the last leaf 10th Class English - full story

the last leaf 10th Class English - full story

Here is “The Last Leaf” – 10th Class English (Full Story) written in simple, exam-friendly language so it is easy to understand and remember.

The Last Leaf – Full Story

Author: O. Henry

“The Last Leaf” is a touching story about hope, friendship, sacrifice, and the power of belief.

Sue and Johnsy were two young artists who lived together in a small flat in Greenwich Village, New York. They were good friends and shared the same dreams of becoming successful painters. Their rooms faced a small courtyard where an old ivy creeper grew on a brick wall.

Johnsy Falls Ill

One winter, Johnsy fell seriously ill with pneumonia. The cold weather and weak health made her condition worse. A doctor came to check on her and told Sue that Johnsy’s chances of recovery were very low unless she developed a strong will to live.

Sue tried her best to cheer her up, but Johnsy had become very hopeless and depressed. She lay on her bed near the window, staring at the ivy vine outside.

The Strange Belief

Johnsy believed something very strange. She thought that her life was connected to the ivy leaves on the wall. She began counting the leaves as they fell one by one due to the cold wind.

She said to Sue,

“When the last leaf falls, I shall die.”

Sue was shocked and tried to convince her that it was just a foolish idea, but Johnsy refused to listen. She had completely lost hope and believed that death was near.

Behrman – The Old Artist

In the same building lived an old painter named Behrman. He was a rough-looking man with a kind heart. He had always dreamed of painting a masterpiece, but he had never succeeded.

When Sue told Behrman about Johnsy’s strange belief, he became very angry and worried. He said that no leaf had the power to decide someone’s life and promised to help.

The Miracle of the Last Leaf

That night, a terrible storm came. Strong winds and heavy rain shook the building. Sue feared that all the ivy leaves would fall

The next morning, Johnsy looked out of the window. To her surprise, one leaf was still there. It had not fallen despite the storm. Johnsy watched it all day, expecting it to fall, but it stayed firmly on the wall.

Slowly, hope returned to her heart. She began to feel ashamed of her earlier thoughts and realized that it was wrong to give up so easily. She decided that she wanted to live.

Recovery and the Truth

Johnsy’s health started improving day by day. The doctor was pleased and said she would recover soon.

However, another sad news came. Old Behrman had caught pneumonia and had died. Later, Sue discovered the truth:

On the stormy night, Behrman had gone out in the rain and painted a leaf on the wall. That leaf was not real—it was his masterpiece.

He sacrificed his life to save Johnsy and gave her hope when she needed it most.

Conclusion

The painted leaf never fell because it was not a real leaf. It became a symbol of hope and selfless love.

Message of the Story

• Hope is essential for life
• Faith and belief can save lives
• True friendship involves sacrifice
• Art can have the power to heal

Below is MCQs, One Word / Definition Questions, and Question-Answer for

“The Last Leaf” – 10th Class English (simple language, exam-oriented).

MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

1. Who wrote “The Last Leaf”?

A. William Wordsworth

B. O. Henry

C. Charles Dickens

D. Ruskin Bond

✔ Answer: B. O. Henry

2. Where did Sue and Johnsy live?

A. London

B. Paris

C. Greenwich Village

D. Chicago

✔ Answer: C. Greenwich Village

3. What disease did Johnsy suffer from?

A. Typhoid

B. Malaria

C. Pneumonia

D. Tuberculosis

✔ Answer: C. Pneumonia

4. What did Johnsy count while lying on her bed?

A. Stars

B. Leaves

C. Clouds

D. Windows

✔ Answer: B. Leaves

5. What plant grew on the wall outside Johnsy’s window?

A. Rose

B. Mango

C. Ivy

D. Neem

✔ Answer: C. Ivy

6. Who was Behrman?

A. A doctor

B. A painter

C. A writer

D. A teacher

✔ Answer: B. A painter

7. What was Behrman’s lifelong dream?

A. To become rich

B. To travel the world

C. To paint a masterpiece

D. To open a gallery

✔ Answer: C. To paint a masterpiece

8. Why did the last leaf not fall?

A. Wind stopped

B. It was very strong

C. It was painted

D. It was protected

✔ Answer: C. It was painted

9. Who regained hope after seeing the last leaf?

A. Sue

B. Behrman

C. The doctor

D. Johnsy

✔ Answer: D. Johnsy

10. What happened to Behrman at the end?

A. He recovered

B. He moved away

C. He died of pneumonia

D. He became famous

✔ Answer: C. He died of pneumonia

One Word / Definition Questions

1. Pneumonia – A serious lung disease causing difficulty in breathing.

2. Ivy creeper – A climbing plant that grows on walls.

3. Masterpiece – A great work of art created by an artist.

4. Sacrifice – Giving up one’s life or comfort for others.

5. Will to live – Strong desire to survive and live.

6. Storm – Strong wind with rain.

7. Artist – A person who creates paintings or art.

8. Hope – A feeling of expectation for a better future.

9. Greenwich Village – The place where the story is set.

10. Depression – A state of deep sadness and hopelessness.

Question–Answer

Q1. Why did Johnsy lose hope?

Ans: Johnsy lost hope because she was suffering from pneumonia and believed she would die when the last ivy leaf fell.

Q2. How did Sue help Johnsy?

Ans: Sue took care of Johnsy, encouraged her, and tried to give her hope and confidence to live.

Q3. What made Johnsy change her mind?

Ans: Seeing the last leaf still hanging after the storm gave Johnsy hope and the desire to live.

Q4. Why is Behrman called a hero?

Ans: Behrman is called a hero because he sacrificed his life to save Johnsy by painting the last leaf.

Q5. What is the message of “The Last Leaf”?

Ans: The story teaches that hope gives life, true friendship involves sacrifice, and faith can perform miracles.

Here are 50 Important Objective Questions (MCQs) from

“The Last Leaf” – 10th Class English, prepared strictly for exam practice.

