The Last Leaf
The City of Art in Crisis
Once upon a time, long ago, the city of Florence went through a crisis. The city of art was losing faith in its own art. Painters and artists who once awakened the spirit of these streets now turned their backs on colors. The reason was poverty.
Art was loved by all, but painters and artists were paid meager sums. Slowly, the streets lost their sparkle. Parents took away their children's colors. Painters began to take various odd jobs just to make a living.
In such difficult times, only a few artists had the courage to embrace art and continue doing what they loved. Two of these brave artists were Sue and Johnsy.
Friendship and a Passion for Art
Sue and Johnsy were not just extraordinary painters, but good friends too. They painted pictures which they then sold. They didn't earn much, but they were happy to follow their passion.
Of the two, Sue was a practical and determined woman. She worked hard and faced every problem with grace. While Johnsy was always afraid of the future.
Mr. Berman and His Vision
Sue and Johnsy had a neighbor named Mr. Berman. This Mr. Berman was old, but he was full of life. He painted everything he saw. The benches on the street, the stairs in the building, even the trees.
He was among the few painters who tried to keep the spirit of the city of art alive. Being a painter himself, Mr. Berman often helped Sue with her work.
— And here, if you make a slight shadow behind the object, it will almost look real. — Oh! Mr. Berman, you are a very talented painter! You should sell your paintings! — Ah, I don't know what to say. What would I do with the money? I live alone and spend very little. People in this city need to understand that not everything has to be done for money. You should never stop doing what you truly want.
Johnsy's Illness
Everything was going well until one day. Johnsy fell gravely ill, and no matter what the doctor did, Johnsy didn't get better.
— She'll be fine, won't she? — I've written a prescription for medicines she needs to take. But, Sue, you must convince her to stay positive. Most of our problems and illnesses don't disappear because of our negative thinking. She will only get well if she wants to get well.
Lost Hope
Sue did everything to make Johnsy happy. She made her favorite food, told her jokes from work, and brought her flowers to keep the room fresh. But nothing worked.
— I don't think I'll ever get well, Sue. I'm so sorry you have to work so hard, and all I do is lie in bed. — Johnsy, you're my friend! I'd do anything I can to take care of you!
Mr. Berman's Visit
— Hello, girls! Am I disturbing you? — Oh! Hello, Mr. Berman! — How is our little Johnsy doing? — I'm struggling. — Oh, Johnsy! Come on, get well! Have faith! — I don't feel very well, Mr. Berman. I'm tired of feeling weak. — Oh, child! Weakness is only in your mind. — Yes. Sue told me what you said. That there's a way where there's a will, or something like that. — Ha ha! Where there's a will, there's a way! — Agreed! Tell me, Mr. Berman, what did you paint last?
The Power of Art and Dreams
— Oh, it's about my long-lost dream. I made a painting of this street where I used to live. I tried to show that painters and artists are all on the street, doing what they love most: painting. — That's an impossible dream. It will never happen. — Well, that's the beauty of it. You can dream of absolutely anything. If you don't dream, you'll never try to achieve that something. I'm sure my art will save lives one day. I have the will to find a way. Art is very powerful, my dear. A valuable work of art can do what doctors cannot. All the artist has to do is stay positive and have faith. — Come on, Johnsy! Don't be so sad anymore!
The Ivy Leaves
— Hmm, what are you looking at, Johnsy? — It's the ivy growing on that wall. It's the only thing that brings me a little joy. — And isn't that a good thing? — It is. But the plant is leaving me too. When I first saw it, it had 10 leaves, and now it only has seven. I'll lose all hope when the last leaf falls. — Ah! That's terrible what you said, Johnsy! — Don't yell at her, Sue! When someone is sad, yelling only upsets them more. And Johnsy is sick. We don't know how she feels right now. — You're right, Mr. Berman. I'm sorry, Johnsy.
Sue and Berman's Worry
Johnsy didn't care. She felt guilty for her friend. Days passed and Johnsy's condition worsened. The doctor couldn't do anything because Johnsy wasn't taking her medicine anymore.
Sue always asked the doctor for an alternative treatment and all he would say was:
— She needs to have a stronger mind.
The Storm and the Sacrifice
One day, when Sue entered the building, she passed Mr. Berman. He was soaking wet.
— Mr. Berman, are you alright? What happened? — Nothing, child. I'm getting old, that's all. Today I painted the park benches. You know the ones under the roof? — Wait! Are you talking about the benches under the roof in the park? There are at least 20! You painted them all? In one day? That's too much work. And how did you get so wet? All the benches are covered. — Ah! I forgot to bring my umbrella, you know? As I said, I'm getting old, that's all.
