Portraying Mr. Bo-men recounting The Last Leaf story

Prompt: You are tasked with portraying Mr. Bo-men recounting The Last Leaf by O'Henry

Portraying Mr. Bo-men recounting The Last Leaf story

I. Outline Portraying Mr. Bo-men recounting The Last Leaf story

1. Introduction

The character 'I' gives a brief introduction about the circumstances, their life - leading into the old story.
 

2. Body

- Giôn-xi receives dire news from the doctor about a severe case of pneumonia.
- Despite Xiu's earnest care, Giôn-xi remains filled with despair.

3. Conclusion

The thoughts of the character 'I' in paradise.

II. Sample Essay Portraying Mr. Bo-men recounting The Last Leaf story

We all live a life with its own purpose, each having its own values and meanings. Our deeds, if stemming from sincerity and love, will forever be a good deed for someone in life. For me, I've found immense joy in creating a genuine piece of artwork, considering it a masterpiece of my life because it not only holds significance for me but also helped a girl find the will to live for herself. Now, as I reflect on the past, I cannot contain the emotions and the endless longing for the years under the sky.

Back then, I lived in a neighborhood reserved for poor artists. Life was tough and scarce, but among us, we always showed the warmest care for each other. I lived on the ground floor of a house, my neighbors were two young artists - Xiu and Giôn- xi. I often modeled for them to earn a living. Though they were just friends, they were as close as sisters, always beside each other, caring, helping, and accompanying each other. I was deeply moved, seeing them as my own daughters.

But then winter came, the chilling winds crept into every alley of the street, knocking on the doors of every room, chilling to the bone. An uninvited guest named Pneumonia brought its icy fingers, cruelly touching the bodies, infiltrating every cell in humans. He eagerly waited for those with weak resistance, and the delicate girl Giôn-xi fell victim. For days, she ate nothing, then fell ill, lying on the bed, turning her body towards the cold wall, staring through the window frame. I was horrified when the doctor said Giôn-xi might not make it unless she had the belief that she would live and fight with all her might. What could I do? I felt so sorry for the little girl, a kind, beautiful, and kind-hearted girl like her, and yet... how could heaven be so cruel? Even with a glimmer of hope, I always prayed for her recovery. She once told me and her friend about her dream of one day painting the Bay of Naples and the things she wanted to do. If she had to accept death, it would be such a regret!

But then, through Xiu's words, I learned that Giôn-xi was truly desperate, believing that death would come to her on the day the last leaves fell from the tree. I scolded her for being so foolish, for having such absurd thoughts. Despite Xiu's and my attempts to advise her, to find every way to make her happy again, to find the will to live, those thoughts still lingered in her mind. Xiu also cared for, loved, and encouraged Giôn-xi a lot, but what could we do if she insisted on those foolish thoughts.

On the morning of the 26th, I received an invitation to model for the artist upstairs, passing by Giôn-xi's room, I accidentally overheard the conversation between the two girls.

In her exhaustion, Giôn-xi looked towards the window, then whispered to Xiu:

- Please pull up the curtain, I want to see it.

Reluctantly, Xiu pulled up the curtain, fearing what would happen if there were no more leaves on the tree. When the curtain was raised, there remained only one leaf on the tree. Giôn-xi silently stared at the leaf as if looking at something distant. Throughout that day, she waited, waited for the leaf to fall and for her to die. Growing more exhausted and dispirited, seeing her poor little sister, Giôn-xi couldn't hold back, she said:

- My dear sister, please try, if you don't want to think about yourself anymore, then think about your sister here. If you have any misfortune, what would I do?

Xiu was heartbroken but remained silent, sad, desperate, as if she had prepared for a journey to another world.

It's so heartbreaking, the young, healthy, passionate girl of the past is no longer there, replaced by a thin, hopeless person, losing all faith in life. Seeing Xiu's heartache and the pitiful sight of Giôn-xi, I couldn't hold back my emotions, tears streaming down my cheeks unnoticed.

Silently stepping back into the room, my heart filled with concern, lying there contemplating the young girl, pondering about that leaf, and all the things deemed unique in life. Suddenly, an idea flashed in my mind, quickly getting up, I went to my desk, mixed green and yellow paints to create a leaf-like color, preparing a few old brushes. Waiting until evening, I took the ladder to the garden and started painting the leaf. The weather those cold winter days was freezing, and those nights were stormy, making it extremely cold. I meticulously painted the leaf on the wall under the storm lamp with all my love. The lines gradually appeared, a vivid leaf, as if alive, I still hoped that this leaf would bring some hope and faith to the life of my dear little Xiu. After everything was done, I returned to my room, wet and cold, so exhausted that I collapsed without realizing it.

The next morning, when I woke up, I saw Xiu by my side taking care of me. It turns out that when I fainted, the neighbor found me and called the doctor. Xiu came to me, telling me about her illness, because of the rain last night, my condition worsened. Then Xiu asked me about that leaf and the paint boxes scattered in the room, perhaps Xiu also understood part of the story, but I also told her about my wishes when painting that leaf. Then I asked about Giôn-xi's illness, Xiu's eyes lit up, recounting the story:

- That morning, when Xiu pulled up the curtain as usual at Giôn-xi's request, it was strange that the last leaf was still there, the only leaf that, after a stormy night, still refused to yield, clinging to life. Both of us were extremely surprised. Then Giôn-xi looked at the leaf alone while I went to cook porridge. After a while, she called me back and said:

- My dear Xiu, I'm such a troublemaker, aren't I? That leaf still exists on the tree as if to let me know how cruel I have been to myself all along and also to you, to those who love and care for me. Wanting to die is a big sin. Now my dear Xiu, please give me some milk mixed with red wine.

Before I could say anything, Xiu continued:

- Oh, wait, let me help you arrange the pillows, and get you a handheld mirror so you can sit and watch me cook, dear.

At that moment, I was so happy because Xiu showed signs of recovery, uplifted by her improved spirits. After I fed her the porridge, the two of us sat and watched the maple tree outside the window. Involuntarily, Xiu looked at me and said:

- Someday in the future, I hope to paint the beautiful Gulf of Naples, Xiu!

Then Xiu continued to tell me about the latest check-up. The doctor said Giôn-xi had recovered half way and with more care, she would be healthier and more stable. Then Xiu thanked me, and I smiled with happiness thinking about the leaf, about the belief that the girl regained when she saw that leaf. The miraculous leaf I drew indirectly brought life to a person. Xiu even said that leaf was a masterpiece of art.

Knowing I couldn't endure any longer, I asked Xiu to convey my final words to Giôn-xi and the child:

- Being born is a privilege from the heavens, it's extremely precious, even more so if that life we live is meaningful. Therefore, every minute, every second of existence should be cherished, and do as many useful things as possible. When you create a work of art, do it with all your love. A true work of art must be for humanity, intertwined with human life, my child!

Then my body grew cold, my eyes closed, sinking into eternal sleep. My soul flew to the blue sky, where I could see Giôn-xi healthy and smiling, watching over Xiu and Giôn-xi. I also knew that they had painted the Gulf of Naples according to their wishes, becoming a masterpiece, introduced to most countries. Their lives were getting better, I was proud and proud. Giôn-xi's words when lighting incense to pray deeply moved me: