The Last Gift

An Austenesque Short Story

By: Don Jacobson

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

A Story 250 Years in the Making

Inspired by Jane Austen’s birth—and death—day, The Last Gift considers what happens if July 18, 1817 was only the beginning for Jane Austen. After the Lady meets her characters in the Universe she created, what would make her existence not only tolerable but also transcendental?

The Last Gift rises from the idea that death is that veil through which all must pass. Beyond the gossamer curtain, the Heaven into which Austen arrives is one of her invention. However, that may not be the gift for, if Austen built her heavenly abode, what of all the other realms composed by those with less goodness in their hearts into which they are condemned to spend eternity?

The wonder is that The Old One allows Austen to learn what she must to bring her final happiness in The Last Gift—a short story of about 4,700 words.

©2025 Donald Whitfield Jacobson (P)2025 Donald Whitfield Jacobson

A Tribute To Beloved Jane Austen

Dying on a wet damp day in Winchester, Jane Austen’s last thoughts are of relieving her sister’s distress and her own grave discomfort, but death is only the beginning for this talented woman with a pen. Author Don Jacobson chose to honor Jane Austen’s 250th birthday with the gift of a wonderful dream come true for dear Jane and the talented narration of Stevie Zimmerman brought The Last Gift to life.

After passing beyond the veil of death, Jane awakens in a dream world peopled by her ‘children’ – the characters she created in her books. She is met by a pert Elizabeth Bennet Darcy and a sage Elinor Dashwood Ferrars who has a decided twinkle in her eye. Eleanor explains the dreamy world they are inhabiting and the philosophy of its existence. Characters can inhabit the time before when they were first penned or jaunt over a hill to inhabit their own happily ever after times.

Jane is healthy and and delights in these encounters, but her heart wonders if this magical world that flowed from her own pen can produce one last ‘dream-come-true’ gift.

This was bittersweet at first and then the bitter fades away leaving only the sweet. What a fabulous tribute- a gift to most delight a beloved author. Those who adore Jane and wish to indulge in a decadent fantasy should definitely put your earbuds in for this sweet short piece.

A quick short for Austen’s 250th.

Stevie Zimmerman, who performs wonderfully as always, was right… you can’t help but tear up at the end.