The last leaf long long ago the town of
Florence faced a crisis the arts Ville
Street was losing faith in its art
painters and artists who once raised the
spirit of these streets now turns their
heads away from colors the reason was
the poverty art was loved by all but the
artists and painters were paid very
little slowly the streets lost its
luster parents took colors away from
their children
painters began to take our jobs in their
neighborhood to earn their living in
such difficult times only a few artists
braved to embrace art and keep doing
what they loved to of these brave
artists were soon and John see sue and
johnsy were not only great painters but
they were best friends they would make
paintings and sell them to magazines
they didn't earn much but they were
happy to follow their passion among the
two Sue was a strong headed and
practical woman
she would work hard and face every
problem with grace while Jhansi was
always scared for the future sue and
johnsy had a neighbor by the name of mr.
Behrman
now mr. Behrman was an old man but he
was full of life he would paint anything
in sight the benches by the road the
steps in his building even the trees he
was among the rare painters who tried to
keep the spirit of arts ville alive
being a painter himself mr. Behrman
often helped sue with her work
and here if you can shoot a little
behind this object it will look almost
real Oh
mr. Behrman you are a talented painter
you must put your paintings up for sale
I don't know what would I do with the
money I live alone and I spend very
little people in this town need to
understand that not everything has to be
done for money you must never stop doing
what you really love all went well until
one day
Jhansi fell very ill and no matter what
the doctor did Jhansi would not recover
she will be fine right I have written
down some medicines for her to take but
sue you have to convince her to stay
positive
most of our troubles and illness stay
because of our negative thinking she
will recover only if she wills to
recover sue tried everything to keep
John C happy she would cook her
favourite food
tell her jokes from work and bring
flowers to keep the room fresh but
nothing worked
I don't think I will ever get better sue
I feel really bad that you have to work
so hard and all I do is lie around
jealousy you are my friend I would do
everything I can to take care of you
hello girls am i disturbing you
oh hello mr. Behrman how is our little
Jhansi doing crying Oh John see you will
get better have faith I don't feel very
well mr. Behrman I am tired of being
weak Oh child your weakness is in your
mind yeah sue told me what you said to
her well there is a way there is a will
or something it's where there is a will
there is a way ah agree tell me mr.
Behrman what is your latest painting
about oh it's about my long lost dream I
made a painting of this very street we
live in I tried to show that the
painters and artists are all out on the
streets doing the one thing they love
the most
paint that's an impossible treats you
have it will never happen well that's
the beauty you can dream about anything
unless you don't dream you will never
try to make it real I am certain that my
art will save lives someday I have the
will to find a way
art is very powerful my child a powerful
piece of art can do what doctors cannot
all an artist has to do is stay positive
and have faith come on Jhansi stop
staying so sad
hmm what are you looking at John see the
ivy plant growing on that wall it is the
only thing that keeps be a little happy
isn't that a good thing it is but the
plant is leaving me pill when I first
saw it it had ten leaves now it only has
seven I will lose all hope when the last
leaf falls that's a terrible thing to
say John see don't scream at her sue
when someone is said screaming only
upsets them more and John C is ill we
don't know how she must be feeling right
now huh you are right mr. Behrman
I am sorry John see John C didn't mind
she felt guilty for her friend more days
passed and John sees health only
worsened doctor couldn't do anything
because John C had stopped taking her
medicines sue would always ask the
doctor for some alternate treatment and
all he would say is she has to make her
mind stronger one s who entered her
building she passed mr. Behrman he was
drenched mr. fairman are you all right
what happened nothing child I am growing
old that's all
I painted the benches inside our Park
today you know the ones under the roof
wait you are talking about Ben she's
under the roof of the park there are at
least 20 of them
you painted them all in one day that is
too much work
and how did you get all wet they all are
under the roof oh I forgot to carry my
umbrella you see as I said I am growing
old that's all Oh
mr. Behrman you know everyone is falling
ill these days you have to take care of
yourself do you have a fever you don't
look very well should I call for a
doctor oh my my hahaha
you ask too many questions my child when
I am painting I am the happiest man in
this whole world nothing can hurt me or
bother me art is my life tell me how's
Jhansi doing oh not great you remember
the IV plan she spoke about there are
only four leaves left she keeps staring
at the plant I hope the last leaf
doesn't fall mr. Behrman I really do
Jhansi will lose all hope no we can't
let that happen it's raining cats and
dogs today I am certain the wind will
blow away all the leaves how can anybody
stop the plant from losing its last leaf
well sue where there is a will there is
a way
oh right now I see no way and I am
losing my will I will go to John see mr.
