I really have made that question many times and my answers always vary between money, women, power, power, alcohol, sex, virtues, a Death Note and "God." And the truth is, because I have never taken seriously. Recently I gave the answer "do not ask no desire" and I think that would really be. In a hypothetical case that such barbarity could happen and I would be forced to ask well as a desire, there are many factors that influence the demand. One of them could be my mood, health status of someone, or my own health, my needs at that precise time, or my preference at that time and so many other things. In the absence of any factors that lead me to ask something, do not ask anything and let the opportunity pass.
That is what 'The Monkey's Paw "(The Monkey's Paw). Work of English writer and satirist William Wymark Jacobs. The leg of a dead monkey, a rather strange talisman that grants wishes to whom possession. "The story is based on other traditional organizations that, in any way to ask desires, always met three. The first wish is made without care, is true, but in a disastrous way. "" The second wish is asked to try to correct the damage caused by the first and the third wish is made in desperation when the dark implications of the second wish become evident. "" In the end, only the first wish prevails, and the other two are wasted, canceling each other to prevent a greater horror. "" In another sense, this kind of story are similar to those of Faust, in there is no way to ask the wishes sufficiently accurate to avoid defeat to the devil asking desires. "
only have to say that you read the story, and if you get a chance, someday, and a dead animal allows you to grant you three wishes, you think that will be good if you are wanting to order something.
The Monkey's Paw
I
The night was cold and wet, but in the small hall of Laburnum Villa the blinds were closed and the fire was burning brightly. Father and son playing chess. The first was personal ideas about the game and put the king in such desperate and useless comment hazards that caused the old lady knitting placidly by the fire.
-Hear the wind, "said Mr. White, had committed a fatal error and your child was not warned.
-Lo I hear it said relentlessly moving the Queen. Jaque.
"I do not come tonight," said the father with his hand on the board.
-Mate, "replied the son.
"That's the trouble with living so far away," shouted Mr. White with unforeseen and sudden violence. Of all the suburbs, this is the worst. The road is a swamp. Not what people think. As there are only two rented houses do not care.
"Do not worry, dear," his wife said softly, you will win next time.
Mr. White looked up and caught a look of complicity between mother and child. The words died on his lips and pretended a gesture of annoyance.
"Here he comes," said Herbert White to hear the beat of the gate and approaching footsteps. His father rushed up with hospitality and opened the door heard him sympathize with the newcomer.
then entered. The stranger was a stocky man with bulging eyes and red face.
-Sergeant-Major Morris, "said Mr. White, presenting. The sergeant shook hands, accepted the chair offered him and noted with satisfaction that the homeowner brought whiskey and some glasses and put a small copper kettle on the fire.
the third glass, she flashed her eyes and began to speak. The family looked forward to this stranger who spoke wars, epidemics and foreign peoples.
"Twenty one years ago," said Mr. White smiled at his wife and son. When he was just a boy. Look at him now.
"It seems to have felt so bad," said Mrs. White politely.
"I like to go to India," said Mr. White. Just to give a look.
"Better stay here," said the sergeant shook his head. Put the glass down and, sighing slightly, shook her head.
"I would like to see the old temples and fakirs and jugglers," said Mr. White. What, Morris, what you started telling me the other day, a monkey leg or something?
"Nothing" said the soldier hastily. Nothing worth hearing.
- A monkey paw? Asked Mrs. White.
"Well, what we call magic, perhaps reluctantly, the military said. Its three partners
looked at him eagerly. Idly, the stranger took the empty glass to his lips, turned to leave. The homeowner filled it.
-At first glance, is a mummified leg that has nothing in particular, "the sergeant showing something from his pocket.
Mrs. decreased, with a grin. The child took the monkey paw and examined it carefully.
- What's the big deal? Asked Mr. White removed her son to her.
