They are expecting a visitor, who turns out to be a Sergeant Major. The father knows him from a previous job. The Sergeant Major was only a young boy, who worked in a warehouse before he went to War. The family were curious about the soldier’s experiences, particularly the old man. The old man acts as the host and gives the soldier some punch-that’s whiskey and warm water. The Mum puts on supper. The old man is jealous because he never had the guts to leave the area, so he is very interested in what the soldier was saying.
He then told them about some magic, a magic charm, which he had in his pocket. The old man was very interested, and wanted to hear everything, but the soldier was reluctant. The soldier threw the charm into the fire, but the old man got it back, it was a monkeys paw, a shrivelled old hairy thing. The soldier left, and the father eventually made one wish, He wasn’t sure what he should wish for, but finally agreed that he should wish for £200. The Mum and Son made fun of him, as they felt it was all stupid.
The following morning, they all had breakfast together, and the Son went off to work. Soon afterwards, a well-dressed stranger came to the house. He introduced himself as a representative of the Company, where their son worked. Instinctively the Mum knew her Son was hurt, but unfortunately the news was worse, a machine at work had mangled him. The Rep said the Company were not to blame, but they were giving the old couple £200, compensation. The old couple are in shock, although they have other children, this son is the only one at home, with them. This charm had brought such bad luck to this family. The old man felt he had killed his son.
After the funeral, the awful truth set in, the old man had killed his son, and they would never see him again. They missed him greatly, and the Mum found it hard to sleep. One night the Mum remembered about the Paw and insisted that her husband would make another wish that the son would come back. Although the husband knows his wife is not thinking straight, and he is terrified, he makes the wish. Then they heard knocking on the door. He is panic-stricken. He tries to cover up, and tell his wife it’s a rat, but she insists it is the Son. In the dark he finds the Paw again, and makes the third wish, that this is not in fact his son. Finally the knocking stops, the wife opens the door and there is no one there. The ending is a Cliff Hanger.
The magic charm, which appeared harmless had changed this family, had changed the atmosphere, and changed the family, although there was a great bond that was broken. There was a strong relationship between husband and wife, it was strained by the death of the son, and the wife’s mental state became poor. The old man blamed himself and was afraid and worried.
The language used was expressive and descriptive. It was written pre 1900, and difficult to understand. The language has changed greatly since the story was written.