Summary

The Last Leaf is a poignant short story by O. Henry about hope, sacrifice, and the strength of the human spirit. The story revolves around two young artists, Johnsy and Sue, who live together in a small flat. Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia in November and loses all hope of recovering. She believes that she will die when the last leaf falls off the ivy plant outside their window.

Sue, her friend, is deeply concerned and tries her best to encourage Johnsy, but she refuses to respond. The doctor advises Sue to lift Johnsy’s spirits, as her mental state is contributing to her physical decline. However, Johnsy’s mind is fixed on the idea that her life is tied to the fate of the last leaf on the plant.

In an attempt to help, Sue confides in Behrman, an elderly artist who lives downstairs. He listens to her story and, understanding Johnsy’s state of mind, comes up with a plan. That night, during a heavy storm, Behrman paints a leaf on the vine, making it look as though the last leaf has remained in place despite the storm. Unfortunately, in the process of painting, Behrman is exposed to the cold and falls ill with pneumonia. Two days later, he dies from the illness.

The next morning, Johnsy wakes up and is surprised to see that the last leaf is still attached to the vine. This sight gives her the will to live, and she begins to recover from her illness. Sue later informs Johnsy that Behrman, in his final act of selflessness, had painted the last leaf to save her life, sacrificing his own life in the process.

The Last Leaf teaches valuable lessons about the importance of hope and the impact of selfless acts of kindness. It shows that in times of despair, a small gesture can make a life-changing difference, and that hope, no matter how fragile, can be a powerful force in overcoming adversity.