"An old fakir gave him magical powers," the sergeant major. A very holy man ... I wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives and nobody can oppose it with impunity. He gave this power: Three men can ask for three wishes.
spoke so seriously that the others felt their laughs out of tune.
"And you, why not ask the three things? Asked Herbert White.
The sergeant looked at him with grace.
"I've asked, he said, his tanned face paled.
- really three wishes fulfilled? Asked Mrs. White.
-were met, "said Sgt.
- And no one asked? 'Said the lady.
"Yes, a man. I do not know what were the first two things he asked, and the third was death. So I came into possession of the Monkey Paw.
spoke with such gravity that was silent.
-Morris, if you got your three wishes, no longer serves the talisman, "he said finally, Mr. White. Why keep it?
The sergeant shook his head
"Probably I had, once, the idea of \u200b\u200bselling it, but I think I will not. It has already caused many woes. Moreover, people do not want to buy. Some suspect it is a fairy tale, others want to try it first and pay me later.
"And if you are granted three wishes more," Mr. White ", do you ask?
I do not know, "replied the other. I do not know.
took the monkey leg, waved it between thumb and forefinger and burnt. White picked it up.
"Better to burn," he said solemnly, Sgt.
"If you do not want it, Morris, Give it to me.
replied "I do not strictly. I threw the fire, if you store it, I do not blame yourself for what might happen. Sea reasonable pull.
The other shook his head and examined his new acquisition. Asked
- How is it done?
"We must take it into the right hand and ask the wishes aloud. But I warn you should fear the consequences.
"It seems from the Thousand and One Nights," said Mrs. White. He got up to prepare the table. Do not you think that I could ask for another pair of hands?
Mr. White took out the talisman, the three laughed at the expression on the sergeant's warning.
"If it is determined to order something," he said grabbing the arm of White-ask something reasonable.
Mr. White saved in the pocket monkey's paw. Morris invited to sit at the table. During the meal the talisman was somewhat forgotten. Attracted, heard news accounts of the life of Sergeant in India.
"If the story of the monkey paw is as true as in the other," said Herbert when the stranger closed the door and left in a hurry to catch the last train, "we will achieve much.
- Did you give something? Asked the lady looking intently at her husband.
"A trifle," Mr. White, blushing slightly. I did not want to accept, but I forced him. He insisted that throw the talisman.
"Doubtless," said Herbert, in mock horror, we will be happy, rich and famous. To start you have to make an empire, and will not be dominated by your wife.
Mr. White took out the talisman and examined it with perplexity.
"I can not think of anything to ask," he said slowly. I think I have everything I want.
"If you will pay the mortgage on the house would be happy, is not it? Herbert said putting his hand on his shoulder. Suffice to ask two hundred pounds. The father smiled
ashamed of his own gullibility and picked up the talisman, Herbert put a solemn face, winked at his mother played the piano bass chords.
"I gave two hundred pounds," Mr. White.
A great roar of piano answered his words. Mr. White gave a cry. His wife and son ran toward him. He moved
said, looking with disgust the object, and dropped it. He writhed in my hand like a snake.
"But I do not see the money," said the child, picking up the talisman and putting it on the table. Bet you never see it.
-must have been your imagination, dear, "she said, looking anxiously.
shook his head.
"Never mind. It was nothing. But it gave me a scare.
They sat by the fire and the two men ended up smoking their pipes. The wind was stronger than ever. Mr. White was shocked when he hit a gate on the upper floors. A silence unusual and depressing wrapped them until they got up to go to bed.
"It strikes me that you will find the money in a big bag in the middle of the bed," said Herbert to say goodnight. A horrible occurrence, crouched on top of the wardrobe, stalk you when you are keeping your property unlawfully.
already own, Mr. White sat in the dark and watched the embers, and saw faces on them. The last monkey was so, so horrible, that looked with astonishment, she laughed, angry, and sought on the table a glass of water and throw it up and off the grill, inadvertently touched the monkey paw, he shuddered, wiped his hand on his coat and went to his room.
