ic

classwith Readers Theater Play

a story appeal
ss
timele

Be careful what you wish for.

It might come true.

Based on
W. W. Jacobs’s
classic horror
story.

Adaptation
by Mack Lewis.
Illustrations
by Lisa K. Weber.

CHARACTERS
Circle the character you will play. *Mr. White
W. W. Jacobs: the author of *Mrs. White
“The Monkey’s Paw” Herbert: the Whites’ son
*Narrators 1, 2, 3, & 4 Messenger 1
(n1, n2, n3, & n4) Messenger 2
Sergeant Major Morris *Starred characters are major roles.

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to read this creepy play. 
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 good job at Maw & Meggens. three wishes.

AS YOU READ, Herbert: It’s tedious working the Herbert: What, like
THINK ABOUT: machinery, but my school term a rabbit’s foot?
begins soon enough. Mrs. White: What
This story deals with fate—a
Mrs. White: Yes, Herbert will be silliness!
force or power that controls what
off to college. Oh, I shudder to Herbert: Three
happens. The conflict between
think what it’ll be like without him! wishes? Well, if
humans and fate is a major theme
One less mouth to feed, I suppose. that’s true, why
of literature. Do we control our
Herbert: One less mouth to don’t you have three
own destinies—or does fate?
criticize your cooking! wishes, sir?
N4: Mrs. White playfully swats him. N4: Morris’s tone is
PROLOGUE Herbert: I’d like to visit India. very grave.
W. W. Jacobs: Some disregard the Morris: No, you wouldn’t. Morris: I have.
tale you are about to hear. A silly Nothing but war and plagues there. Mr. White: And you
ghost story, they call it—mere Herbert: Just imagine, all those actually had three
entertainment. But I warn you: Do bustling markets and beautiful old wishes granted?
not so lightly dismiss this story. temples. Morris: I did.
Rather, heed its warning! Meddle Mr. White: That’s right! What was Mrs. White: Has
with fate, and you will suffer the it you started telling me the other anyone else wished?
consequences. (pause) This tale day, Morris? Something about a Morris: The first
takes place in a small English monkey’s paw? man had his three
village in the year 1900. And like Mrs. White: Oh, do tell! wishes. I don’t know
most good horror stories, it begins N1: Morris stares into the fire, what the first two
on a dark and stormy night . . . momentarily lost in thought. were, but the third
Morris: No . . . no, it’s best we was for death. That’s
SCENE 1 leave that alone. how I got the paw.
N1: It’s a nightmarish evening, with Mrs. White: Come now. What N1: The room falls
howling winds and biting cold. harm can it do? silent as the Whites
N2: Inside by the fire, Mr. and Mrs. Morris: Very well. It’s just a bit of consider Morris’s
White and their son, Herbert, are magic, perhaps. eerie words.
entertaining an old friend. Herbert: Magic? This sounds fun! Mrs. White: How
N3: A burly man with a ruddy face, N2: Morris fumbles in his pocket. awful—to wish for
Sergeant Major Morris has just Morris: To look at it, it’s just an death.
returned from 20 years exploring ordinary little paw. Mr. White: If you’ve
the country of India. Mr. White: What’s special about it? already had your
Morris: It seems you’ve done well Morris: A fakir put a spell on it. three wishes, Morris,
for yourself, Mr. White. A good N3: Morris leans forward as if to why do you keep the
family, a nice home . . . confess a secret. monkey’s paw?
Mrs. White: Nearly paid for, too! Morris: He wanted to show that Morris: I had some idea of selling
We owe but 200 pounds. fate rules our lives, that those who it, but I don’t think I will. It has
Morris: And Herbert, what a interfere with it do so to their caused enough mischief already.
strapping boy you are. sorrow. He put a spell on it so that N2: Morris stares at the paw. Then,
Mrs. White: Our Herbert. He has a three men could each be granted suddenly, he throws it into the fire.

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 But I caution you: It’s a curse, not a
blessing.
Mrs. White: How about wishing
me four pairs of hands with which
to serve dinner?
N1: The Whites burst out laughing,
but Morris grabs Mr. White by the
arm.
Morris: If you must wish, at least
wish for something sensible.
Mr. White: Very well. You’ve
convinced me. Now let’s eat before
the food gets cold.

