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The monkey’s paw by W. W. Jacobs – forbestory.com – story for kids
“The Monkey’s Paw” is a classic horror short story by W. W. Jacobs, first published in 1902. It explores themes of fate, consequence, and the dangers of tampering with destiny. Here’s a summary of the story and its key themes:
Summary:
Plot:
The story begins with the White family—Mr. and Mrs. White and their son Herbert. They are living a comfortable but unremarkable life in England. One evening, they are visited by Sergeant-Major Morris, who tells them about a magical monkey’s paw he brought back from India. The paw, he explains, has the power to grant three wishes to its owner but comes with dire consequences.
Despite the sergeant-major’s warnings about the paw’s curse, Mr. White becomes intrigued and takes it home. The Whites initially dismiss the warnings but decide to test the paw’s power.
First Wish: Mr. White makes a wish for two hundred pounds (a substantial sum of money). The next day, Herbert goes to work as usual but is later killed in a workplace accident. The family receives exactly two hundred pounds in compensation for Herbert’s death.
Second Wish: Devastated by their loss, Mrs. White persuades Mr. White to use the paw to bring Herbert back to life. Despite his reservations, Mr. White makes the wish.
Third Wish: There is a knock at the door in the middle of the night, and Mrs. White is convinced that Herbert has returned. Mr. White, fearing the potential horror of what might be at the door, uses the final wish to undo the previous one, asking for his son to be gone again.
When Mrs. White opens the door, there is no one there, and the family is left to grapple with the consequences of their ill-fated desires.
Moral:
The moral of “The Monkey’s Paw” is “Be careful what you wish for; you might get it.” It demonstrates how tampering with fate and wishing for things beyond one’s control can lead to unexpected and often disastrous outcomes.
Key Themes:
- Fate and Consequences: The story explores the theme of fate and how attempts to alter it can have unforeseen and tragic consequences.
- Greed and Desire: It highlights how greed and the desire to change one’s circumstances can lead to unintended suffering.
- The Supernatural: The monkey’s paw itself symbolizes the dangers of engaging with supernatural forces and the perils of trying to control the uncontrollable.
“The Monkey’s Paw” is a chilling tale that uses supernatural elements to explore human desires and the repercussions of meddling with fate. Its suspenseful plot and moral lessons have made it a staple of horror literature.
