I had read
this short story by the very brilliant author O.Henry when I was in college.
Just some time back I saw an Indian film “Lootera” (Thief), a sensitive drama
set in 1950s. A part of this film seemed very inspired by this beautiful story.
The Last
Leaf is an example that limited words do not necessarily mean limited
expressions. Although the canvas of this story was very small (it is actually a
4 page story), the impression drawn on it was limitless & truly a
masterpiece.
The premise
of the story is its 60 year old character Mr. Behrman, an artist, whose wish
& oft repeated line is “One day I will paint a beautiful picture, One day I
will paint a masterpiece”.
The story is
set in Greenwich Village, New York City in 1890s.
It revolves
around two girls – Sue & Johnsy. Both are young 20 something artists. Their
mutual love for art binds them together & the two friends move in a studio
apartment in Greenwich Village. Lots of aspirations, talent & dream of
making it big…
An epidemic
breaks in the city on a very harsh winter month. The city is gripped in the
deadly claw of pneumonia and is claiming lives as days go by.
Unfortunately,
Johnsy is also gripped with the fever. Her condition worsens day on day, and
finally the doctors give up. Sue is heartbroken to see her friend in this
condition. Sue notices that Johnsy is counting leaves on a tree outside their
apartment. The tree is covered thick in snow & just has a few leaves left.
Johnsy counts the remaining leaves every day & believes that she will die
the day the last leaf falls. A poetic belief of an artist, but a belief that is
making her hang on to life.
Sue shares
this with Mr. Behrman living in the apartment below. Behrman is an old artist,
60 years of age, who is friendly with the two girls. He often claims that will
paint a masterpiece one day…a masterpiece that will surpass all. Behrman
believes Johnsy will live, but does realise that she has lost the willpower to
live & that needs to be created in her.
That night
brings a heavy storm. Next morning, Sue looks out of her window, expecting to
see all leaves fallen, but to her surprise she notices that one leaf is still
hanging there.
The same
happens every morning.
Over the
days when Sue sees that the “Last Leaf” is not falling from the tree, she
understands…the leaf is willing her to live on. She sees hope after all &
starts recovering slowly & steadily. Full of hope again, she even tells
Johnsy that when she has fully recovered, she will paint the Bay of Naples.
And then,
they girls get shocking news about their old neighbour Behrman…
If you wish
to read this beautiful piece of work, here is a pdf link:
This story
is one of those bittersweet tales of compassion that restore your faith in
humanity, in good individuals.
Behrman must
have wanted to paint a masterpiece, but in my eyes, this story is no less a
masterpiece created beautifully by O.Henry.
This was the
beauty of stories by O.Henry; the characters so real; their situations so real
and their way to connect for each other so heart-touching.
Indian
director, Vikramaditya Motwane, adapted this story as a part to his film
“Lootera” in 2013.
Read this
beautiful short story, written in 1907 that is adapted even after 106 years!!
I am so glad that this story is in my school's English Literature book and also in my syllabus. I never read a story of O.Henry before, but this short story of 106 years old still captures young generation's Heart! Thank you.
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