The Monkey's Paw
The white family were perfectly normal; they had a nice house, good friends and a good reputation that was
until they were given the monkey's paw.
The white's had one son called Herbert who worked with his father in the ironworks.
Sergeant major-Morris was back from his time in the war and with him he had brought gifts and one such gift
was the monkey's paw.
One day when he was in the area he visited the White's and told them of his adventures and battles. Herbert,
who was a slightly greedy boy, asked without so much as a 'hello' or 'how are you' asked: 'Did you bring me a
present?' His mother gave him a chilling look but the Sergeant laughed, reached into one of his suitcases and
brought out the monkey's paw.
'OOOO how creepy' he exclaimed 'It's magical.' said the sergeant 'it will grant you three wishes.' 'Pfffft! as if!'
scoffed Herbert but he still took it. He liked it because it was gross and creepy but he didn't believe it had
magical powers and so, when the sergeant left, he placed the paw on a cushion and soon forgot about it.
A few days later his father said: 'Herbert! Have you made a wish on this monkey's paw yet?' 'No! of course
not that stuff is for babies!' 'Do you mind if I have a go?' asked his mother. 'Yeah alright, ' said Herbert,
turning up the music on the wireless. His mother picked up the paw and said 'I wish for 200 pounds!' the paw
did nothing and no money came. Until the next day.
The next day at work there was an accident, it turned out Herbert had been messing around and as he was
running around in the upper sections of the factory he tripped and fell into a hot pool of molten iron. Of
course the iron killed him in a matter of seconds, his parents grieved and for compensation they received 200
pounds.
'The paw!' shouted Mrs White. 'The paw worked! we got 200 pounds! it's what I wished for!' Mr White stared
at her but he knew it was true but at what cost had they received the money? 'Bring him back!' shouted Mrs
White hysterically. 'Do it!' she yelled, throwing an ornamental vase at her husband. Doubts lurked at the back
of his mind but reluctantly he made the wish. The monkey's paw did nothing. Until the next day.
