Summary

“The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs starts with Mr White and his son Herbert, who are playing chess while Mrs White is knitting by the fire. Mr White is waiting for a visitor, Sergeant-Major Morris. When the man finally arrives, he tells them stories about his time in India and, at one point, they begin to talk about a monkey’s paw the Major owns which has been enchanted by a fakir (an Indian magician) to grant three wishes to three different men.

The Major reveals that he is the second man to have his wishes granted and throws the paw into the fire. The paw is rescued by Mr White who wants to keep it. The Major, however, warms him about the dangers of the enchanted paw and advises him not to make any wish. Still, Mr White decides to keep the paw.

After the Major leaves, the family discusses the paw and Major’s story about it. Mr White claims...