"The Last Leaf" is a short story by O. Henry, whose real name was William Sydney Porter. The story was first published in 1907 and has since become a classic of American literature.
The story is set in Greenwich Village, New York, and follows the lives of two young artists, Sue and Johnsy, who live in a boarding house. Sue is a practical and realistic person, while Johnsy is a dreamy and artistic young woman.
One day, Johnsy falls ill with pneumonia and becomes bedridden. As she lies in bed, she becomes fixated on the last leaf on a vine that grows outside her window. She becomes convinced that when the leaf falls, she will also die.
Sue tries to reassure Johnsy and tell her that the leaf is not an omen of her death, but Johnsy is convinced that she will not recover. However, one night, a mysterious old artist named Behrman comes to visit Johnsy and tells her a story about a leaf that he painted on a wall in Paris. The leaf was the last one to fall on a tree, and Behrman believed that as long as the leaf remained, he would not die.
Despite Sue's efforts to lift Johnsy's spirits, the leaf eventually falls, and Johnsy seems to lose hope. However, Behrman has secretly painted a leaf on the wall next to Johnsy's window, so when the real leaf falls, Johnsy believes that the leaf on the wall is the last leaf, and she regains hope and eventually recovers from her illness.
"The Last Leaf" is a poignant and heartwarming story that explores themes of hope, friendship, and the power of the imagination. It is a beautiful example of O. Henry's storytelling abilities and his ability to create memorable characters and touching stories.