Berman's Dedication
— Oh, Mr. Berman! You know everyone is getting sick these days. You must take care of yourself. Do you have a fever? You don't look too good. Should I call a doctor? — Oh dear! You ask too many questions, my child. When I paint, I am the happiest man in this world. Nothing can hurt or upset me. Art is my life. Tell me, how is Johnsy feeling? — Oh, not great. Remember the ivy she was talking about? There are only four leaves left. She keeps looking at that plant. I hope the last leaf doesn't fall, Mr. Berman. I'm telling you honestly, Johnsy will lose all hope. — No, we can't allow that.
The Last Hope
— It's pouring rain today. I'm sure the wind will blow all the leaves away. How can anyone stop the last leaf from falling? — Hmm, well, Sue, where there's a will, there's a way. — Ah, right now I see no way and I'm losing my will. I'm going to Johnsy. Mr. Berman, please, go see a doctor, okay? — Ha ha! Yes, my child. Give my regards to Johnsy.
The Stormy Night
That night, a hailstorm hit the city. Everyone in the city of art closed their windows and snuggled in their homes. But Johnsy wanted Sue to open the window. She wanted to see if the last leaf had fallen. But Sue refused. Johnsy's condition could worsen if she opened the window and let the strong wind into the room. Johnsy agreed. But she had no idea that Sue was worried about the last leaf.
The Miracle of the Last Leaf
The next morning, the sun shone in the sky. The storm had passed. Sue knew she had to open the window now. How much longer could she keep it closed? She closed her eyes and pulled back the curtains. She was in for a surprise.
— Oh! Johnsy, the last leaf is still there! — What? No way! How is it still holding on? — It's the leaf's will, Johnsy! Just like Mr. Berman said. — You're right. — Ah, Sue! Bring me my medicine.
Johnsy's Rebirth
— If a little leaf can face a storm, why can't I? I will find a way to get well. — Oh, Johnsy! I'll bring you anything you want! Tell me, what do you need? — Art is very powerful, my dear. A valuable work of art can do what doctors cannot. — I know what I want! Bring me the canvas and some paints.
Recovery and the Question
Sue's happiness knew no bounds. She hurried to bring her all the colors she had. She placed the easel next to Johnsy's bed. Sue was overjoyed at her friend's recovery. Time passed and Johnsy recovered completely.
Both the doctor and Sue were very surprised. She no longer spoke of how weak she felt or what she couldn't do in life. In fact, now she spoke of her new dreams with Sue.
— I want to paint the London Bridge! — Ah! I'm sure you will one day! — Where is Mr. Berman, Sue? I haven't seen him in a long time. — I'm glad you asked, Johnsy. I wanted to tell you this after you had fully recovered.
Berman's Ultimate Sacrifice
— Mr. Berman wasn't feeling well. His age had caught up with him. Do you remember the night of the hailstorm? He felt ill that very morning. — What? But he went to the doctor, didn't he? — That was the problem with Mr. Berman. I remember him saying that when he paints, nothing can hurt him. — What do you mean? — Look at the last leaf on the wall, Johnsy. It's still there. It hasn't moved an inch. He painted it that night. He truly is a great painter. In the morning, he had started to shiver. People took him to the hospital, I met him the day before. He was so happy. He was at peace when I told him you were well. I told him that the last ivy leaf gave you strength. Mr. Berman died. — No! Oh, no! But Johnsy, you helped him fulfill his dream! Didn't he say his art would save lives one day? Look at that leaf. It's his art, and it saved your life.
A Masterpiece of Art
— No, Sue! This isn't just art. It's a masterpiece, and I truly will fulfill my dream!
The Legacy and Moral of the Story
Soon, the story of the last leaf and Mr. Berman spread throughout the city. Painters, poets, dancers, singers, all artists were inspired. They all gathered under the ivy and vowed to bring art back to the city of art.
And that's what happened. The streets came back to life. There were paintings on all the walls and on some people. Johnsy and Sue pooled their savings and opened a painting school named Berman Art.
Parents sent their children there to learn the spirit of life. All the painters started painting again. They didn't give up their odd jobs, but they loved their work now that they knew they would never stop painting.
As for Johnsy and Sue, well, the people of the city of art were happy to have colors back in their lives. They all realized how important art was and came to donate a part of their earnings to the Berman Art school.
Soon, the school grew and became the Berman Institute. What's even more interesting is that all the children at the Berman Institute learned to paint one first thing before anything else: the last leaf.
Because that leaf taught everyone a very important lesson: where there's a will, there's always a way.
