The Monkey's Paw W.W. Jacobs England, 1902 It was a cold and wet night, but inside the house it was warm and the fire burned brightly. Father and son were playing chess. Mother was knitting by the fire watching the game. "Listen to the wind," said Mr. White, trying to distract his son from the mistake he had made in the game. "I'm listening," said the son as he made his move. "Check." "I do not think he will come tonight," said his father as he attempted to play. "Mate." replied the son. "That's the problem living so far out" complained Mr. White, angry from the loss. "I do not think he will come." "Never mind, dear," said his wife. "Perhaps you will win the next game of chess." "There he is," said Herbert White, as the gate banged open and someone walked toward the house. Mr. White answered the door and talked with the visitor excitedly for a moment. He walked into the room and introduced the guest: 1
Sergeant Major Morris," he said. The sergeant major shook hands and sat down by the fire. Mr. White went for some drinks. The sergeant major and the family sat by the fire and he told stories of war, faraway places, and strange people. I would love to go to India myself, said Mr. White. I would like to see the old temples and fakirs and jugglers, he said. What was that story about the monkey s paw you were telling me the other day Morris? Nothing, said the soldier. Nothing worth hearing. Monkey s paw? said Mrs. White curiously. Well, it s just a little of what you would call magic, said the sergeant major calmly. His three listeners leaned in closely awaiting the story. The visitor put his glass down and began to speak. It s just an ordinary little paw, dried like a mummy. He took something from his pocket and showed them. Mrs. White moved away, but the son took it from him to examine. And what is special about it? asked Mr. White, as he took the paw from his son and looked at it. It had a spell put on it by an old fakir," said the sergeant major," a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people s lives, and that those that interfered with it lead themselves to sadness. He put a spell on it so that three different men could have three wishes from it. The three listeners laughed a little, and then Herbert White spoke. Well, why don t you have three, sir? The soldier looked at him like the middle age looks at youth. I have, he said quietly, and his face went a little white. "And did you really have the three wishes granted?" asked Mrs. White. "I did," said the sergeant major, and his glass tapped against his strong teeth. 2
"And has anybody else wished?" inquired the old lady. "The first man had his three wishes, yes," was the reply. "I don't know what the first two were, but the third was for death. That's how I got the paw." His voice was so serious that the others became very quiet. "If you've had your three wishes, it's no good to you now, then, Morris," said the old man at last. "What do you keep it for?" The soldier shook his head. "Fancy, I suppose," he said slowly. "If you could have another three wishes," said the old man, looking at him closely, "would you have them?" "I don't know," said the other. "I don't know." He took the paw, and holding it, suddenly threw it into the fire. White, with a slight cry, bent down and picked it out. "Better let it burn," said the soldier. "If you don't want it, Morris," said the old man, "give it to me." "I won't," said his friend. "I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don't blame me for what happens. Throw it on the fire again, like a sensible man." The other shook his head and examined his new possession closely. "How do you do it?" he inquired. "Hold it up in your right hand and wish aloud, said the sergeant major, "but I warn you of the consequences." "Sounds like the Arabian Nights," said Mrs. White, as she rose and began to set the supper. 3
"Don't you think you might wish for four pairs of hands for me?" Her husband drew the paw from his pocket and then all three burst into laughter as the sergeant major, with a look of alarm on his face, caught him by the arm. "If you must wish," he said, "wish for something sensible." Mr. White dropped it back into his pocket, and moving chairs, called his friend to the table. During dinner, the paw was partly forgotten, and after the three sat listening to more of the soldier's adventures in India. "If the tale about the monkey paw is not more truthful than those he has been telling us," said Herbert, after the guest had left, "we shouldn t think about it too much." "Did you give him anything for it?" inquired Mrs. White, looking at her husband closely. "A little," he said. "He didn't want it, but I made him take it. And he pressed me again to throw it away." "Likely," said Herbert, with pretended horror. "Why, we're going to be rich, and famous, and happy. Wish to be an emperor, father, to begin with. He moved around the table, followed by the Mrs. White. Mr. White took the paw from his pocket and looked at it. "I don't know what to wish for, and that's a fact," he said slowly. "It seems to me I've got all I want." "If you only paid off the house, you'd be quite happy, wouldn't you?" said Herbert, with his hand on his shoulder. "Well, wish for two hundred pounds, then; that'll just do it." His father held up the paw as his son sat down at the piano and played a little. "I wish for two hundred pounds," said the old man clearly. A fine crash from the piano greeted the words, interrupted by a cry from the old man. His wife and son ran toward him. 4
"It moved, he cried, with a look of disgust at the object as it lay on the floor. "As I wished it twisted in my hands like a snake." "Well, I don't see the money," said his son, as he picked it up and placed it on the table, "and I bet I never will." They sat down by the fire again while the two men finished their pipes. Outside, the wind was higher than ever, and the old man started nervously at the sound of a door banging upstairs. The three were quiet for a while and then the couple went to bed. "I expect you'll find the cash tied up in a big bag in the middle of your bed," said Herbert, as he said good night, "and something horrible sitting up on top of the dresser watching you as you take your money." He sat alone in the darkness, staring at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. The last face was so horrible that he gazed at it in amazement. It got so vivid that, with a little uneasy laugh, he felt on the table for a glass containing a little water to throw over it. His hand held the monkey's paw, and with a little shiver he wiped his hand on his coat and went up to bed. In the bright sun the next morning Herbert laughed at his fears. The feeling was lighter than the night before, and the little paw was on a table in the side of the room. "I suppose all old soldiers are the same," said Mrs. White. "The idea of our listening to such nonsense! How could wishes be granted in these days? And if they could, how could two hundred pounds hurt you, father?" "Might drop on his head from the sky," said Herbert. "Morris said the things happened so naturally," said his father, "that it seemed like coincidence." 2 5
"Well, don't break into the money before I come back," said Herbert, as he rose from the table. "I'm afraid it'll turn you into a mean man, and we shall have to disown you." His mother laughed, and following him to the door, watched him down the road, and returning to the breakfast table, laughed again at her husband believing in the paw. "Herbert will have some more of his funny remarks, I expect, when he comes home," she said, later that day as they sat at dinner. "I dare say," said Mr. White, pouring himself out some beer; "but for all that, the thing moved in my hand; that I'll swear to." "You thought it did," said the old lady soothingly. "I say it did," replied the other. "There was no thought about it; I had just What's the matter?" His wife made no reply. She was watching the mysterious movements of a man outside, who, looking at the house, appeared to be trying to make up his mind to enter. In mental connection with the two hundred pounds, she noticed that the stranger was well dressed and wore a new, silk hat. Three times he paused at the gate, and then walked on again. The fourth time he stood with his hand upon it, and then opened it and walked up the path. Mrs. White put away her apron and rushed to the door. She brought the stranger into the room. He gazed at her nervously, and listened in a as the old lady apologized for the appearance of the room. She then waited as patiently as possible for the man to explain the reason he was there. "I was asked to call," he said at last, and stooped and picked a piece of cotton from his trousers. "I come from Maw and Meggins." The old lady started. "Is anything the matter?" she asked breathlessly. "Has anything happened to Herbert? What is it? What is it?" 6
Mr. White interrupted. "There, there, mother," he said. "Sit down, and don't jump to conclusions. You've not brought bad news, I'm sure, sir" and he looked at the man hopingly. "I'm sorry " began the visitor. "Is he hurt?" demanded the mother. The visitor nodded. "Badly hurt," he said quietly, "but he is not in any pain." "Oh, thank God!" said the old woman. "Thank God for that! Thank " She broke off suddenly as she realized what the man meant. She caught her breath, and turning to her slower witted husband, laid her trembling old hand upon his. There was a long silence. "He was caught in the machinery," said the visitor at length, in a low voice. "Caught in the machinery," repeated Mr. White, in a dazed fashion, "yes." "He was the only one left to us," he said, turning gently to the visitor. "It is hard." The other coughed, and rising, walked slowly to the window. "The company wanted me to give our apologies," he said, without looking round. "I beg that you will understand I am only their servant and merely obeying orders." There was no reply. Both the mother and father sat with blank looks on their faces. "I was to say that Maw and Meggins disclaim all responsibility," continued the other. "They admit no liability at all, but in consideration of your son's services they wish to present you with something as compensation." Mr. White dropped his wife's hand, and rising to his feet, gazed with a look of horror at his visitor. His dry lips shaped the words, "How much?" "Two hundred pounds," was the answer. 7
The man could not hear his wife s scream as he put out his hands and fell to the floor. 3 In the huge new cemetery, some two miles away, the old people buried their son, and came back to a house full of silence. It was all over so quickly that at first they could hardly realize it, and remained in a state of expectation as though something else might happen something else which was to make them happy again. But the days passed, and the couple stopped waiting for something to make them feel good. They hardly spoke with each other as now they had little to say. About a week after, the old man, waking suddenly in the night, stretched out his hand and found himself alone. The room was dark, and the sound of crying came from the window. "Come back," he said tenderly. "You will be cold." "It is colder for my son," said the old woman, and she started to cry again. The sound of her crying died away on his ears. The bed was warm, and his eyes heavy with sleep. He started to sleep again until a sudden wild cry from his wife awoke him with a start. "The paw!" she cried wildly. "The monkey's paw!" He started up in alarm. "Where? Where is it? What's the matter?" She came stumbling across the room toward him. "I want it," she said quietly. "You've not destroyed it?" "It's in the parlour," he replied. "Why?" 8
