最后一片叶子 The Last Leaf

The Last Leaf is a short story written by O Henry, Settled in Greenwich Village. Its depicts characters and themes are typically of O Henry's work.

Johnsy has fallen ill and is dying of pneumonia. She watches the leaves falling from the window of her room, and decides that when the last leaf drops, she will die, too. To encourage her, Mr. Behrman painted the last leaf in a stormy night but he died of pneumonia because of his efforts in the storm.

This is a sad story about sacrifice as well as a moving story about hope. Likewise, we can learn about something from this story, something that totally different from each other.

Everyone has a certain purpose that support all his life, and we call it hope. Hope means an oasis to a man walking in the desert. From Johnsy's recovery, there's no doubt that hope is her holy light which points out her direction.

Meanwhile, everything should be paid off, including kindness. Maybe we can consider Johnsy's recovery as an exchange with Mr. Behrman's sacrifice. No wonder it will be a cruel comparison, but it is an universal routine in the world. In addition, it warns us not to let ourselves have our own way without limitation.