Once Upon a Reading -- with Ali Tareque | “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry.

In this live session, I’ll be reading one of the most quietly devastating short stories ever written: “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry. Set in a cramped Greenwich Village studio, the story begins with illness, despair, and a young artist who believes her life will end when the last leaf falls from a vine outside her window. What follows is a deceptively simple tale of hope, sacrifice, and art—where a single, unseen act changes everything. First published in 1907 in O. Henry’s collection The Trimmed Lamp, The Last Leaf remains a masterclass in economy, compassion, and emotional reversal—proof that a short story doesn’t need grand gestures to leave a lasting wound. Thursday, December 18, 2025 9:00 AM CST · 9:00 PM BDT Live on YouTube A brief closing reflection will follow the reading.