The Monkey's Paw facts for kids

"The Monkey's Paw" is a famous short story about wishes and their unexpected, often scary, results. It was written by William Wymark Jacobs and first came out in 1902. This story is known for being one of the most chilling horror tales in English literature. It features a magical item, a dried paw from a monkey, that can grant three wishes. But be careful what you wish for, as the story shows that wishes can have very surprising and negative outcomes.

About "The Monkey's Paw"

"The Monkey's Paw" is a supernatural story. This means it includes things that are not natural or normal, like magic or ghosts. It is a short story, which is a piece of fiction that is shorter than a novel. The story was first published in a book called The Lady of the Barge. It quickly became very popular because of its suspense and scary ideas.

What is the story about?

The story is about the White family: Mr. White, Mrs. White, and their son, Herbert. One night, an old friend, Sergeant-Major Morris, visits them. He has traveled a lot and tells them about a strange item he owns: a mummified monkey's paw. He explains that a holy man put a spell on the paw. This spell allows the paw to grant three wishes to three different people.

Morris warns the family that the paw brings bad luck and sadness to those who use it. He even tries to throw it into the fire, but Mr. White saves it. Despite the warnings, Mr. White decides to keep the paw.

The First Wish

The family does not believe Morris's warnings at first. They are curious about the paw. Mr. White makes the first wish: he wishes for two hundred pounds (a sum of money). Soon after, a man from Herbert's workplace arrives with terrible news. Herbert has been caught in a machine and has died. The company offers the White family two hundred pounds as a payment for their loss. The wish was granted, but in a tragic way.

The Second Wish

Mrs. White is heartbroken by her son's death. She remembers the monkey's paw and begs Mr. White to wish Herbert back to life. Mr. White is scared, but he makes the second wish. Later that night, they hear a knocking at their door. It sounds like someone is trying to get in. Mrs. White believes it is Herbert. She rushes to open the door.

The Third Wish

Mr. White is terrified of what might be outside. He fears that Herbert would not look the same after being dead for so long. He quickly grabs the paw and makes the third and final wish. Just as Mrs. White opens the door, the knocking stops. When she looks outside, there is no one there. The wish made Herbert disappear. The story ends with the family left with their grief and the terrible lessons learned from the monkey's paw.

Who wrote "The Monkey's Paw"?

The author of "The Monkey's Paw" was William Wymark Jacobs. He was an English writer, born in 1863. Jacobs was known for his humorous stories about sailors and life on the docks. However, he also wrote a few very famous horror stories, with "The Monkey's Paw" being the most well-known. He had a talent for creating suspense and a chilling atmosphere.

Why is it famous?

"The Monkey's Paw" is one of the most famous horror short stories ever written. It is known for its strong message about being careful what you wish for. The story explores themes like fate, greed, and the dangers of trying to change what is meant to be. Its scary ending leaves a lasting impression on readers.

The story's popularity led to many adaptations. It has been made into several movies and a theatre play. It has also inspired countless other stories, TV shows, and even songs. Its simple but powerful plot continues to scare and fascinate audiences today.

Images for kids

• 

  Illustration for "The Monkey's Paw" by Maurice Greiffenhagen, from Jacobs' short story collection The Lady of the Barge (1902)

• 

  Nina Quartero in a publicity still from the 1933 film version

See also

In Spanish: La pata de mono para niños