A
couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog about the subject of making wishes and
having them granted through magic. I mentioned a wonderful story by W.W. Jacobs
called “The Monkey’s Paw”.
Here
is an edited extract. An old man, Mr. White, lives with his wife and son. When his old friend, a soldier, comes to
visit, unfortunate consequences follow. In the first part, the soldier gives
Mr. White the paw. His son doesn’t
believe in the magic, and makes fun of it. In the second part, the old
couple gets a visit from one of the bosses at their son’s company. Remember that in 1902, 200 pounds was a lot
of money!
An
edited extract from “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs (1902):
"Well,
it's just a bit of what you might call magic, perhaps," said the soldier, offhandedly.
His
three listeners leaned forward eagerly.
The visitor absent-mindedly put his empty glass to his lips and
then set it down again. His host filled
it for him.
"To
look at," said the soldier, fumbling in his pocket, "it's just
an ordinary little paw, dried to a mummy."
He
took something out of his pocket. Mrs.
White drew back with a grimace, but her son, taking it, examined it
curiously.
"And
what is there special about it?" inquired Mr. White as he took it from his
son, and having examined it, placed it upon the table.
"It
had a spell put on it by an old magician," said the soldier, "He
wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered
with it did so to their sorrow. He put a
spell on it so that three separate men could each have three wishes from
it."
"Sounds
like the Arabian Nights," said Mrs. White, as she rose and began to set
the supper.
Mr.
White took the paw from the table and eyed it dubiously. "I don't know what to wish for, and
that's a fact," he said, slowly.
"It seems to me I've got all I want."
"If
you only paid off the mortgage on the house, you'd be quite happy, wouldn't
you?" said his son, with his hand on his father’s shoulder. "Well, wish for two hundred pounds,
then; that 'll just do it."
His
father, smiling shamefacedly at his own credulity, held up the talisman,
as his son, with a solemn face, somewhat marred by a wink at his
mother, sat down at the piano and struck a few impressive chords.
"I
wish for two hundred pounds," said the old man distinctly.
A
fine crash from the piano greeted the words, interrupted by a shuddering cry
from the old man. His wife and son ran
toward him.
"It moved," he cried, with a glance of disgust at the object as it lay on the floor.
"As
I wished, it twisted in my hand like a snake."
"Well,
I don't see the money," said his son as he picked it up and placed it on
the table, "and I bet I never shall."
The
next day, Mrs. White brought the stranger, who seemed ill at ease, into
the room. He gazed at her furtively,
and listened in a preoccupied fashion as the old lady apologized for the
appearance of the room. She waited for
him to state his business.
"I’m
sorry, but your son was caught in the machinery," said the visitor at
length in a low voice.
"He
died. The company admit no liability
at all, but in consideration of your son's services, they wish to present you
with a certain sum as compensation."
Mr.
White dropped his wife's hand, and rising to his feet, gazed with a look of
horror at his visitor. His dry lips
shaped the words, "How much?"
"Two
hundred pounds," was the answer.
What’s your next wish?
Vocabulary:
a
paw – The hand or foot of an animal, such as a cat or monkey
to
make fun of something – to tease or laugh at something
offhandedly
– without showing something special significance; casually
absent-mindedly
– without paying attention; with your thoughts elsewhere
to
fumble – to search for with your hand in a clumsy way; to try to pick something
up in a clumsy way
a
grimace – a facial expression which shows a strongly negative reaction, such as
disgust or pain
dubiously
– doubtfully; uncertainly
a
talisman – a charm
credulity
– willingness to believe; gullibility
solemn
– serious; grave
to
be marred – to be spoiled; to be made imperfect
to
be ill at ease – to be in discomfort
to
be preoccupied – to be thinking about something else
furtively
– in a way which seems you want to remain hidden; slyly
liability – legal responsibility
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