The Monkey’s Paw is a supernatural short story written by W. W. Jacobs, first published in 1902. The story centers on the White family, who receive a magical monkey’s paw from a visiting friend, Sergeant-Major Morris. The paw is said to grant three wishes to its owner, but with grave consequences. Despite being warned about its dark powers, Mr. White uses it to make a wish for money, unknowingly setting in motion a tragic series of events that lead to the loss of their son.

The story explores themes such as fate, the consequences of human desire, and the dangers of interfering with the natural order. Through suspenseful storytelling and dramatic irony, Jacobs delivers a powerful message about the cost of wish fulfillment and the unpredictability of life. The Monkey’s Paw remains a classic in horror fiction, known for its eerie mood and moral lesson that “fate rules people’s lives, and those who interfere with it do so to their sorrow.”