The Last Leaf Class 9 Questions and Answers
Textbook Questions
Think about it
Question 1.
What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live?
जौन्सी की क्या बीमारी है? (उसका इलाज क्या है) उसे क्या ठीक कर सकता है दवाई अथवा जीने की चाह?
Answer:
Johnsy was suffering from pneumonia. She had high fever. That made her weak both mentally and physically. She lost desire to live and nursed a baseless belief that she would die with the falling of the last leaf of the creeper on the wall opposite her window. No medicine had any effect on her. The doctor had told her friend Sue that no medicine could cure her unless she revived her desire to live. She tried to revive her interest in life by talking of fashion and clothes but failed then she brought her board and started whistling cheerfully while painting. That, too did not work.
At last when in the morning Johnsy saw that the last leaf on ivy did not fall in spite of heavy rain and stormy wind, she thought perhaps God did not want her to die. She regained interest in life and asked Sue to give her a mirror and a lot of soup. She started recovering after that. Thus, we see that desire or willingness to live is more effective and important to cure a disease than any medicine.
Question 2.
Do you think the reeling of depression Johnsy is common among the teenagers?
क्या आप सोचते हैं जौन्सी जैसी उदासीनता की भावना युवाओं HOT?
Answer:
Yes, I think the feeling of depression as Johnsy has is common among the teenager.
The young minds are immature, sensitive, emotional and imaginative. Sometimes when they are physically and mentally weak, they nurse baseless and irrational beliefs. Such beliefs become so firm that no amount of persuasion or reasoning can shake them away. As it happens in the case of Johnsy who believes that she would die with the falling of the last leaf on the creeper on the wall opposite his window.
No reasoning shakes her belief. Only when it proves false, she changes her mind and shakes away the fear. Similar fears are quite common among the young. They start associating such fears with something real. When that proves false, their fear also goes away.
Question 3.
Behrman has a dream. What is it? Does it come true?
बहरमन का एक सपना है। वह क्या है? क्या वह सच्चा निकलता
Answer:
Behrman had cherished a dream. It was to paint a masterpiece. He had become sixty. He was not able to realise his dream that far. Behrman had a kind, loving, sympathetic heart. He comes to know of Johnsy’s baseless but firm belief that she would die with the falling on the last leaf on the ivy creeper on the wall opposite her window. It was a storiny night. The leaf was sure to fall and it did. When Behrman saw this he thought it would support Johnsy belief and she would lose hope of living. Behrman decided to save Johnsy’s life. He painted an ivy leaf on the wall opposite her window in heavy rain and strong wind.
In the morning when Johnsy saw the last leaf still on the ivy, inspite of heavy rain and stormy wind, she thought perhaps God wanted her to live and she revived her desire to live. In fact, the ivy leaf painted by Behrman looked so real that even Sue and Johnsy who were themselves artists could not make out that it was only a painting and not a real leaf. It was Behrman’s masterpiece. So Behrman’s dream came true though he had to sacrifice his life for it as he caught pneumonia and died of it.
Question 4.
What is Behrman’s masterpiece? What make Sue say so?
बहरमन की महान कृति क्या थी? सू ऐसा क्यों कहती है?
Answer:
Behrman’s masterpiece was the painting of an ivy leaf. Sue says so because it looked so real that Johnsy and she herself could not make out that it was only a painting and not a real leaf. Moreover, its presence at the ivy creeper had saved her friend Johnsy’s life who mistook it to be real leaf and revived her desire to live. It was a masterpiece of Behrman in the real sense.
IV. Very Important Examination Questions
Extract-based Objective Type Questions
Read the extracts given below carefully and answer the questions with the help of the given options :
Question 1.
Johnsy fell very seriously ill in November. She had pneumonia. She would lie in he moving, just gazing out of the window.
(i) When did Johnsy fall seriously ill?
(a) In mid October
(b) In November in the autumn season.
(c) In beginning of Sept.
(d) In the last December.
Answer:
(a) In mid October
(ii) What was Johnsy suffering from?
(a) Pneumonia
(b) Typhoid
(c) Malaria
(d) Cancer
Answer:
(b) Typhoid
(iii) What was she doing whole day?
(a) She was knitting sweater.
(b) She was writing short stories.
(c) She was lying in her bed without moving just gazing out of the window.
(d) She was just singing songs.
Answer:
(c) She was lying in her bed without moving just gazing out of the window.
(iv) What can cure Johnsy, the medicine or the willingness to live?
(a) She was willingly singing songs to live.
(b) She pretends to hide her illness.
(c) The willingness to live is more important to cure than medicine.
(d) She belived in medicine to live.
Answer:
(c) The willingness to live is more important to cure than medicine.
Question 2.
“I have been a bad girl. You have looked after me so lovingly and I have not co-operated with you. I have been depressed and gloomy. The last leaf has sisown me how wicked I have been. I have realized that it is a sin to want to die.”
(i) Who looked after Johnsy so lovingly?
(a) Johnsy’s real sister looked after her.
(b) An old man looked after her.
(c) Johnsy’s close friend Sue looked after her very lovingly.
(d) Johnsy’s younger brother looked after her.
Answer:
(c) Johnsy’s close friend Sue looked after her very lovingly.
(ii) What message did the last leaf give to Johnsy?
(a) Johnsy regained the courage and will to live.
(b) Johnsy motivated her close friend.
(c) Sue took a very good moral from the last leaf.
(d) Johnsy was very much impressed with the last leaf.
Answer:
(a) Johnsy regained the courage and will to live.