She cried and laughed together, and bending over, kissed his cheek. "I only just thought of it," she said hysterically. "Why didn't I think of it before? Why didn't you think of it?" "Think of what?" he asked. "The other two wishes," she replied quickly. "We've only had one." "Was not that enough?" he demanded. "No," she cried, triumphantly; "we'll have one more. Go down and get it quickly, and wish our boy alive again." The man sat up in bed. "Good God, you are crazy!" he cried. "Get it," she said; "get it quickly, and wish Oh, my boy, my boy!" Her husband struck a match and lit the candle. "Get back to bed," he said,. "You don't know what you are saying." "We had the first wish granted," said the old woman; "why not the second." "A coincidence," replied the old man. "Go and get it and wish," cried the old woman, shaking with excitement. The old man turned and regarded her, and his voice shook. "He has been dead ten days, and besides he I would not tell you else, but I could only recognize him by his clothing. If he was too terrible for you to see then, how now?" "Bring him back," cried the old woman, and dragged him toward the door. "Do you think I fear the child I have nursed?" He went downstairs into the darkness and found the paw. He was afraid of the wish that would bring back his mutilated son. Even his wife's face seemed 9
changed as he entered the room. It was white and expectant, and seemed to have an unnatural look upon it. He was afraid of her. "Wish!" she cried, in a strong voice. "It is foolish and evil," he said. "Wish!" repeated his wife. He raised his hand. "I wish my son alive again." The paw fell to the floor, and he looked at it fearfully. Then he sank into a chair as the old woman, with burning eyes, walked to the window and raised the blind. He sat until he was cold with fear, looking occasionally at his wife staring out the window. After a while, the man went back to bed relieved that the wish had failed. A few moments later, his wife joined him. Neither spoke, but both lay silently listening to the ticking of the clock. Finally the man went downstairs to get some matches and light a candle. At the bottom of the stairs his candle went out. Then he heard a knock at the door. The candle fell from his hand. He stood motionless until the knock repeated. Then he turned and rushed back to his room closing the door behind. A third knock sounded through the house. "What's that?" cried the old woman. "A rat," said the old man, in shaking tones "a rat. It passed me on the stairs." His wife sat up in bed listening. A loud knock sounded through the house. "It's Herbert!" she screamed. "It's Herbert!" She ran to the door, but her husband grabbed her before she could leave. "What are you going to do?" he whispered. "It's my boy; it's Herbert!" she cried. "I forgot it was two miles away. What are you holding me for? Let go. I must open the door." 10
"For God's sake, don't let it in," cried the old man trembling. "You're afraid of your own son," she cried, struggling. "Let me go. I'm coming, Herbert; I'm coming." There was another knock, and another. The old woman suddenly broke free and ran from the room. Her husband followed to the landing, and called after her as she hurried downstairs. He heard her undoing the locks on the door. Then the old woman's voice, strained and panting. "The bolt," she cried loudly. "Come down. I can't reach it." But her husband was on his hands and knees looking wildly on the floor in search of the paw. If he could only find it before the thing outside got in. More knocks sounded throughout the house and he heard his wife moving a chair in front of the door to open the bolt. He heard the creaking of the bolt as it came slowly back, and at the same moment he found the monkey's paw, and said his third and last wish. The knocking stopped suddenly, although the echoes of it were still in the house. He heard the chair drawn back and the door opened. A cold wind rushed up the staircase, and a long loud cry of disappointment and misery from his wife gave him courage to run down to her side, and then to the gate beyond. The street lamp flickering opposite shined on a quiet and empty road. 11
Questions Reading Comprehension Questions 1. Why does the family ask for 200 pounds? 2. Where did Herbert work? 3. How does the couple get the 200 pounds? 4. What is the 2nd wish? 5. What is the 3rd wish? 12
Language Questions Match the words from the story with the definitions. Juggler Mummy Fakir Inquire Stumbling Tenderly Trembling Gaze Relieved Expectant Almost falling To look at Softly, with support Dead body wrapped in cloth Performer who throws things in the air Waiting for something Thankful or calmed Religious leader Ask Shaking 2. In which verb tense is the story mainly written? 3. What does the term "jump to conclusions" mean? 13
Discussion Questions 1. How does the chess game at the beginning impact the story? What about that Herbert, the son, won the game? 2. Do you think all three family members believed in the paw at first? Who believed more than the others? 3. Why do you think the father gave his friend money for the paw when the sergeant major didn't want money and clearly didn't want the paw anymore. 4. What would you have wished for at first? 5. What do you think the father wished for 3rd? 6. What would you have wished for last if you had been the father? 7. Did the story end the way you though it would? 8. Why did the fakir place a spell on the paw? Do you think the lesson was true for the family? 9. Where do you think the story took place? 10. Would you recommend this story? Would you like to read other writing by W.W. Jacobs? 14
Answers Reading Comprehension Questions 1. Why does the family ask for 200 pounds? That is the amount of money they need to pay for the mortgage on their home. 2. Where did Herbert work? He worked for Maw and Meggins. 3. How does the couple get the 200 pounds? Herbert's company paid the parents because of the accident at the factory. 4. What is the 2nd wish? For Herbert to be alive again 5. What is the 3rd wish? For Herbert to be gone or dead again 15
Language Questions Match the words from the story with the definitions. Juggler Mummy Fakir Inquire Stumbling Tenderly Trembling Gaze Relieved Expectant Almost falling Stumbling To look at Gaze Softly, with support Tenderly Dead body wrapped in cloth Mummy Performer who throws things in the air Juggler Waiting for something Expectant Thankful or calmed Relieved Religious leader Fakir Ask Inquire Shaking Trembling 2. In which verb tense is the story mainly written? The simple past 3. What does the term "jump to conclusions" mean? To believe something is true before knowing for sure 16