The Monkey's Paw

In “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs, a curious man wishes three times on a magical monkey’s paw, only to discover how interfering with fate may result in a negative way. The story begins on a cold, wet, windy night. Mr. White, an elderly man, plays chess with his son, Herbert, at their home while they wait for a visitor. Once Sergeant Major Morris, the visitor, arrives, he entertains the Mr. White, Mrs. White, and Herbert by telling of his adventures around the world. During this conversation, Mr. White asks Sergeant Major Morris about a monkey’s paw that Morris had begun to describe a previous day. Morris attempts to shrug it off, but when questioned by Mrs. White, Morris quickly changes his mind and provides an explanation. Morris speaks of an old fakir who put a spell on a monkey’s paw “to show ...