(iii) When did the desire to live revive in Johnsy?
(a) When she shared her story with Sue.
(b) When she went to temple to pray to God.
(c) When Johnsy saw the last ivy leaf was still there in spite of stormy weather.
(d) She took the meditation and revived.
Answer:
(c) When Johnsy saw the last ivy leaf was still there in spite of stormy weather.
(iv) Why was Johnsy repenting?
(a) She was repenting on her behaviour.
(b) She did not belive in God so she repented.
(c) She wishhaved her friend.
(d) She did not pray to God.
Answer:
(a) She was repenting on her behaviour.
Question 3.
“What is it, dear?” Sue asked.
“Six,” whispered Johnsy. “They are falling faster now. Three days ago there were almost a hundred leaves. There are only five left now.”
(i) How many leaves were there three days ago?
(a) Only one hundred and fifty leaves were there three days ago.
(b) Almost fine hundred leaves were three.
(c) Just sixty leaves were there there days ago.
(d) Almost a hundred leaves were there three days ago.
Answer:
(d) Almost a hundred leaves were there three days ago.
(ii) The leaves are falling faster, only five are left now. What does this convey to Johnsy?
(a) It conveyed to her that her death was approaching fast.
(b) It conveyed to her the life was reviving.
(c) It was a symbol of new energy for Sue.
(d) It conveyed to her she was recovering fast.
Answer:
(a) It conveyed to her that her death was approaching fast.
(iii) How did Johnsy associate herself with the falling of leaves?
(a) Johnsy was feeling very happy.
(b) She was feeling depressed.
(c) She thought she would recovering fast.
(d) She was feeling the weather was becoming change.
Answer:
(b) She was feeling depressed.
(iv) How many leaves are left now?
(a) Just ten leaves are left now.
(b) Only five leaves are left now.
(c) Only two leaves are remaining.
(d) No leaves is remaining now.
Answer:
(b) Only five leaves are left now.
Question 4.
Sue tried her best to make Johnsy take an interest in things around her. She talked about clothes and fashions, but Johnsy did not respond. Johnsy continued to lie still on her bed.
(i) What did Sue talk about with Johnsy?
(a) She talked about fashion pared.
(b) She often talked about great fashion desiners.
(c) She talked about clothes and fashion.
(d) She talked about celebrities.
Answer:
(c) She talked about clothes and fashion.
(ii) How do you know that Sue was not successful in making Johnsy respond to things around her?
(a) as show as standing beside Johnsy.
(b) Sue waited for a long time in making her respond.
(c) Johnsy set up her mind that the falling of leaves reflect her approaching death.
(d) Sue could not support her avy longer.
Answer:
(c) Johnsy set up her mind that the falling of leaves reflect her approaching death.
(iii) Who were Sue and Johnsy?
(a) Sue ard johnsy were two real sister.
(b) Both were fast friends.
(c) Sue and Johnsy were neighbours.
(d) Both were two young artists.
Answer:
(d) Both were two young artists.
(iv) What had happened to Johnsy?
(a) Johnsy was under pressure of work load.
(b) Johnsy was down to fever.
(c) She was depressed and set up her mind she would die with the fall of the last leaf.
(d) She was deeply attached with her friend.
Answer:
(c) She was depressed and set up her mind she would die with the fall of the last leaf.
Question 5.
Sue anxiously looked out of the window. She saw an old ivy creeper climbing half-way up the brick wall opposite their window. In the strong wind outside, the creeper was shedding its leaves.
(i) What did Sue see outside the window?
(a) She saw an old woman
(b) She saw that a child was sitting an a bench.
(c) She saw an old ivy creeper climbing half way up the wall.
(d) She saw the rain was falling.
Answer:
(c) She saw an old ivy creeper climbing half way up the wall.
(ii) What was the effect of the strong wind on the creeper ?
(a) The strong wind made the creeper strong.
(b) The effect of the strong wind was very suitable.
(c) The strong wind made the creeper shed its leaves.
(d) The strong wind made the creeper bond down.
Answer:
(c) The strong wind made the creeper shed its leaves.
(iii) How did Sue react when she learnt about Johnsy’s belief regarding the falling leaves of the ivy creeper ?
(a) She called it nonsense.
(b) She reacted on it saying a very lovely scene.
(c) She was very upset seeing the leaves falling
(d) She was overjoyed and full of anergy.
Answer:
(a) She called it nonsense.
(iv) Where was the old ivy creeper ?
(a) It was at the high mountain wall.
(b) The old ivy creeper was on the house wall where sue was living.
(c) It was climbing half way up the brick wall opposite their window.
(d) The ivy creeper was on the edge of the canal.
Answer:
(c) It was climbing half way up the brick wall opposite their window.
Question 6.
Johnsy woke up next morning. In a feeble voice she asked Sue to draw the curtains. Sue was nervous. She drew back the curtains very reluctantly.
(i) When Johnsy woke up next morning, what did she ask Sue to do?
(a) She asked Sue to draw the curtains.
(b) She asked to tell a short story.
(c) She asked her to write a poem on nature.
(d) She asked to go to the garden.
Answer:
(a) She asked Sue to draw the curtains.
(ii) What did Johnsy want to see outside the window?
(a) Johnsy wanted to see whether the rain was still falling.
(b) She wanted to see if any person was standing there.
(c) She wanted to see if the last leaf of the tree servived.
(d) Johnsy wanted to see if there was no chance to servive.
Answer:
(c) She wanted to see if the last leaf of the tree servived.
(iii) Why was Sue nervous ?
(a) Sue was nervous about the servival of Johnsy.