Behrman please go to a doctor okay I
will my child give my best to judge
that night a hailstorm struck the town
everyone on the artful Street closed
their windows and snuggles in their
houses the Jhansi wanted sued to open
the window she wanted to see if the last
leaf had fallen but do refused Jhansi's
health could get worse if they opened
the window and let the rough wind inside
Jhansi agreed little did she know that
sue was also worried about the last
leaves the next morning son Shawn
brightly the hail storm had passed
sue knew she had to open the windows now
for how long could she keep them shut
she shut her eyes opened the curtains
she was surprised
but that can't be how is it still
holding on it's the lease wheel Jhansi
just like mr. Behrman said you are right
ah sue get me my medicines if a tiny
leaf can brave a storm why can't I I
will find a way to recover oh don't
leave I will get whatever you want tell
me what do you need heart is very
powerful my child a powerful piece of
art can do that what doctors cannot I
know what I want
get me my canvas and some colors soothe
happiness knew no bounds she rushed and
brought all the colors she had she set
up the canvas on John sees bed who was
happy to have her friend back as time
went by Jhansi recovered completely
doctor and sue both were surprised she
no more talked about how weak she felt
or what she couldn't do in life in fact
she now discussed her new dreams with
sue I want to paint the London Bridge I
am sure that one day you will
where is mr. Behrman sue I haven't seen
him in so long huh I am glad you asked
John C I wanted to tell you this once
you had recovered completely
mr. Behrman was unwell his old age had
caught up remember the night of the
hailstorm he fell very ill that very
morning what he went to the doctor right
that was the thing with mr. Behrman I
remember he had said that when he paints
nothing can hurt him what do you mean
look at the last leaf on the wall John
see it's still there it hasn't moved
even a bit he painted it that night he
is truly a great painter in the morning
he began to shiver people took him to
the hospital I met him a day back he was
so happy he was at peace when I told him
that you had recovered I told him the
last leaf of the ivy plant had given you
strength he passed away
Jhansi No Oh No
but don't see you helped him fulfill his
dream didn't he say once that his art
will save lives one day look at that
last leaf that's his art and it saved
your life
no soup that's not just art that's a
masterpiece and I will fulfill his dream
soon the word about the last leaf and
mr. Behrman spreads through the whole
town painters poets dancer singers all
the artists were inspired they all
gathered under the ivy plant and swore
to bring art back to the Arts Ville
Street and that's what happened the
streets came alive again there were
paintings on every wall and on some
people to Johnson sue gathered their
savings and began to teach painting
under the name of the Behrman art
parents would send their younger ones to
learn the spirit of life there everybody
resumed their painting they didn't stop
working odd jobs but they enjoyed their
work now that they knew they would never
stop painting and as for John C and Sue
well people of the artful Street were
relieved to have colors back in their
lives everybody realized how important
art was then came forward to donate a
part of their earnings to the Behrman
art and soon the Behrman art grew and
became the Behrman Institute what's more
interesting with that every child in the
Behrman Institute was taught to paint
one thing before anything else
the last leaf because that leaf would
teach a very important lesson to all
where there is a will there is always
away
the giving tree' this is a story about
friendship and the unconditional love of
nature in a forest on the outskirts of
the city there was a tree which stood
tall and green it had long thick
branches its uncountable bright green
leaves blue gracelessly with the wind
birds would come from faraway places to
sit on its branches and chirp their
songs it was a beautiful and a happy
tree the trees shared a very special
bond with a small boy from a nearby town
the boy would come every day to play
with the tree after his school he would
eat the apples from the tree and play
hide-and-go-seek with it they talked for
hours and hours the boy used to share
everything with the tree his ideas his
plans for the future his thoughts and
his everyday happenings at school the
tree used to listen to the boy intently
and laugh with him they understood each
other's dreams and their bond grew
stronger he would gather the leaves to
make a crown and pretend to be the king
he would climb his trunk and swing on
his branches
the water is so clean and sparkly tree
yes it is you were lucky you have the
best view the sparkling water the
Setting Sun the breeze no wonder you are
so happy I could live here forever the
water the Sun and the breeze will always
be here I am happy when I share it with
you
you're the best tree I love you and I
love you back he would chat with the
tree for hours after playing and talking
tired the boy used to sleep in the shade
as time passed by the boy grew up and
made new friends he got busy and started
spending less time with the tree the
tree cherished the little moments it had
with the boy don't you hate it when the
Sun sets or when you lose your leaves in
the winter I become sad yes but I know
the Sun will be back the next morning
and the leaves will be back in the
spring I like to wait for them you are
right but the Setting Sun is also so
beautiful
you're lucky tree you have an amazing
view I could live here forever I don't
know much about luck but the Sun is
always here I enjoyed the most with you
you can live here forever I know you
like it it's not that easy
you don't have responsibilities I have
to work and be somebody I have to build
a future I want to be happy
aren't you happy now I am but I want
more and slowly the boys stopped
visiting the tree the tree was mostly
alone waiting to see the boy then one
day the boy came to visit the tree the
tree was happy to see him its heart
pounded with every step the boy took
towards it straightening up the tree
called out to the boy come boy come and
climb up my trunk and swing from my
branches and eat the apples and be happy
I am too big to climb your trunk or
