*Stage Directors 1, 2, 3, 4
(SD1, SD2, SD3, SD4)
*Mr. White
Sergeant Major Morris, an old friend of Mr. White
Characters
Choose the character you will play.
*Starred characters have large speaking parts.
Back to Teacher View
Student View
Art by Gary Hanna
The Monkey’s Paw
You have three wishes. What could possibly go wrong?
By Jennifer Dignan | Based on the classic story by W.W. Jacobs
From the October 2026 Issue
Learning Objective: Students will write a new final scene for a play by crafting a monologue in which a character reflects on the events and clearly communicates the play’s central theme.
Scene 1
An October evening in 1901, the English countryside
SD1: The sounds of howling wind and pelting rain rise from the darkness, punctuated by deafening claps of thunder.
SD2: After a minute, the sounds of the storm fade.
SD3: The stage lights come up to reveal the cozy living room of a stone cottage where Mr. and Mrs. White; their son, Herbert; and Sergeant Major Morris are gathered before a crackling fire.
Mr. White: Twenty-one years it’s been since you left, Morris! You were a young man then.
Morris: Indeed—just about Herbert’s age, I suppose.
Mrs. White: I couldn’t bear the thought of Herbert packing off to distant lands.
Morris: How have you been keeping busy, Herbert?
Herbert: I’ve got a job at Maw and Meggins. It’s a bit tedious working the machinery, but my boss has been hinting that I’ll soon be promoted.
SD4: Mrs. White places a hand on her son’s knee.
Mrs. White: We’re very proud of our boy.
Herbert: Father says you’ve been in India, Sergeant Major.
Morris (vaguely) : Hmmmm.
Mr. White: I’d rather like to visit India myself.
Morris: Trust me, you would not. Nothing but war and plagues there.
Mr. White: But what about the lively markets and enchanting old temples?
Morris: Nevertheless . . .
Mr. White: What was it you started telling me the other day, Morris? Something about a monkey’s paw?
Morris (quickly): Nothing. At least, nothing worth hearing.
Mrs. White: What’s all this? A monkey’s paw?
SD1: Morris stares into the fire for a long moment.
Morris: No . . . no, it’s best we leave that alone.
Herbert: But now we’re intrigued, Sergeant Major.
Mrs. White: Do tell!
SD2: Morris looks at the Whites’ curious faces. A muscle in his jaw twitches.
Morris: Well, all right. It’s just a bit of what you might call magic, perhaps.
SD3: Morris fumbles in his pocket and pulls out a shriveled monkey’s paw.
Mrs. White (recoiling): Oof !
Morris: To look at it, it’s just an ordinary little paw.
Mr. White: What’s special about it?
Morris: A holy man put a spell on it.
SD4: Morris leans forward as if to confess a secret.
Morris: He wanted to show that fate rules our lives and that those who interfere with fate do so to their sorrow. He put a spell on the paw so that three men could each be granted three wishes.
Herbert: Well then, why don’t you have three wishes, sir?
SD1: Morris slowly sets the paw on the small table before him.
Morris (gravely): I did.
Mrs. White: And were they granted?
Morris: They were.
Mr. White: Has anyone else wished?
Morris: The first man made his three wishes. I don’t know what the first two were, but the third wish was for death. That is how I got the paw.
SD2: The room falls silent. All eyes rest on the monkey’s paw.
Mrs. White: How awful—to wish for death.
Mr. White: If you’ve already had your three wishes, Morris, why do you keep the monkey’s paw?
Morris: To be honest, I’m not sure. I had some idea of selling it, but I don’t think I will.
SD3: Morris picks up the paw and studies it.
Morris: It has caused enough mischief already.
SD4: Suddenly, Morris tosses the paw into the fire.
Morris: Better to let it burn.
SD1: Mr. White lunges forward and snatches the paw from the flames.
Mr. White: If you don’t want it, Morris, give it to me!
Morris: No, sir, I won’t ! I wash my hands of it.
SD2: But Mr. White is already examining his new possession.
Morris: If you keep it, don’t blame me for what happens.
Mr. White: How do you make a wish?
Morris: Hold it up in your right hand and state your wish out loud. But I caution you: It’s a curse, not a blessing.
