Question

Read the excerpt from "The Gift of the Magi."

And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest.

The theme expressed in this paragraph is that

even wise people do foolish things at times.
those who sacrifice for others are great people.
sacrificing one’s most prized possessions is foolish.
wise people are often those with the fewest possessions.

Answer 1

Answer: The theme is "those who sacrifice for others are great people."

Explanation: Even though the words "foolish" and "unwisely" are used at the beginning, the final remark lets us know that they are paradoxical in meaning: what is commonly seen as "foolishness" (giving up your "greatest treasure") is actually the highest wisdom when it is done as an act of love.