II The next morning, while having breakfast in the winter sunshine, laughed at their fears. The room had an atmosphere of health prosaic missing last night, and the monkey paw, wrinkled and dirty, lying on the dresser, did not seem terrible.
-All old soldiers are the same, "said Mrs. White. What idea, our own, listen to that nonsense! How can one believe in talismans at this time? And if you managed the two hundred pounds, what harm could make?
-top can fall and hurt your head, "said Herbert.
"According to Morris, things happened so naturally that seemed to match," said the father.
"Well, do not go to find the money before my return," said Herbert, rising from the table. Lest you become a greedy and have to repudiarte.
mother laughed, walked him to the outside and saw him walk down the road, back to the dinner table, laughed at the gullibility of her husband.
However, when the postman knocked on the door, ran to open it, and when she brought the bill only Tailor outlined in some military temper the intemperate habits.
"I think Herbert will be subject for his jokes," he said while sitting.
"Doubtless," said Mr. White. But despite everything, the leg was moved in my hand. I can swear.
-must have been in your imagination, "said the lady softly.
-affirm that moved. I was not influenced. It was ... What happens?
His wife did not answer. Watching the mysterious movements of a man who was around the house and decided not to enter. Noticed that the man was well dressed and had a shiny new hat, he thought of the two hundred pounds. Man stopped three times at the gate, he finally decided to call.
Hastily Mrs. White took off her apron and hid under the seat cushion.
He passed the stranger. He looked uncomfortable. He watched her furtively as she apologized for the mess that was in the room and the dust of her husband. The lady waited politely tell them the reason for the visit, the stranger was silent for a while.
"I come from Maw & Meggins" he said finally.
Mrs. White had a fright.
- What? What? Has something happened to Herbert?
Her husband interposed.
"Wait, dear. Do not get ahead of the curve. I guess you do not bring bad news, sir. And I looked
pathetically.
"Sorry ... "Began the other.
- Are you hurt? He asked, crazed, the mother.
The man nodded.
-Mal
hurt "he said slowly. But it suffers.
"Thank God," said Mrs. White, clasping her hands. Thank God. Suddenly
understood the sinister meaning that was in the security they gave and saw the confirmation of their fears in the face of the man significantly. I held my breath, looked at her husband later seemed to understand, and took her trembling hand. There was a long silence.
"I grabbed the machine whispered the visitor.
"I grabbed the machine," repeated Mr. White, stunned.
He sat staring out the window, took his wife's hand, squeezed it in hers, and in their times of love.
"It was the only one we had," said the visitor. It's tough.
The other got up and walked to the window.
"The company has asked me to express your condolences for this great loss," he said without turning around. Please understand that I am only an employee and obey the orders they gave me.
No response. The face of Mrs. White was livid.
He has commissioned me to declare that Maw & Meggins deny any responsibility in the accident, "continued the other. But in consideration of the services provided by your child, you refer a certain amount.
Mr. White let his wife's hand and stood up, looked in horror at the visitor. His dry lips uttered the word: how?
"Two hundred pounds," came the reply.
Without hearing the cry of his wife, Mr. White smiled slightly, arms extended like a blind man, and fell, fainted.
III
In the new cemetery, about two miles away, the husband and wife were buried their dead and returned home transfixed by shadow and silence.
all happened so quickly that at first almost did not understand and were expecting something else to relieve their pain. But the days passed and the expectation is transformed into resignation, that desperate resignation of the old, which some call apathy. Rarely spoke because they had nothing to say, his days were endless until exhaustion.
A week later, Mr. White, waking suddenly at night, she reached out and found himself alone.
The room was dark, he heard about the window, crying content. He sat up in bed to listen.
-back to bed, "she said tenderly. You'll catch cold.
"My son has more cold," said Mrs. White and came to mourn.
sobs faded into the ears of Mr. White. The bed was warm, and his eyes heavy with sleep. A terrified scream of his wife woke him up.
