The Greatest Gift
by Philip Van Doren Sternliterary work· published 1945
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"The Greatest Gift" is a 1943 short story written by Philip Van Doren Stern, loosely based on the Charles Dickens 1843 novella A Christmas Carol, which became the basis for the film It's a Wonderful Life (1946). It was self-published as a booklet in 1943 and published as a book in 1944. George Pratt, a man who is dissatisfied with his life, contemplates suicide. As he stands on a bridge on Christmas Eve, he is approached by a strange, unpleasantly dressed but well-mannered man with a bag. The man strikes up a conversation, and George tells the man that he wishes he had never been born. The man tells him his wish has been granted and that he was never born. The man tells George he should take the bag with him and pretend to be a door-to-door brush salesman if anyone addresses him.
Adaptations (1)
The Greatest Gift was adapted into a 1946 film.
It's a Wonderful Life1946 · film · 130 min · dir. Frank Capra · IMDb ↗George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.