(b) She was nervous about the departure for home.
(c) Sue was nervous about the fact of the last leaf of the ivy creeper had fallen or not.
(d) She was nervous for her own survival.
Answer:
(c) Sue was nervous about the fact of the last leaf of the ivy creeper had fallen or not.
(iv) How could Johnsy’s life be saved ?
(a) Sue could tell Johnsy stories full of adventures.
(b) Sue could motivate her by telling moral values.
(c) Behrman painted a leaf on the ivy creeper and she saw it as real and he changed her mind.
(d) Sue could bring Johnsy to the world of fantasy.
Answer:
(c) Behrman painted a leaf on the ivy creeper and she saw it as real and he changed her mind.
Short Answer Type Questions
II. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words:
Question 1.
What has happened to Johysy ? Who saves her life?
जौन्सी को क्या हुआ? किसने उसकी जान बचाई?
Answer:
Johnsy fell seriously ill in November. She developed pneumonia. She would lie in her bed without moving, just gazing out of the window. There was no change in her condition despite the doctor visiting her daily. She felt that she would die with the falling of the last leaf of the ivy creeper. She was finally saved with the combined efforts of her friend Sue and the painter. The painter painted an ivy leaf on the wall that looked so real that it convinced Johnsy that it was the real leaf of the ivy creeper, the last one, that survived the heavy raints and gave her the hope of living her life with zest and willingness.
Question 2.
How did Behrman react to Johnsy’s fancy? What did he do in order to save her life?
बहरमन ने जौन्सी की कहानी पर क्या प्रतिक्रिया दिखाई? उसने
Answer:
When Sue told Behrman that Johnsy was convinced about her death when the last leaf fell, Behrman went and looked at the leaf. It seemed as if the leaf would fall any minute now. Being a painter, his cherished dream was to paint a masterpiece. So, that night, in the cold, snowy wind he painted a leaf in the place where the last leaf had been, for the leaf had axeady fallen.
Question 3.
Johnsy apologises to Sue for being a bad girl. Why ? Give reasons.
जौन्सी सू से एक बुरी लड़की होने के लिए माफी माँगती है। क्यों? कारण देकर स्पष्ट करें।
Answer:
Johnsy was feeling depressed and gloomy during her illness. She interpreted the falling of the ivy leaves to her approaching death. But when she saw the leaf surviving the harsh and fierce storms, she regained her courage and will to live. She apologised to Sue for her bad behaviour that she did not cooperate with Sue when she was looking after her so lovingly. She realised that it is a sin to want to die.
Question 4.
What all was found lying near Behrman’s bed after his death?
बहरमन की मृत्यु के बाद उसके पास क्या चीजें पड़ी थीं?
Answer:
Mr. Behrman died of pneumonia. His clothes and shoes were wet and he was shivering when the Janitor found him on his bed. A ladder, a lighted lantern, some brushes and paints were also found.
Question 5.
Why could not Sue draw the curtain ?
सू पर्दा क्यों नहीं खींच पाई?
Answer:
Sue could not draw the curtain as she needed the light. She wanted to finish the painting and get some money for themselves. She requested Johnsy not to look out of the window while she was painting.
Question 6.
Who are Sue and Johnsy ? Where do they live ?
सू और जौन्सी कौन हैं? वे कहाँ रहती हैं?
Answer:
Sue and Johnsy were the two young artists who shared a small flat. The flat was on the third storey of an old house.
Question 7.
Suggest two ways by which you can overcome dejection and pessimism in life. Take ideas from your lesson – “The Last Leaf”.
दो तरीके बताएँ जब आप ज़िन्दगी से निराश हो जाएँ तो क्या करें | ‘ द लास्ट लीफ’ से उदाहरण लें।
Answer:
Whenever we tend to get pessimistic and feel dejected in life, we may take up an activity and engage ourselves fully into it. It is said that an idle mind is a devil’s workshop’. In the story Sue talks to Johnsy about the latest fashion and clothes. In the same way, we should also take interest in knowing about such things around us. An optimistic approach energises our weak, and dull mind.
Question 8.
How did Johnsy link her life with falling leaves of the Ivy creeper?
जौन्सी ने अपनी ज़िन्दगी आइवी बेल के पत्तों के गिरने के साथ कैसे जोड ली?
Answer:
Johnsy interpreted the falling of the leaves as her approaching death. She had been watching the falling leaves and had decided that with the fall of the last leaf, she would die. She found herself as poor and tired as the leaves falling off the creeper. She had lost her will to live so, even medicine has been ineffective for her. Therefore, her condition was deteriorating day-by-day.
Question 9.
What does Sue do to make Johnsy take interest in things around her?
सू ने क्या प्रयत्न किए कि जौन्सी अपनी आस-पास की वस्तुओं में रुचि लेने लग जाए?
Answer:
To remove Johnsy’s depression, Sue tries to revive Johnsy’s interest in things around her. She talked about clothes and fashion. She brought a drawing board in Johnsy’s room. She painted and whistled to entertain Johnsy. But Johnsy responded to nothing. She was lost in her own thoughts.
Long Answer Type Questions
III. Answer the following questions in about 100-150 words :
Question 1.
As Johnsy, write a letter to your friend describing how you have been saved by Behrman.
आप जौन्सी हैं, अपनी सहेली को एक पत्र लिखें कि बहरमन ने आपकी जान कैसे बचाई?
Answer:
D-114, Mayur Vihar,
Delhi.
