The monkey's paw summary

Описание: "The Monkey's Paw" is a short story written by W.W. Jacobs. It revolves around the White family - Mr. and Mrs. White and their son, Herbert. The story begins with the arrival of Sergeant-Major Morris, an old friend of Mr. White who has recently returned from India. Morris shares with the Whites a mysterious and potentially dangerous item - a monkey's paw that has the power to grant three wishes.

Morris warns the family about the paw's dark history and advises them to get rid of it. However, the Whites are intrigued by the possibility of having their wishes granted and decide to keep it. Despite Morris' warning that the wishes come with grave consequences, they cannot resist the temptation.

Their first wish is made by Mr. White, who wishes for £200 to pay off their mortgage. Shortly after, they receive news that their son Herbert has died in a tragic accident at work. The Whites are devastated by the loss, but they also receive a compensation of £200 from Herbert's employer as a result. Mrs. White is consumed by grief and insists that they use their second wish to bring their son back to life.

Reluctantly, Mr. White uses the second wish, and soon after, they hear knocking on their door. Mrs. White frantically demands that her husband wish their son away, fearing that he has returned in a mutilated state. Mr. White quickly makes the third and final wish.

The knocking stops, and they are left in silence. When they open the door, they find no sign of their son. Instead, the street is empty. They realize the horrible truth - their son's resurrection was accompanied by unintended consequences.

"The Monkey's Paw" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of tampering with fate and the consequences of greed. It explores themes of grief, temptation, and the fragility of human life. The story ends with a chilling twist, leaving readers with a sense of unease and the haunting question of what truly happened to their son.
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