New Yorkers PDF

New Yorkers – Summary

Author: O. Henry (real name: William Sydney Porter)
Genre: Short Stories / Humor / Irony / Human Interest
Setting: New York City
Level: Elementary to Intermediate (graded readers available)

Summary:

New Yorkers is a collection of short stories by O. Henry, all set in New York City. Each story focuses on ordinary people — such as shopkeepers, artists, policemen, lovers, and dreamers — and shows how their lives are full of surprises, twists, and irony.

The stories are known for their unexpected endings, humor, and warm understanding of human nature.

A Few Stories from the Collection:

The Gift of the Magi – A poor couple, Jim and Della, each secretly sells their most valuable possession to buy a gift for the other. The story ends with a sweet and ironic twist, showing the power of love and sacrifice.
The Cop and the Anthem – Soapy, a homeless man, wants to get arrested so he can spend the winter in jail. But when he finally decides to change his life, he gets arrested — ironically, for doing nothing.
The Romance of a Busy Broker – A busy stockbroker doesn’t even remember his own secretary’s name until they suddenly get married — a fast and funny twist.
The Last Leaf – A sick young girl believes she will die when the last leaf falls from a vine outside her window. An old artist makes a selfless sacrifice to give her hope.