26 Aug., 20…
Dear Jane,
I hope this letter finds you in sound health. I received your good wishes. I would not die, at least for the sake of friends and well-wishers. Sue had been very caring and loving towards me but I was gloomy and depressed, Besides, Mr. Behrman instilled the positive spirit to living with his masterpiece. He had heard that I had lost all hopes of living and had been waiting for the last leaf of ivy tree to fall. The leaf had fallen the previous night but Mr. Behrman had drawn a leaf in its place. I did not realise that it was a painted one. The sight of the last leaf somehow revived my hope of recuperating. But the heartrending news was that he had died of pneumonia, as he had troubled himself to paint the leaf in the cold stormy night. I feel guilty because of his death. I’ve no words to thank him.
Yours faithfully,
Johnsy
Question 2.
Which character in the story “The Last Leaf” do you admire the most? Which values of the character make you admire him/her ?
इस कहानी का कौन सा पात्र आपको सबसे ज्यादा प्रशंसनीय लगता है? उसके कौन-से गुण आपको इतना प्रभावित करते हैं कि आप प्रशंसा करते हैं?
Or
Write the character-sketch of Sue.
सू का चरित्र-चित्रण कीजिए।
Answer:
Sue is a very admirable character in the story, The Last Leaf“. Sue and Johnsy were two young artists. Sue was loyal and loved her friend, Johnsy. When Johnsy fell ill, Sue sent for the doctor who visited her everyday. But Johnsy stopped responding to treatment as she had fallen into depression. Sue tried her best to make her comfortable. She tried to make her take an interest in things around her. She talked about clothes and fashions just to distract her attention. Sue also brought her drawing board into Johnsy’s room and started painting to take her mind off her illness but nothing helped as Johnsy had lost her will to live. In desperation, Sue went to Behrman and poured out her worries to him. This shows her concern for her friend. Her efforts saved Johnsy from the clutches of death. She proved to be a true friend.
Question 3.
Johnsy could not get better despite the efforts made by the doctor and her friend Sue. Discuss the negative feelings that keep one ailing and also discuss the values which remove such feelings and infuse a person with a desire to live?
जौन्सी सेहत से अच्छी नहीं हो पाती। डाक्टर का इलाज व उसकी सहेली के प्रयल भी जौन्सी को अच्छी सेहत नहीं दे पाते। वे क्या नकारात्मक विचार थे जो उसको बीमार रख रहे थे? उन मूल्यों पर चर्चा कीजिए जो एक व्यक्ति को जीने की इच्छा देते हैं?
Or
“The Last Leaf” is a story of hope and willpower that works more than the medicine to light the lamp of the life of Johnsy. Elaborate it.
जौन्सी के जीवन के दीये को जलाए रखने के लिए दवा से अधिक आशा और इच्छा-शक्ति काम आती है। ‘द लास्ट लीफ’ कहानी यही दर्शाती है।
Answer:
After a prolonged illness, Johnsy could not build up any hope of her survival. She became gloomy and depressed. She started counting the leaves that remained on the ivy creeper after the storm. It was as if she had been counting her last days. It was this negative mindset that deteriorated Johnsy’s health, stopping her from having any hope of revival. The doctor on his part gave her the best treatment, while Sue tried her best to keep her in good spirits. It is a natural phenomenon that dry leaves would fall in autumn. But Johnsy applied the same to her life, counting her days as the leaves fell. It is always the mind that controls one’s spirit. Good and positive feelings energise a person. Behrman painted the last leaf in place of the original leaf which had fallen.
His positive approach gave life to Johnsy. Seeing the last leaf intact even after the storm, Johnsy was convinced that she would not die. Again, Sue’s words that Johnsy should live for her sake also took effect. Besides, Sue stood by Johnsy’s side when she was ill. Sue looked after her ailing friend selflessly, dutifully, and sincerely. Behrman’s sacrifice also helped Johnsy regain her lost interest in life. All must imbibe these values to develop a healthy attitude towards life.
Question 4.
Write the character-sketch of Behrman.
बहरमन का चरित्र-चित्रण कीजिए।
Or
“The Last Leaf’ is a story of supreme sacrifice. Discuss.
‘द लास्ट लीफ’ कहानी महान त्याग की है। वर्णन कीजिए।
Or
Who was Behrman? What was his life-long dream? Could he realise his dream ?
बहरमन कौन था? उसके जीवन का सपना क्या था? क्या वह अपना सपना पूरा कर सका?
Or
How did Behrman’s singular achievement create a masterpiece ?
किस प्रकार बहरमन की एक उपलब्धि से उसकी श्रेष्ठ कृति बन गई?
Answer:
Behrman was a sixty year old artist who lived on the ground floor of the house where Sue and Johnsy lived. His life-long dream was to paint a masterpiece but so far he was not able to paint one. He also acted as a model for the other artists to earn a little more money. Behrman came to know from Sue about the silly belief of Johnsy that she would die with the falling of the last leaf of an ivy creeper. It was autumn season, trees and plants were shedding their leaves. Moreover, the weather was stormy and it was raining heavily.
The last leaf of the creeper fell down, too, at night. Behrman knew that in the morning when Johnsy would see the last leaf fallen, she would become all the more depressed and might die. So in that stormy weather he painted an ivy leaf which proved to be his masterpiece because it looked so real that even Johnsy and Sue who themselves were good artists could not make out that it was only a painting and not a real leaf. He saved the life of a girl but himself died of pneumonia. So we see that before dying Behrman was able to realise his dream of painting a masterpiece.