SD3: Mrs. White moves toward the kitchen.
Mrs. White: How about wishing me four pairs of hands with which to serve dinner?
SD4: The Whites burst into laughter, but Morris grabs Mr. White by the arm.
Morris: If you must make a wish, at least wish for something sensible.
Mr. White: Very well. You’ve convinced me. Now let’s eat before the food gets cold.
SD1: The lights fade as the group makes their way to the dinner table.
Shutterstock.com
THE GENRE
This play is adapted from a short story by W.W. Jacobs that was first published in England in 1902 and is still widely read today. It includes many classic elements of the horror genre that create suspense—startling noises, a storm, and supernatural events. What else makes this story suspenseful?
Scene 2
Later that night
SD2: Morris is leaving the Whites’ house.
Morris: Wonderful to meet you, Mrs. White. Best of luck, Herbert. White, old man, pleasure to see you again.
SD3: Morris leaves. Herbert closes the door and turns to his parents.
Herbert: Father, your friend is quite the storyteller. If his story about the monkey’s paw is not more truthful than the rest of what he’s told us tonight, I’m afraid the paw will be of little use.
Mr. White: That may be. Though before he left, he pressed me again to throw the thing away.
Mrs. White: Such nonsense !
Mr. White: I’m sure you are right—but I might as well make a wish, don’t you think? Although I don’t know what to wish for. I’ve got everything I want.
Herbert: Ah, but you would be happier if the house were paid off, wouldn’t you, Father? Go ahead, wish for 200 pounds and see what comes of it.
SD4: Herbert catches his mother’s eye and winks. Mrs. White rolls her eyes, shaking her head.
SD1: With his right hand, Mr. White holds the monkey’s paw high.
Mr. White: I wish for 200 pounds!
SD2: He cries out, dropping the paw.
Mr. White: Aah! It moved! As I made my wish, it twisted in my hand like a snake!
Mrs. White: You must have imagined it, dear.
Herbert: I don’t see any money.
Mr. White: Never mind, then. There’s no harm done. But it gave me quite a shock.
SD3: Herbert picks up the paw and examines it. Then he shrugs and places it on the mantel.
Herbert: Well, good night. I expect you’ll wake to find a big bag of cash in your bed—and some horrible monkey ghost watching you pocket your ill-gotten gains. Ha!
Scene 3
The next evening
SD4: Mr. and Mrs. White are having dinner.
Mr. White (smiling ): I expect Herbert will tease his foolish father some more about the monkey’s paw when he gets home from work.
Mrs. White: You must admit he has the right.
SD1: She glances at the grandfather clock in the corner.
Mrs. White: I wonder what’s keeping him.
SD2: There is a knock at the door.
SD3: Mrs. White answers it. She shows two messengers into the room. They seem uncomfortable, shifting from side to side and fidgeting.
Messenger 1: We were sent by Maw and Meggins.
Mrs. White: Has something happened?
Mr. White: Now, now. Don’t jump to conclusions.
Messenger 2: We are very sorry . . .
Mrs. White: Is Herbert hurt? Is my boy hurt?
Messenger 1: Badly hurt.
Messenger 2: But he is not in pain anymore.
Mrs. White: Well, thank goodness for that!
SD4: The messenger pauses, allowing his meaning to sink in. A horrified look crosses Mrs. White’s face.
Mrs. White: NO!
Messenger 1: At least he went quickly.
SD1: Mr. White stares blankly. Mrs. White begins to whimper.
Messenger 2: The firm wishes to convey its sympathy. Maw and Meggins admit no liability, but they wish to present you with compensation for your loss.
SD2: Mr. White gasps.
Mr. White: How much?
Messenger 1: Two hundred pounds.
Shutterstock.com
THE TIME PERIOD
When this story was published, India was under the rule of England. To people in England, India was a fascinating, faraway land. Travelers like Morris came home telling wild, fanciful stories of what they’d seen. These stories were often more entertaining than accurate, and many contained harmful stereotypes of Indian people.
Scene 4
A week later, in the middle of the night
Art by Gary Hanna
THE THEME
The theme “be careful what you wish for” is a popular one in literature. Characters learn the hard way that having a wish come true is not a blessing but a curse—and that it’s better to be content with what you already have. How is the monkey’s paw a curse?
