Short story reflecting several recurring themes in his work, such as art, responsibility, and faith. The story follows Niggle, a perfectionist painter who lives in a small village. His greatest ambition is to complete a painting of a tree, but he is constantly interrupted by his neighbor Parish and various distractions, preventing him from making progress on his work. Despite his efforts, he never manages to finish his painting the way he desires.
The tale takes a profound and philosophical turn when Niggle, after his death, faces a judgment in the afterlife. There, he discovers the true value of his life and work, understanding that his artistic effort was not in vain, even though he never reached the perfection he so desperately wanted. The story also introduces Parish, Niggle’s neighbor, who in a final twist becomes a sort of collaborator in the creation of the tree.
Leaf by Niggle is an allegory about human life, art, perseverance, and the relationship of the individual with the community. Tolkien uses the story to explore the struggle between the desire to achieve perfection in art and the limitations of daily life, while also emphasizing the importance of humility and cooperation with others. Through this story, Tolkien delves into spiritual matters, as Niggle’s character reflects an inner struggle between selfishness and responsibility toward others.