I. Summary In English
Johnsy’s attack of pneumonia and her silly belief:
Sue and Johnsy were young artists. They were friends and shared a flat on the third storey of a house. Once in November, Johnsy had an attack of pneumonia. She had high fever and thought she would not get well. The doctor told Sue that no medicine can cure her friend till she had a will to live. Sue tried hard to revive her friend’s interest in life but failed. Then she brought her drawing-board in Johnsy’s room. She started painting and whistling a cheerful tune to brighten the mood of her friend. It was then she heard Johnsy’s whisper. She was looking out of the window and counting backwards. At Sue’s enquiry she told her that she was counting the falling leaves of the ivy creeper that was climbing the brick wall opposite her window. She also told her that she would die when the last leaf would fall.
Sue tried to convince – her belief was foolish :
Sue told her that it was silly of her to associate her life with the falling leaves. It was autumn season. Moreover, it was windy and raining heavily. The falling of leaves was natural. But Johnsy was not convinced. She had formed a strong belief that she would die with the falling of the last leaf.
Sue told Behrman about Johnsy’s sickness and silly belief:
Sue then went to Behrman. He was a sixty years old painter who lived on the ground floor of the same house. Behrman had a life long dream to paint a masterpiece but for the time being he acted as a model for the other artists. Sue went to him to ask him to act as a model of an old miner. Sue told Behrman about Johnsy’s sickness and her silly belief.
Behrman painted ivy leaf-his masterpiece :
That night it rained heavily and the wind blew very hard. When in the morning Johnsy asked Sue to open the window, she got worried. But both felt relieved for the last leaf was clinging to the ivy creeper. This changed Johnsy’s belief. She thought perhaps it was wicked of her to think of dying. She drank soup and combed her hair. Her interest in life was revived.
Doctor told about Behrman catching pneumonia :
The doctor was happy to see the change in Johnsy. He told the friends that he had to see another patient – an old painter, Mr. Behrman for he was also suffering from pneumonia.
Sue told Johnsy about Behrman’s death :
The next day Sue told Johnsy that Behrman had died of pneumonia. When the real last leaf had fallen, Behrman painted a leaf that looked so real that Johnsy could not make out that it was not the real leaf but only a painting. It was Behrman’s masterpiece. It was raining heavily and the chilly wind was blowing so Behrman caught cold and high fever. The ladder, bowls of green and yellow colours, brushes and a lighted lamp told the whole story. Behrman had done a supreme sacrifice. He had saved the life of a girl by painting his masterpiece, a real looking ivy leaf.
II. Complete Text With Hindi Translation
Text (Page 44) : It is autumn. The wind is blowing hard and it is raining heavily. All the leaves on an ivy creeper have fallen, except one. Why doesn’t the last leaf fall?
Vocabulary : autumn (STCH) season between summer and winter when leaves fall 5 TT ; blowing (ब्लॉइंग) moving of air हवा का बहना; ivy (आइवी) climbing clinging evergreen plant fara creeper (1) plant that creeps along ground/tree/wall T, WATI
अनुवाद : (पतझड़ का मौसम है। हवा बहुत जोर की चल रही है और तेज बारिश हो रही है। आईवी ‘सिरपंचे’ की बेल के सारे पत्ते झड़ गए हैं सिवा एक के। आखिरी पत्ता क्यों नहीं झड़ रहा?)
Text (Page 44) : Sue and Johnsy, two young artists, shared a small flat. The flat was on the third storey of an old house.
Johnsy fell very seriously ill in November. She had pneumonia. She would lie in her bed without moving, just gazing out of the window. Sue, her friend, became very worried. She sent for the doctor. Although he came every day there was no change in Johnsy’s condition.
Vocabulary : storey (स्टोरी) floor मंजिल: gazing (गेजिंग) looking steadily एक टक देखना; sent for (सेन्ट फॉर) to call बुला भेजा।
अनुवाद : सू और जौन्सी दो युवा कलाकार हैं जो एक ही फ्लैट में साँझे रूप से रहती हैं। उनका फ्लैट मकान की तीसरी मंजिल पर है। नवम्बर में जौन्सी गम्भीर रूप से बीमार पड़ जाती है। उसे निमोनिया हो गया है। वह अपने बिस्तर में बिना हिले-डुले खिड़की से बाहर एकटक देखती रहती है। सू, उसकी सखी बहुत चिन्तित हो गई। उसने डाक्टर को बुला भेजा। हालाँकि डाक्टर प्रतिदिन आता था पर जौन्सी की हालत में कोई सुधार या बदलाव नहीं था।
Text (Page 44) : One day the doctor took Sue aside and asked her. “Is anything worrying Johnsy?”
“No,” replied Sue. “But why do you ask?”
The doctor said “Johnsy, it seems, has made up her mind that she is not going to get well. If she doesn’t want to live, medicines will not help her.” Sue tried her best to make Johnsy take an interest in things around her. She talked about clothes and fashions, but Johnsy did not respond. Johnsy continued to lie still on her bed. Sue brought her drawing-board into Johnsy’s room and started painting. To take Johnsy’s mind off her illness, she whistled while working
Vocabulary : worrying (aftet) causing anxiety चिन्तित कर रही है; make up one’s mind (मेक अप वन्स माइंड) to resolve मन बनाना; respond (रसपोन्ड) answer/react प्रत्युत्तर देना।
अनुवाद : एक दिन डाक्टर सू को एक तरफ ले गया और उससे पूछा, “क्या जौन्सी को कोई चिन्ता लगी है?”