SD3: In a small downstage area off to the side is Mr. and Mrs. White’s tidy bedroom. Moonlight streams in through a window.
SD4: Mr. White is asleep in bed. Mrs. White sits in a chair by the window, staring out at the night.
SD1: A clock ticks on the dresser.
SD2: Suddenly, Mrs. White turns to her husband.
Mrs. White (crying out): THE PAW! THE PAW! THE MONKEY’S PAW !
SD3: Mr. White bolts up in bed. His eyes dart wildly around the room.
Mr. White: What? Where? What’s wrong?
Mrs. White: The monkey’s paw ! Do you still have it? Tell me you do!
Mr. White: It’s on the mantel. Why?
Mrs. White: I’ve just realized: We’ve only had one wish. Quick! Go get the monkey’s paw and wish our boy alive again.
Mr. White (horrified ): You do not know what you are saying.
Mrs. White: We had the first wish granted. Why not the second?
Mr. White: That was . . . a coincidence.
Mrs. White: Go get it!
Mr. White: He has been dead seven days.
Mrs. White: I don’t care !
Mr. White: How will he appear now?
SD4: Mrs. White growls at him through gritted teeth.
Mrs. White: Bring . . . him . . . back!
SD1: With a pained expression, Mr. White leaves the room. Mrs. White paces anxiously.
SD2: Moments later, Mr. White returns with the paw.
Mrs. White: What are you waiting for?
Mr. White: It is foolish and wicked.
Mrs. White: Wish!
Mr. White: What if he does come back but he still looks . . . dead?
Mrs. White: WISH!
SD3: Mr. White’s hand shakes as he raises the paw.
Mr. White (quietly ): I wish my son alive.
SD4: He cringes and flings the paw to the floor.
SD1: Mrs. White rushes to the window and stares out.
SD2: Minutes pass. Nothing happens. Mr. White sighs.
Mr. White: I am going back to bed.
SD3: Mrs. White looks out the window for a moment longer and then, without a word, goes to bed too.
SD4: The clock continues to tick. Then there is a quiet knock from offstage.
Mrs. White: What was that?
Mr. White: It was—a rat. I saw one earlier. In the hallway.
SD1: There is another knock, louder this time. Mrs. White sits up.
Mrs. White: Herbert !
SD2: Mrs. White moves toward the bedroom door. Mr. White grabs her arm.
Mrs. White: Let go! It’s my boy!
Mr. White: No! For goodness’ sake, dear, don’t let it in !
Mrs. White: Are you really afraid of your own son? Let me go!
SD3: There is another knock, even louder.
SD4: Then another, louder still.
SD1: Mrs. White runs out the bedroom door.
Mrs. White: I’m coming, Herbert! I’m coming!
SD2: The lights come up on the opposite side of the stage to show the Whites’ living room as Mrs. White rushes to the front door.
SD3: The loud knocking continues as Mrs. White tries to open the lock. She calls over her shoulder.
Mrs. White: The bolt is stuck! I can’t open the door!
SD4: As Mrs. White wrestles with the bolt, Mr. White, in the bedroom, crawls on his hands and knees, groping for the monkey’s paw.
Mrs. White: Hold on, Herbert. Hold on!
SD1: The knocking grows to a violent pounding.
SD2: Mr. White seizes the paw and thrusts it into the air.
Mr. White: I wish it would GO AWAY !
SD3: The knocking stops abruptly.
SD4: Just then, Mrs. White manages to slide the bolt.
SD1: She flings open the door, but . . .
SD2: No one is there.
Mrs. White: No ! No ! No !
SD3: Mr. White rushes to her side and stands at the open door.
SD4: Together they look out at the empty street.
Writing Prompt
Write a monologue that serves as a new final scene for the play. In this monologue, a character of your choice should reflect on recent events and warn the audience about the dangerous behavior the play implies should be avoided.
This article was originally published in the October 2026 issue.
video
(1)
Activities
(4)
Skills Activities
Quizzes
(1)
Answer Key
(1)
video
(1)
Activities
(4)
Skills Activities
Quizzes
(1)
Answer Key
(1)
Text-to-Speech