The Last Leaf is a short story by the American writer O. Henry (1862-1910) commonly known in the history of American literature as "the author of surprise ending". It tells the story of an old artist who saves the life of a young neighbouring artist, who is seriously ill and dying, by giving her the will to live. O. Henry knew people very well, especially the ordinary people of New York. In his stories you can feel satirical criticism of the American way of life. Most of his short stories are full of warm sympathy for ordinary American people.