“नहीं तो”, सू ने उत्तर दिया “पर आप यह क्यों पूछ रहे हैं?” डाक्टर ने कहा, “लगता है जौन्सी ने अपना मन बना लिया है कि उसे अच्छा नहीं होना है। अगर वह जीना नहीं चाहेगी तो कोई भी दवा उसकी मदद नहीं करेगी।”
सू ने भरसक प्रयत्न किया कि जौन्सी अपने आस-पास की चीजों में दिलचस्पी ले। उसने फैशन और कपड़ों की बातें की परन्तु जौन्सी ने कोई प्रत्युत्तर नहीं दिया। वह बिस्तर पर बिना हिले-डुले पड़ी रही। सू अपना ड्राईंग-बोई जौन्सी के कमरे में ले आई और चित्र पेन्ट करना आरम्भ कर दिया। जौन्सी का ध्यान उसकी बीमारी से हटाने के लिए वह काम करते हुए एक खुशनुमा सीटी बजाने लगी।
Text (Page 44) : Suddenly Sue heard Johnsy whisper something. She quickly rushed to the bed and heard Johnsy counting backwards. She was looking out of the window and was saying, “Twelve !” After sometime she whispered eleven”, then “ten”, then “nine”, “eight”, “seven”. Sue anxiously looked out of the window. She saw an old ivy creeper climbing half-way up the brick wall opposite their window. In the strong wind outside, the creeper was shedding its leaves.
Vocabulary : whisper (form) to say something using breath फुसफुसाना; anxiously (एंगशियसली) feeling anxiety/troubled डर मिश्रित उत्सुकता; brick (ब्रिक) rectangular piece of clay ईंट; shedding (शैडिंग) falling झड़ना।
अनुवाद : अचानक सू ने जौन्सी को कुछ फुसफुसाते सुना। वह एकदम उसके बिस्तर की ओर भागी और जौन्सी को उल्टी गिनती गिनते सुना। वह खिड़की के बाहर देख रही थी और कह रही थी, “बारह”। कुछ समय बाद वह फुसफुसाई “ग्यारह”, फिर “दस”, फिर “नौ”,”आठ”, “सात”। सू ने डर मिश्रित उत्सुकता से खिड़की के बाहर देखा। उसने एक पुरानी आइवी की बेल खिड़की के सामने वाली ईट की आधी दीवार तक चढ़ी देखी। बाहर तेज हवा में बेल के पत्ते झड़ रहे थे।
Text (Page 45): “What is it, dear?” Sue asked.
“Six,” whispered Johnsy. “They are falling faster now. Three days ago there were almost a hundred leaves. There are only five left now.”
“It is autumn,” said Sue, “and the leaves will fall.”
“When the last leaf falls, I shall die,” said Johnsy with finality. “I have known this for the last three days.”
“Oh, that’s nonsense,” replied Sue. “What have old ivy leaves to do with your getting well? The doctor is confident that you will get better.”
Vocabulary : finality (फाइनैलिटी) with end results अन्तिम रूप से; confident (कॉन्फीडेन्ट) feeling certain विश्वासपूर्ण।
अनुवाद : “यह क्या है प्रिय?” सू ने पूछा।
“छ:” जौन्सी फुसफुसाई, “अब वह बहुत तेजी से झड़ रहे हैं। तीन दिन पहले इस पर लगभग 100 पत्ते थे। अब केवल पाँच बचे हैं।”
“यह पतझड़ है”, सू ने कहा “पत्ते तो झड़ेंगे ही”।
“जब आखिरी पत्ता झड़ जाएगा तो मेरी मृत्यु हो जाएगी।” जौन्सी ने अन्तिम रूप से बात कही। “मैं पिछले तीन दिन से इस बात को जानती हूँ।”
“ओह, यह एकदम बकवास है।” सू ने कहा “तुम्हारे ठीक होने से पुरानी आइवी की बेल के पत्तों का क्या लेना देना? डाक्टर को पूरा भरोसा है कि तुम ठीक हो जाओगी।”
Text (Pages 45-46) : Johnsy did not say anything. Sue went and brought her a bowl of soup.
“I don’t want any soup,” said Johnsy. “I am not hungry… Now there are only four leaves left. I want to see the last one fall before it gets dark. Then I will sleep forever.”
Sue sat on Johnsy’s bed, kissed her and said, “You are not going to die. I can’t draw the curtain for I need the light. I want to finish the painting and get some money for us. Please my dear friend,” she begged Johnsy, “promise not to look out of the window while I paint.”
Vocabulary :bowl (sa) deep round hollow dish कटोरा; soup (सूप) liquid food made by cooking meat/ vegetables रस, सूप, शोरबा; forever (फॉर एवर) for always सदा के लिए।
अनुवाद : जौन्सी ने कुछ नहीं कहा। सू गई और उसके लिए एक सूप का कटोरा ले आई। “मुझे कोई सूप नहीं चाहिए।” जौन्सी ने कहा “मुझे भूख नहीं है .. … अब केवल चार पत्ते बचे हैं। मैं अन्धेरे से पहले आखिरी पत्ते का झड़ना देखना चाहती हूँ। तब मैं भी सदा की नींद सो जाऊँगी।”
सू जौन्सी के बिस्तर पर बैठ गई। उसे चूमा और कहा, “तुम मरने नहीं जा रही। मैं पर्दा नहीं खींच सकती क्योंकि मुझे रोशनी की जरूरत है। मैं पेन्टिंग को खत्म करके अपने लिए कुछ पैसा पाना चाहती हूँ। कृपया मेरी प्यारी सखी,” उसने जौन्सी से भीख मांगी “मुझे वचन दो जब तक मैं पेन्ट करती हूँ तुम बाहर नहीं देखोगी।”
Text (Page 46): “All right,” said Johnsy. “Finish your painting soon for I want to see the last leaf fall. I’m tired of waiting. I have to die, so let me go away peacefully like one of those poor, tired leaves.”
