit griping and become mesmerized by the enchanting words of this new twist to the wonderful old story. Tobiassen, too, has a gift. For instance, O’Henry writes: “also appertaining thereunto was a card bearing the name Mr. James Dillingham Young.” Tobiassen writes: “Below the bell with hope and pride a little card was hung. The first name, ‘James’; Then, “Dillingham’; The telling surname; “Young.’ See what I mean? The little book is published by The Ashe Street House in West Jefferson. The website is www.ashestreethouse.com and the book should be available in local bookstores. It will set you back $12.95. This could be the most value you receive for your money this year and because it is a book, it won’t break. You’ll have it for many Christmases to come and reading it might even become a family tradition. It is more poignant than that other Christmas story about Santa Claus and the mouse in the house. “The Gift of the Magi,” if you’ve forgotten (I had), is about a poor, struggling, newly wedded couple who goof up, big time, in their choice of Christmas gifts for each other. But I won’t spoil it by telling you more. Get the book. It has a happy ending. (Jim Joyce is a businessman and writer who lives in Waynesville.)