The Last Leaf
Complete textIn an artists' neighborhood, Sue cares for her friend Johnsy through pneumonia. Watching a vine outside the window, Johnsy connects her own survival with its falling leaves, leaving Sue and an older neighbor to confront the dangerous force of that belief.
Continue readingAbout The Last Leaf
The shared room makes care visible through practical work, conversation and the difficulty of earning money during illness. A small view from the window becomes an entire measure of hope. The story places artistic ambition beside less glamorous forms of service, asking what an image can do for another person.
Reading focus
Consider how the window's limited view changes Johnsy's thinking and the practical care she receives.
This reading edition contains 2,360 words in 1 original section. Read the text online with adjustable type and three colour themes, or keep a printable PDF.
Author: O Henry. Language: English. Reading edition: 28 October 2026.
Opening excerpt
In a little district west of Washington Square the streets have run crazy and broken themselves into small strips called “places.” These “places” make strange angles and curves. One street crosses itself a time or two. An artist once discovered a valuable possibility in this street. Suppose a collector with a bill for paints, paper and canvas should, in traversing this route, suddenly meet himself coming back, without a cent having been paid on account!
Contents
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Is this the complete The Last Leaf?
This edition contains the complete English literary text, with 1 section and 2,360 words. This reading edition preserves the checked English text and its section order. No study notes have been added.
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