“Try to sleep,” said Sue. “I have to paint an old miner. I will call Behrman up to be my model.”
She rushed down. Behrman lived on the ground floor.
He was a sixty-year-old painter. His lifelong dream was to paint a masterpiece but that had remained a dream. Sue poured out her worries to Behrman. She told him how Johnsy was convinced that she would die when the last leaf fell.
“Is she stupid?” asked Behrman. “How can she be so foolish?”
“She is running a high temperature,” complained Sue. “She refuses to eat or drink and that worries me a lot.”
“I will come with you and see Johnsy,” Behrman said.
Vocabulary : tired (टायड) fatigued थका हुआ; pour out (पोर आउट) to cause to flow उड़ेलना; masterpiece (मास्टरपीस) a piece of the highest workmanship अति उत्तम रचना/कृति; remained (रिमेन्ड) continued to be रहा/रही; worries (वरीज) makes anxious चिन्तित करना; convinced (कन्विन्सड) felt certain विश्वस्त हुई; stupid (स्टुपिड) foolish मूर्ख।
अनुवाद : “ठीक है” जौन्सी ने कहा “अपनी पेन्टिंग को जल्दी खत्म करो मैं आखिरी पत्ते को गिरता हुआ देखना चाहती हूँ। मैं प्रतीक्षा करके थक गई हूँ। मुझे मरना है अत: मुझे शान्तिपूर्वक जाने दो जैसे वह बेचारे थके पत्ते जा रहे हैं।”
“सोने की कोशिश करो”, सू ने कहा, “मुझे एक बूढ़े खान वाले की पेन्टिंग बनानी है। मैं बहरमन को अपना मॉडल बनने के लिए बुलाने जा रही हूँ।”
सू नीचे भागी। बहरमन पहली मंजिल पर रहता था। वह 60 वर्ष का कलाकार था। उसकी जिन्दगी का उद्देश्य था-एक अति उत्तम रचना बनाना, पर यह उसका सपना ही बन कर रह गया। सू ने अपनी सारी चिन्ताएँ यहरमन को बता दीं। उसने उसे बताया कि कैसे जौन्सी को पक्का विश्वास है कि वह आखिरी पत्ते के झड़ते ही मर जाएगी। “क्या वह मूर्ख है?” बहरमन ने पूछा “वह इतनी बेवकूफ कैसे हो सकती है?”
“उसको बहुत तेज बुखार है”, सू ने शिकायत की “उसने खाना-पीना छोड़ दिया है। इससे बहुत चिन्ता हो रही है।”
“मैं तुम्हारे साथ आता हूँ और जौन्सी को देखता हूँ।” बहरमन ने कहा।
Text (Page 46) : They tiptoed into the room. Johnsy was sleeping. Sue drew the curtains together and they went to the next room. She peeped out through the window. There was only one leaf on the creeper. It was raining heavily and an icy-cold wind was blowing. It seemed as though the leaf would fall any minute now. Behrman did not say a word. He went back to his room.
Vocabulary : tiptoed (142ty) walk very quietly पंजों के बल चलना।
अनुवाद : वह दबे पांव कमरे में आए। जौन्सी सो रही थी। उसने पर्दा खींचा और दूसरे कमरे में चली गई। उसने खिड़की से बाहर झांक कर देखा। केवल एक पत्ता बचा था बेल पर। बहुत तेज वर्षां हो रही थी और बर्फानी हवा चल रही थी। ऐसा लग रहा था कि अब पत्ता किसी भी क्षण गिर जाएगा। बहरमन ने एक शब्द भी नहीं कहा। वह अपने कमरे में वापस चला गया।
Text (Pages 46-47) : Johnsy woke up next morning. In a feeble voice she asked Sue to draw the curtains. Sue was nervous. She drew back the curtains very reluctantly. “Oh !” Sue exclaimed as she looked at the vine creeper.
“Look, there is still one leaf on the creeper. It looks quite green and healthy. In spite of the storm and the fierce winds, it didn’t fall.”
Vocabulary : feeble (फीबल) weak कमज़ोर; peeped out (पीपड् आउट) बाहर झांका; reluctantly (रिलक्टेंटली) __unwillingly अनिच्छापूर्वक।
अनुवाद : जौन्सी अगली सुबह जगी। बड़ी कमजोर आवाज में उसने सू को पर्दा हटाने को कहा। सू घबरा गई। बड़ी अनिच्छा पूर्वक उसने पर्दा हटाया।
“ओ!” सू बेल को देख हैरान होकर बोली “देखो बेल पर अभी भी एक पत्ता है। यह हरा और स्वस्थ लग रहा है। आँधी और तेज हवाओं के बावजूद वह गिरा नहीं।”
Text (Page 47): “I heard the wind last night,” said Johnsy. “I thought it would have fallen. It will surely fall today. Then I’ll die.”
“You won’t die,” said Sue energetically. “You have to live for your friends. What would happen to me if you die?”
Johnsy smiled weakly and closed her eyes. After every hour or so she would look out of the window and find the leaf still there. It seemed to be clinging to the creeper.
