The Last Leaf (Henry)
Sue and Johnsy were two young artists living in an old studio in Greenwich Village. Johnsy was very ill with pneumonia, and the doctor warned that her chances of survival were slim. Johnsy had given up hope and was certain that when the last leaf on the ivy vine outside her window fell, she too would die.
Sue enlisted the help of the old painter Behrman, who lived in the floor below them. Behrman was a failure in art and had been trying to paint his masterpiece for forty years. He was fiercely protective of the two young women and agreed to pose as the hermit-miner for Sue's drawing.
That night a fierce storm blew, but the last leaf on the ivy vine still clung to its stem. Johnsy was determined to watch it fall, and Sue reluctantly raised the shade for her. The next morning, Johnsy was still alive, and the leaf was still there. She realized that her desire to die had been foolish and selfish and began to take an interest in life again.
Sue revealed to Johnsy that Behrman had died of pneumonia the day before, and that he had gone out in the storm the night before to paint the last ivy leaf onto the wall. His masterpiece was a sign to Johnsy that life was worth living, and that she should not give up hope. With good care, Johnsy eventually recovered.