The Last Leaf – 50 Important Objective Questions

1. Who is the author of “The Last Leaf”?

A. R.K. Narayan

B. O. Henry

C. William Shakespeare

D. Charles Dickens

Ans: B

2. The story is set in—

A. London

B. Paris

C. Greenwich Village

D. Chicago

Ans: C

3. Sue and Johnsy were—

A. Students

B. Nurses

C. Artists

D. Teachers

Ans: C

4. Johnsy suffered from—

A. Typhoid

B. Pneumonia

C. Tuberculosis

D. Malaria

Ans: B

5. The doctor said Johnsy could recover only if she had—

A. Medicine

B. Money

C. Will to live

D. Rest

Ans: C

6. Johnsy lay in bed looking at—

A. The sky

B. The door

C. The wall

D. The ivy vine

Ans: D

7. The ivy creeper grew on—

A. A tree

B. A fence

C. A wall

D. A window

Ans: C

8. Johnsy believed she would die when—

A. Winter ended

B. The doctor left

C. The last leaf fell

D. Sue cried

Ans: C

9. Who tried to encourage Johnsy?

A. Doctor

B. Behrman

C. Sue

D. Neighbour

Ans: C

10. Behrman was—

A. A young artist

B. A doctor

C. An old painter

D. A writer

Ans: C

11. Behrman lived—

A. Next door

B. In the same building

C. Far away

D. In hospital

Ans: B

12. Behrman had dreamed of painting—

A. A portrait

B. A landscape

C. A masterpiece

D. A mural

Ans: C

13. Behrman was angry when he heard about—

A. Johnsy’s illness

B. Johnsy’s belief

C. Sue’s work

D. The storm

Ans: B

14. The stormy night had—

A. Snow only

B. Wind only

C. Rain only

D. Strong wind and rain

Ans: D

15. The next morning Johnsy saw—

A. No leaf

B. All leaves

C. One leaf

D. New leaves

Ans: C

16. The last leaf did not fall because—

A. Wind stopped

B. Weather improved

C. It was painted

D. It was strong

Ans: C

17. Seeing the last leaf made Johnsy feel—

A. Angry

B. Afraid

C. Hopeful

D. Sad

Ans: C

18. Johnsy decided that giving up was—

A. Right

B. Easy

C. Foolish

D. Necessary

Ans: C

19. After regaining hope, Johnsy—

A. Became worse

B. Died

C. Recovered

D. Left home

Ans: C

20. Behrman caught—

A. Fever

B. Cold

C. Pneumonia

D. Flu

Ans: C

21. Behrman died because—

A. He was old

B. He was weak

C. He painted in the storm

D. He stopped eating

Ans: C

22. The last leaf was painted using—

A. Pencil

B. Ink

C. Oil paint

D. Watercolor

Ans: C

23. The leaf never moved because—

A. It was dry

B. It was fixed

C. It was painted

D. It was magic

Ans: C

24. The last leaf became—

A. Johnsy’s dream

B. Sue’s painting

C. Behrman’s masterpiece

D. Doctor’s symbol

Ans: C

25. The theme of the story is—

A. Wealth

B. Love and sacrifice

C. Adventure

D. Humor

Ans: B

26. Johnsy lost hope because she—

A. Was poor

B. Was lonely

C. Was ill

D. Failed in art

Ans: C

27. Sue earned money by—

A. Teaching

B. Writing

C. Painting

D. Singing

Ans: C

28. The doctor advised Sue to—

A. Leave Johnsy

B. Encourage Johnsy

C. Call Behrman

D. Shift hospital

Ans: B

29. Behrman’s age was—

A. 40

B. 50

C. Around 60

D. Over 60

Ans: D

30. Behrman’s appearance was—

A. Handsome

B. Weak

C. Rough

D. Smart

Ans: C

31. The ivy leaf symbolises—

A. Death

B. Hope

C. Fear

D. Wealth

Ans: B

32. Johnsy wanted to—

A. Travel

B. Sleep

C. Live

D. Paint

Ans: C

33. Behrman helped Johnsy by—

A. Giving medicine

B. Talking

C. Painting a leaf

D. Calling doctor

Ans: C

34. The story teaches us—

A. Money is power

B. Art is useless

C. Hope gives life

D. Nature is cruel

Ans: C

35. Sue was—

A. Careless

B. Cruel

C. Kind

D. Proud

Ans: C

36. The leaf was painted on—

A. Paper

B. Canvas

C. Brick wall

D. Wood

Ans: C

37. Behrman painted the leaf during—

A. Daytime

B. Evening

C. Morning

D. Night

Ans: D

38. The doctor said Johnsy would recover because—

A. Medicine worked

B. Weather changed

C. She wanted to live

D. Sue prayed

Ans: C

39. Behrman’s death was—

A. Useless

B. Accidental

C. Meaningful

D. Funny

Ans: C

40. Johnsy’s illness affected her—

A. Body only

B. Mind only

C. Both body and mind

D. None

Ans: C

41. Sue was worried about—

A. Money

B. Johnsy

C. Painting

D. Behrman

Ans: B

42. The leaf became a symbol of—

A. Fear

B. Art

C. Sacrifice

D. Hope and sacrifice

Ans: D

43. Behrman’s masterpiece was—

A. A portrait

B. A landscape

C. A painted leaf

D. A mural

Ans: C

44. Johnsy was saved by—

A. Doctor

B. Medicine

C. Hope

D. Sue

Ans: C

45. Behrman showed—

A. Cowardice

B. Selfishness

C. Courage

D. Pride

Ans: C

46. The story belongs to the genre of—

A. Comedy

B. Tragedy

C. Short story

D. Drama

Ans: C

47. The ivy leaf remained because—

A. Nature protected it

B. It was artificial

C. It was lucky

D. It was thick

Ans: B

48. Johnsy planned to die when—

A. Winter ended

B. Doctor came

C. Last leaf fell

D. Sue left

Ans: C

49. The message of the story highlights—

A. Art and wealth

B. Faith and hope

C. Luck and chance

D. Power and strength

Ans: B

50. “The Last Leaf” ends with—

A. Joy

B. Suspense

C. Sacrifice

D. Humor

Ans: C

Outro – The Last Leaf

In conclusion, “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry is a deeply moving story that teaches us the true value of hope, faith, and selfless sacrifice. Through the characters of Johnsy, Sue, and Behrman, the writer shows how a positive attitude can give strength even in the darkest moments of life. Johnsy’s recovery proves that when a person regains the will to live, even serious illness can be overcome.

The story also highlights the greatness of Behrman’s sacrifice. Though he lived his entire life dreaming of creating a masterpiece, he finally achieved it not for fame or money, but to save a young girl’s life. His painted leaf becomes a powerful symbol of true art, humanity, and compassion.

Thus, The Last Leaf reminds us that life is precious and should never be given up easily. A small act of kindness and hope can change destinies. The story leaves a lasting message for students that hope is life itself, and real greatness lies in helping others selflessly.