Vocabulary: surely (शूअली) certainly निश्चित रूप से; energetically (इन्जै टिकली) full of energy/vigour शक्ति/स्फूर्ति से भरा; clinging (क्लिगिंग) holding tightly चिपका हुआ/कस कर पकड़ना।
अनुवाद : “मैंने पिछली रात हवा को सुना था” जौन्सी ने कहा “मैंने सोचा यह गिर गया होगा। आज अवश्य यह झड़ जाएगा। तब मैं मर जाऊँगी।” “तुम नहीं मरोगी” सू ने स्फूर्तिपूर्वक चहकते हुए कहा “तुम्हें अपने दोस्तों की खातिर जिन्दा रहना होगा। अगर तुम मर गई तो मेरा क्या होगा।”
जौन्सी कमजोरी में मुस्कराई और उसने अपनी आँखें बन्द कर ली। लगभग हर घंटे बाद वह खिड़की से बाहर देखती और पाती कि पत्ता अभी वहीं है। ऐसा लग रहा था कि वह बेल से चिपका पड़ा है।
Text (Page 47) : In the evening, there was another storm but the leaf did not fall. Johnsy lay for a long time looking at the leaf. Then she called out to Sue.
“I have been a bad girl. You have looked after me so lovingly and I have not cooperated with you. I have been depressed and gloomy. The last leaf has shown me how wicked I have been. I have realised that it is a sin to want to die.”
Sue hugged Johnsy. Then she gave her lots of hot soup and a mirror. Johnsy combed her hair and smiled brightly.
In the afternoon the doctor came. After examining his patient he told Sue, “Johnsy now has the will to live. I am confident she’ll recover soon. Now I must go downstairs and see Behrman. He is
also suffering from pneumonia. But I am afraid, there is no hope for him.”
Vocabulary:depressed (डिपैस्ड) sad उदास; gloomy (ग्लूमी) sad उदास; wicked (विकेड) bad immoral शैतान; sin (सिन) breaking law of God पाप; hugged (हग्ड)embraced
बाहुपाश में लेना; will (विल) desire इच्छा; recover (रिक्वर) get well ठीक होना।
अनुवाद : शाम को फिर आँधी आई परन्तु पत्ता नहीं झड़ा। जौन्सी बहुत देर तक पत्ते को देखती रही। तब उसने सू को बुलाया। “मैं एक खराब लड़की हूँ। तुमने इतनी प्यार से मेरी देखभाल की और मैंने तुम्हारा साथ नहीं दिया। मैं बहुत हताश और उदास हो गई थी। आखिरी पत्ते ने मुझे बता दिया है कि मैं कितनी धूर्त। शैतान हूँ। मुझे यह एहसास हो गया है कि मरना चाहना पाप है।”
सूने जौन्सी को गले लगाया। तब उसे बहुत-सा गर्म सूप दिया और एक शीशा भी। जौन्सी ने कंघी की और खुशी से मुस्कराई।
मध्यान्तर में डाक्टर आया। अपने मरीज़ की जाँच करके उसने सू से कहा “जौन्सी में अब जीने की चाह है। मुझे पूरा विश्वास है वह जल्दी ठीक हो जाएगी। अब मुझे नीचे जाना है बहरमन को देखने। उसे भी निमोनिया हो गया है। पर मुझे डर है उसके बचने की कोई आशा नहीं है।”
Text (Page 47) : The next morning Sue came and sat on Johnsy’s bed. Taking Johnsy’s hand in hers she said, “I have something to tell you. Mr. Behrman died of pneumonia this morning. He was ill for only two days. The first day the janitor found him on his bed. His clothes and shoes were wet and he was shivering. He had been out in that stormy night.”
Vocabulary : janitor (जैनीटर) caretaker of a building बिल्डिंग का रख-रखाव करने वाला; shivering (शिवरिंग) trembling कांपते हुए; ladder (लैडर) two lengths of wood/ metal joined with cross pieces used for climbing लकड़ी/धातु की बनी सीढ़ी; lantern (लेन्टन) oil lamp लालटेन; flutter (12) move about in quick irregular way फड़फड़ाना।
अनुवाद : अगली सुबह सू आई और जौन्सी के बिस्तर पर बैठ गई। जौन्सी का हाथ अपने हाथ में लेकर उसने कहा, “मुझे तुम्हें कुछ बताना है। श्रीमान बहरमन की आज सुबह मृत्यु हो गई। वह केवल दो दिन बीमार रहा। पहले दिन बिल्डिंग के रख-रखाव करने वाले ने उसे बिस्तर पर पाया। उसके कपड़े और जूते गीले थे और वह कांप रहा था। वह तूफानी रात में बाहर था।”
Text (Page 48): Then they found a ladder and a lantern still lighted lying near his bed. There were also some brushes and green and yellow paints on the floor near the ladder. “Johnsy dear,” said Sue, “look out of the window. Look at that ivy leaf. Haven’t you wondered why it doesn’t flutter when the wind blows? That’s Behrman’s masterpiece. He painted it the night the last leaf fell.”
अनुवाद : तब उन्होंने पाई एक सीढ़ी और एक लालटेन जो अभी भी उसके बिस्तर के पास जल रही थी। कुछ ब्रश और हरे तथा पीले रंग के पेन्ट फर्श पर सीढ़ी के पास पड़े थे। “प्रिय जौन्सी” सू ने कहा “खिड़की के बाहर देखो उस आइवी के पत्ते को। तुम्हें हैरानी नहीं हुई कि वह हवा चलने पर फड़फड़ाता क्यों नहीं? वह बहरमन की अति उत्तम कलाकृति है। उसने उसे उस रात पेंट किया जब आखिरी पत्ता झड़ गया था।”