[Deff]

По родителю

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://yandex.st/jquery/1.4.4/jquery.min.js"></script>
<style>
ul.x3-1 > li {
  cursor:pointer;
}
</style>



<ul class="x3-1">
  <li id="1">ololo1</li>
  <li id="2">ololo2</li>
  <li id="3">ololo3</li>
</ul>



<script type="text/javascript">
var content;

$("ul.x3-1 > li").click(function() {
   content = $(this).text();
   alert(content)
});
</script>