NCERT Solutions For class 9 English Moments Chapter 7: The Last Leaf

"The last leaf" is a story that has been written by O.Henry. It is a story about a girl named Johnsy who was ill with pneumonia.

She used to lie in her bed and just watch the old ivy shedding its leaf from her window. Seeing her condition, her friend, Sue, became very worried. They both were painters and used to live together. The doctor came to see Johnsy every day, but there was no change in her health. In her despair, she had given up her hope of living, which is why the medicines could not help. Johnsy stopped taking her medicines and food. She was waiting to die. Sue tried to divert Johnny's mind, but nothing worked. Johnsy used to think she would die on the day when the old ivy would lose its last leaf. She went to her neighbour Behrman, who was 60 years old and still drew a masterpiece to help her. She discussed her worries with him.

When Johnsy woke up, she was eager to see the last leaf and then die peacefully. As soon as she drew the curtains away, she was astonished to see that the last leaf was still there. Then she understands that she has been a bad person for all the love and care Sue has given her, and it is a sin to think to die. She survived, but Behrman lost his life, and he created a masterpiece that is the last leaf of an ivy tree. Behrman painted the leaf, which saved the life of Johnsy. The theme of this story is selflessness and sacrifice.