"The Last Leaf" is a short story by O. Henry, first published in 1907. It tells the story of Johnsy, a young woman suffering from pneumonia, who becomes convinced that she will die when the last leaf falls from a vine outside her window.
Johnsy is bedridden and unable to leave her apartment, so she spends her days gazing out the window at the ivy vine that grows outside. As the weather gets colder and the leaves start to fall, Johnsy becomes more and more convinced that she will die when the last leaf falls. Her friend Sue, who is nursing her through her illness, tries to reassure her that she will recover, but Johnsy is convinced that she is doomed.
One day, when the last leaf is hanging precariously on the vine, Johnsy's neighbor, an elderly artist named Behrman, notices her despair and decides to do something about it. He spends all night outside in the cold and rain, painting a leaf on the wall in the same spot where the real leaf is hanging. When Johnsy wakes up the next morning, she sees the painted leaf and is convinced that it is the real one. She begins to feel hope and starts to recover.
As it turns out, Behrman had been suffering from pneumonia himself and had contracted the illness while painting the leaf. Despite his own illness, he had been moved by Johnsy's despair and had decided to try and give her hope by painting the leaf. In the end, it is his selflessness and kindness that helps Johnsy recover.
"The Last Leaf" is a touching and heartwarming story that highlights the power of hope and the strength of human kindness. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility for hope and recovery, and that a small act of kindness can go a long way in helping someone through a difficult time.