swing on your branches Ste the sunset
boy you always like to look at it
I am busy now I want to buy things I
want to see the world why do you look
sad I want a money tree out in the world
you need money to be happy the tree
didn't want to see the boy sad take my
apples boy and sell them in the market
then you will have some money I am sorry
I don't have any money to give you I
only have leaves and apples really tree
I can do that will that make you happy
yes thank you tree you were the best so
the boy climbed up the trunk gathered
all the apples from the tree and carry
them away to sell them in the market the
tree was happy to help the boy but the
boy stayed away for a long time
and the tree was sad years past birds
came chirped their thongs and left and
the tree waited standing tall with its
long branches at the edge of the cliff
waiting for the boy to come back and
then one day the boy came back the tree
shook with joy come boy come and climb
up my trunk and swing from my branches
and be happy I don't have time to climb
trees I'm too busy I'm married now
tree I have a wife and children you
really have grown up but why don't you
look happy now this is what you wanted I
am worried tree I will be happy if I
could build a house for my family I want
to keep the warm and safe I have no
house to give you the forest is my house
but here I have branches you can cut off
my branches and make a house out of it
then you will be happy Thank You tree
the boy climbed up the trunk of the tree
and cut off all his branches and carried
them away the tree was happy to help the
boy but the boy stayed away for a long
time and the tree was sad years passed
but the boy didn't come to visit the
tree the tree could no longer talk to
the birds as they would now just circle
and fly away there were no branches left
for the birds to sit and chirp their
songs while on the ground the tree
always asked the birds about the boy but
no one had seen him
the tree grew lonely the tree stood
there at the edge of the cliff tall
trying to look for the boy it watched
the city change the tree could see the
faraway pastures being razed to build
roads and buildings
he saw the trees being cut and uprooted
and towers being built on green lands
more people came cutting the forests
around and making houses for themselves
the forest was losing its greenery
to see his house being torn down but
what could it do for it was merely a
trunk the tree was very lonely now but
it still waited eagerly for the boy then
one day the boy came to visit the tree
he now was a grown up man the tree was
so happy to see the boy that he could
hardly speak but the boy looked very sad
the boys backed down leaning against the
tree and started crying it broke the
trees heart to see him crying the tree
had no branches to Pat the boy it had no
apples to cheer him up it could give him
a support to lean on what is the matter
boy why are used toasts dad my wife left
me and my children don't care for
me anymore
I don't want to live in a place where
nobody loves me all I want now is to go
far away from here I don't want to live
here anymore you are always running
behind happiness boy you must day and
let happiness come to you there is no
happiness here if I could only build
a
boat and sail away in the sparkly waters
lie in the boat and soak in the warmth
of the Sun will you be happy then yes I
will be a peace and happy here cut my
trunk and build a boat then you can
sail away
really treat thank you you are the best
the boy got his tools and cut the trunk
of the tree he builds a boat out of it
he looks happy and relieved the tree was
happy to help the boy it watched him
build the boat then it watched him sail
away there was the Sun the breeze the
sparkling water and the boys sailing off
in it the tree didn't feel lucky now it
was sad to see the boy as he drifted
away just like the Sun he had once
talked about the tree was now only a
stump at the edge of a cliff years
passed and the tree grew lonelier he
could no longer see the faraway
buildings or Hills he could no longer
stand tall and see his house or the
people for he was merely a stump
of wood on the ground
he missed the birds he missed looking at
faraway pastures he missed the comfort
of his house but more than anything
missed the boy the boy finally came back
to the tree the city was not the
same anymore
there were now man-made buildings in
place of Mother Nature the forests had
been cut down and the green
pastures were gone
the boy was an old man now he was
finding it hard to breathe he ploughed
and walked with a stick he was wondering
if he will ever find the tree the city
is eating up the forest I hope I find my
old friend and though he did it was
right where he had left it the stump
waiting you came
I waited really long for you yes tree
it's so nice to see you I sail to
another city lived there for a few years
you are breathing heavily yes the
pollution is making it difficult to
breathe I am so sorry boy I have nothing
to offer you my apples are gone my teeth
are too weak to eat apples my branches
they're gone you cannot swing on them I
am too old to swing on branches my trunk
is gone you cannot climb my oh I'm too
tired to climb my back hurts now
the trees died
I am sorry I wish I could give you
something but I have nothing left I am
just an old stump the forest is
disappearing the concrete cannot
give clean air to breathe
trees can the building's cannot provide
for comfort how greedy a man can be
cities instead pollute fresh air don't
people understand the importance of
nature the tree didn't respond it had
nothing to say I am old now and stay
tired all the time all I want is some
fresh air to breathe and a quiet place
to sit the tree straightened as much as
he could well that's it an old stump is
good for sitting and resting come boy
sit down sit down and rest the boy sat
on the tree and took a deep breath
he watched the Sun setting in the
sparkling waters he felt the soft breeze
you are lucky tree you have the best
view this done the breeze and the
sparkling waters they then talked about
life and how the world was changing
around them the boy narrated his story
to the tree and the tree was happy
the moral of the story the relationship
of nature with man is an everlasting one
we need to respect and preserve
Mother Earth
remember trees needs men as man needs
trees preserve forests preserve nature
