The Monkey's Paw

"This monkey's paw can do strange and wonderful things. An old Indian gave the paw to one of my friends. My frined was a soldier too. This paw is magic because it can give three wishes to three people. −But remember − this monkey's paw brings unhapiness!" (p. 9-10)

　　  In this story, three wishes are granted to the owner of the monkey's paw. Tom Morris who came to see his friend White family gave it to Mr. In this story, three wishes are granted to the owner of the monkey's paw. Tom Morris who came to see his friend White family gave it to Mr. White. Even though it was after he taught the family about his unhappiness stories caused by the paw, the family was half in doubt and very curious about the magic of the paw. For the first wish, they make a wish about money. After the day, their son, Harvard, dies because of an accident in the factory. However, after the death of their son, they get money exactly the same amount of the money they wished. At the end of this story, Mr. and Mrs. White are very sad and decide to make a wish for their son to come back. At the night, someone comes to knock on their door but Mr. White makes wish something before Mrs. White opens the door. The road is quiet and there is nobody there. 

          The author does not spell out Mr. White's third wish. I guess Mr. White wished for knocking to stop and the person who is knocking to leave. I guess the lesson from this book is to be careful of what you wish for. And it is not easy to make some dreams come true without any efforts.

W.W. Jacobs. (1902). The Monkey's Paw. 

Retold by Diane Mowat (2000). Oxford, Oxford University Press