-Monkey Paw shouted wildly, "monkey's paw.
Mr. White joined alarmed.
- Where? Where? What happens? She
approached: "I love
. Have not you destroyed?
"It's in the room on the shelf," said astonished. Why do you want? Crying and laughing
bent to kiss him, and told him hysterically:
"Just now I thought ... Why have not thought of before? Why do not you think?
- Did you think what? He asked.
"In the other two wishes," answered immediately. We have only asked for one.
- Was not it enough?
"No," she cried triumphantly. We will ask another. Look for it soon and ask our son back to life.
Man sat on the bed, trembling.
"My God, you're crazy. -Look for it soon
and calls, "he stammered," my son, my son!
The man lit the candle.
-back to sleep. Do not know what you're saying.
"Our first wish was fulfilled. Why do not we ask the second?
"It was a coincidence. Look for it and
-desired women screamed with excitement.
The husband turned and looked:
-ten days ago is dead and besides, I tell you something, I recognized him by the suit. If by then it was too horrible for you to see ...
- Bring him! Cried the woman dragging it to the door. Do you think I fear the child I raised?
Mr. White fell in the darkness, came into the room and went to the shelf.
The talisman was in place. He was afraid that the desire has not yet made to bring his son to pieces before he could escape from the room. Lost
orientation. I could not find the door. He groped around the table and along the wall and soon found himself in the hallway, with the evil object in his hand.
When he entered the bedroom, to his wife's face seemed changed. Was anxious and white and there was something supernatural. I was afraid.
- Ask for it! He cried violently.
"It's absurd and perverse," he stammered.
"Ask the woman repeated.
The man raised his hand
"I wish my son alive again.
The talisman fell to the ground. Mr. White continued looking at him with terror. Then, trembling, sank into a chair while the woman came to the window and lifted the curtain. The man did not move from there, until it passed the cold morning. Sometimes he looked at his wife who was in the window. The candle had burned down, almost off. Projected on the walls and ceiling flickering shadows.
With an inexplicable relief at the failure of the talisman, the man went to bed a minute later, women, apathetic and silent, lay down beside him.
not speak, listening to the beat of the clock. Cracked a step. The darkness was oppressive, Mr. White gathered courage, he lit a match and come downstairs to get a candle.
At the foot of the stairs the match went. Mr. White stopped to light another, simultaneously sounded a stealth coup, almost imperceptible, on the door.
Matches fell. He stood motionless, not breathing, until he repeated the blow. He fled to his room and shut the door. There was a third strike.
- What is that? Cried the woman.
-A mouse, "said the man. A mouse. I crossed on the stairs.
The woman stood up. A loud knock resounded through the house.
- It's Herbert! It's Herbert! "Mrs. White ran to the door, but her husband caught up.
- What are you doing? Gasps, "he said.
- is my son is Herbert! Cried the woman, struggling to let go. I had forgotten that the cemetery is two miles. Let me go, I have to open the door.
"For the love of God, do not let it, "said the man, trembling.
- Are you afraid of your own child? He shouted. Let go. I'm coming, Herbert; I'm coming.
There were two more blows. The woman escaped and fled the room. The man followed her and called her, as she descended the stairs. He heard the noise of the bar below, heard the latch, and then the woman's voice, wistful:
"The lock," he said. I can not reach.
But her husband, kneeling, groped the floor, looking for the monkey leg.
"If I could find it before it enters ...
Blows again resonate throughout the house. Mr. White heard that his wife approached a chair, he heard the noise of the gate to open, in the same instant he found the monkey paw, and frantically, "stammered the third and final wish.
The blows stopped suddenly, although the echoes resounded still in the house. Remove the chair and heard the door open. A cold wind came down the stairs, and a long and desolate cry of his wife gave him courage to run towards it and then to the gate. The road was deserted and quiet. FIN
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