Text-II       Epitome of Wisdom                   Unit-4: THE LAST LEAF

                    -William Sidney Porter (1862 – 1910) O. Henry

Sudie, familiarly called Sue, was Johnsy’s friend. They stay in Greenwich Village and practice art. They have the same tastes in art, chicory and bishop sleeves. While Sue belongs to Maine, Johnsy belongs to California. They set up a joint studio. Soon Johnsy is stricken by pneumonia. She lies on her bed scarcely moving.

The doctor informs Sue that Johnsy has only one chance in ten and that one chance is for her to want to live. Medicine can cure only half the disease and the other half depends on the will power of the patient. Being very loving to Johnsy, Sue cries. However, Sue arranges her drawing board and starts a pen and ink drawing for a magazine story, Johnsy makes low sounds repeatedly. Sue goes near her and finds that Johnsy is looking out the window and counting numbers backward. She is counting the leaves falling from the ivy vine on the next brick house. Three days ago, there were almost a hundred leaves but now there are only five leaves. Johnsy feels that when the last leaf falls, she will die. But Sue is brave and rational. She brushes away Johnsy’s fear as nonsense. She argues that everybody in New York riding on the street cars or walking besides a new building has only one chance in ten. So, Sue asks Johnsy to take some broth. She is also making arrangements to buy port wine and pork chops for Johnsy.

Johnsy does not need anything to drink or eat since the remaining leaves have started falling and she will go after the last leaf falls. Sue appeals to Johnsy to close her eyes and not look out the window. She must finish the drawings by the next day. Then she draws the window shade down and asks Johnsy to try to sleep and not to move till she comes back from a visit to Behrman’s studio.

Sue tells Behrman about Johnsy’s fears. She has all sympathy for Johnsy. She tells him that Johnsy is very ill and weak. She prepares Behrman to help Johnsy out of her illness. Braving the rain and snow, Behrman paints an ivy leaf on the brick wall sitting outside the window. Next morning Johnsy looks at the painted leaf and thinks the last leaf has not fallen from the ivy plant. This paves the way to Johnsy’s recovery from pneumonia. She realizes that it is a sin to want to die. She asks Sue for a little broth and some milk with a little port wine in it. She hopes to paint the Bay of Naples someday. It is Sue who has masterminded her recovery from the point of death. Certainly a friend in need is a friend indeed. The doctor says Jphnsy has even chances now. With good nursing by Sue, she will recover completely. The next day the doctor declares that Johnsy is out of danger. She needs nutrition and care. Sue will take care of them.

Thus, Sue saves the life of Johnsy. Certainly she is true, sincere and helpful friend.

Unit-5: THE CONVOCATION SPEECH

-Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy (20 Aug.1946)

India has made considerable strides of development in the recent times. But it is docked by deep poverty, illiteracy, ill-health, malnutrition and corruption. Bright, idealistic and confident youngsters are becoming hopeless, diffident, self-seeking and unhappy by the time they reach forty years of age. The Indian political system and environment must be blamed for this situation. This is not how India can be built into a great nation. N.R.Narayana Murthy emphasizes that the dreams of the founders of the nation can be realized only by maintaining the idealism, confidence, hope, energy and enthusiasm of every Indian.

There seems to be hope for us to solve our endemic problems. For the first time in 300 years our economy is progressing. So our poverty can be overcome. We can wipe off the tears of the poorest child as Mahatma Gandhi desired. By driving away the darkness around us, we can make India a better country for all people.

N.R.Narayana Murthy hopes that thirty years from now the situation will be different. The people will have confidence, hope and faith in the country. They will create a developed India and solve the problems of poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition and ill-health. They will be respected for their achievements. Every nation will want to trade with India. Foreign students will come to study in India.

In order to achieve this transformation and make India a better and happy place, a few inputs are necessary. They look simple but they are hard to follow. First of all, the people must identify themselves as Indians and rise above their narrow attachments to their states, regions and castes. These are narrow domestic walls. Only the merit must be taken into consideration. Whatever role the people get, they must play it with enthusiasm. The people must inculcate strict discipline. Then only they will get success. They must get rid of their self-interests and biases. They must realize that the interests of the nation are foremost importance. There is no substitute for hard work. For the sake of long term glory, the people must be prepared to make short term sacrifices. They must lead others by their personal example.

N.R.Narayana Murthy prays to god to give the people the required strength, determination and character to transform India into a successful nation. He exhorts the people to seize the opportunity and achieve great things with a happy mind.