The Monkey’s Paw: Someone Is at the Door
Saved from the fire
The soldier threw the wishing paw into the fire. Mr White snatched it out. “Three wishes,” the soldier said. “Leave it there.”
A small wish
His son Herbert laughed. “Enough to pay off the house, then.” He rested a hand on his father’s shoulder. “Two hundred pounds.”
Nothing appeared
Mr White raised the paw and wished. Something twisted against his fingers. Herbert checked beneath the table. No money.
Before supper
Next morning, Herbert left for the factory, still teasing them about their fortune. His mother watched him down the road.
A stranger instead
The visitor arrived without Herbert. He turned his hat between his hands. There had been an accident with the machinery.
The price
Their son was dead. The company denied responsibility, the man said, but offered compensation. Mr White asked how much.
Exactly enough
“Two hundred pounds.” The paw lay on the sideboard. Nobody reached for it.
Two wishes left
They buried Herbert. Ten days after his death, his mother woke in the dark. There were still two wishes left.
The same child
“Bring him back.” Her husband shook his head. He had seen the body. She took his hand. “He is still our son.”
The first knock
He wished Herbert alive again. The paw dropped to the bedroom floor. They waited in darkness. At last, a knock came from downstairs.
Two kinds of love
She ran for the door. He caught her arm. “Don’t.” She pulled free. “I’m coming, Herbert.” The knocking grew louder.
One bolt remained
The chain slid back. The lower bolt opened. She dragged a chair beneath the last bolt. The door stayed shut.
The last wish
Upstairs, he found the paw. As the last bolt moved below, he whispered his third wish. The knocking stopped.
Nobody on the road
She opened the door. The road was empty. Her husband came down and stood beside her. Neither of them moved to close it.
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