A Reflection
The Monkey’s Paw
By W. Jacobs (1863-1943)
S
ergeant
Major Morris
who has just came back from
India
paid a visit to the
Whites
and showed
them a dried monkey’s paw which had a spell put on it. One could have three wishes from ‘the monkey’s paw’, but Sergeant Major Morris said it would bring a disaster and threw it upon the fire. Mr.
White stooped down and snatched it up. “If you don’t want it Morris, give it to me”, said Mr. White. “I
threw it in the fire. If you want it, you may keep it,” he replied. After the guest left, Mr. White took out the paw
and wished for two hundred pounds.
The paw moved and Mr. White was startled. The next morning, a gentleman knocked on the door. “I come
from Maw and Meggins your son’s employer. Herbert was caught in the machinery. Badly hurt, but he is not in
any more pain.” The visitor said quietly. The Whites were dumbfounded.
“I beg that you will understand. I am only their servant and merely obeying orders. I was to say that Maw
and Meggins disclaim all responsibility. They admit no liability at all, but in consideration of your son’s
services, they wish to present you with a certain sum as compensation.”
Mr. White gazed with a look of horror at his visitor. His dry lips shaped the words, “How much?” Two
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hundred pounds was the answer.
A week after the funeral, Mrs. White cried wildly for the monkey’s paw. “I want it.” she said quietly. “You’ve
not destroyed it?” “It’s in the parlor, on the bracket,” Mr. White replied, marveling. “Why?” “I only just
thought of it,” she said hysterically. “The other two wishes. Why didn’t I think of it before?” she replied rapidly.
“What wish?” he asked. “Wish our boy alive again. Bring him back,” cried the old woman. “It is foolish and
wicked,” he faltered. “Wish!” repeated his wife. He took out the monkey’s paw and raised his hand. “I wish my
son alive again.”
The talisman fell to the floor, and he regarded it fearfully. After a while, a knock sounded on the front
door. “What’s that?” cried Mr. White, starting up. “It’s my son!” she screamed. She ran to the door. He heard
the chain rattle back and the bottom bolt drawn slowly and stiffly from the socket. But her husband was on
his hands and knees groping wildly on the floor in search of the paw. “For God’s sake, don’t let it in,” cried Mr.
White trembling. He heard the creaking of the bolt as it came slowly back, and at the same moment he found
the monkey’s paw, and frantically breathed his third and last wish. The knocking ceased 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 wail 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 shone on a quiet and
deserted road.
This is the plot of W. Jacobs ‘The Monkey’s Paw.’ The story gives us insight on what we should think about
while we are in this world. What is more important ‘what we’ve got’ or ‘what we’ve lost?’ How can you compare
two hundred pounds with the life of your son? You have to think about it deeply. Are you losing anything
precious while your heart is set on satisfying desires in your life? While we are achieving something and
satisfying our fleshly desires, we are, without our knowledge, losing and destroying something more precious...
faith, love, hope, etc.
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