SCENE 2
N2: Later, having spent the evening
telling all kinds of wild stories,
Morris bids the Whites farewell and
disappears into the night.
Herbert: Father, I think your
friend is a good salesman. If the
story of the monkey’s paw is as far-
fetched as his other stories, I’m
afraid it will be of little use to us.
Mrs. White: Such nonsense!
Mr. White: Before he left, Morris
pressed me again to throw the paw
away. I must say, even if it really
was magic, I don’t know what I’d
wish for. I’ve got all I want.
Mrs. White: Well, if wishes could
be granted, I suppose wishing for
some extra money couldn’t hurt.
Herbert: I can hardly believe that
a smelly old monkey’s paw is going
to make us rich.
N3: Herbert thinks for a moment.
Morris: Better to let it burn. hands of it. If you keep it, don’t Herbert: Ah, but you would be
N3: Mr. White lunges forward and blame me for what happens. happier if the house were paid for,
snatches the paw from the flames. N4: But Mr. White is already wouldn’t you, Father? Go ahead,
Mr. White: Well, if you don’t want examining his new possession. wish for 200 pounds and see what
it, Morris, give it to me at least! Mr. White: How do you wish? comes of it.
Morris: No, sir, I won’t! I wash my Morris: Hold it up and wish aloud. N4: Mr. White holds up the 

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talisman, winks at his son, and in a Messenger 2: But at least he is not cemetery near their house. Their
melodramatic tone makes his wish. in any pain. grief is almost too intense to bear.
Mr. White: I wish for 200 pounds! N1: The messenger pauses, N1: A week later, in the middle of
N1: He cries out and drops the paw. allowing his meaning to sink in. the night, the sound of Mrs.
Mr. White: It moved! As I wished, it Messenger 1: I’m afraid your son White’s wild cry jars Mr. White
twisted in my hand like a snake! was caught in the machinery. awake.
Herbert: Don’t be ridiculous. N2: Mr. White stares blankly. Mrs. Mrs. White: The monkey’s paw!
Mrs. White: You must have White begins whimpering. The monkey’s paw! Do you still
imagined it, dear. Messenger 2: The firm wishes to have it?
Mr. White: There’s no harm done, convey its sympathy. Maw & Mr. White: Yes, on the mantel.
but it gave me quite a shock. Meggens admits no liability Why?
N2: Herbert picks up the paw and whatsoever, but in consideration Mrs. White: We’ve had only one
examines it, then shrugs. of your loss, they wish to present wish! Get it quickly, and wish our
Herbert: I expect you’ll wake to you with a certain sum as boy alive again!
find a big bag of cash in the middle compensation. Mr. White: You don’t know what
of your bed—and probably some N3: Mr. White looks up, aghast. you are saying.
little monkey ghost watching you Mr. White: How much? Mrs. White: We had the first wish
pocket your ill-gotten gains. Ha! Messenger 1: Here is 200 pounds. granted! Why not the second?
Mr. White: That was a coincidence.
SCENE 3 SCENE 4 Mrs. White: Go get it and wish!
N3: In the brightness of the next N4: The Whites bury Herbert in a Mr. White: He has been dead 10
day, Mr. and Mrs. White days and besides, when I
laugh at their identified the body, I could
superstitions. By dinner, recognize him only by his
they’ve nearly forgotten clothing.
the paw entirely. Mrs. White: I don’t care!
Mrs. White: Herbert Mr. White: If he was too
must be running late. disfigured to recognize
N4: There is a knock on then, how will he appear
the door. now?
Messenger 1: We’re here N2: Mrs. White growls at
from Maw & Meggens. him through gritted teeth.
Mrs. White: Has Mrs. White: Bring him
something happened to back!
Herbert? N3: As Mr. White goes to
Mr. White: There, there. the mantel, a horrible fear
Don’t jump to seizes him.
conclusions. Mrs. White: What are you
Messenger 2: We’re very waiting for? Wish!
sorry . . . Mr. White: It is foolish and
Mrs. White: Is he hurt? Is wicked.
my dear boy hurt? Mrs. White: Wish!
Messenger 1: Badly hurt. Mr. White: What if he does

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come back, and he is utterly
decayed and mangled?
Mrs. White: Wish! NOW!
N4: Mr. White raises his
hand and speaks meekly.
Mr. White: I wish my son
alive again.
N1: He trembles as the paw
twists in his hand.
N2: Mrs. White rushes to the
window and stares out into
the night.
N3: But no one appears.
N4: Relieved, Mr. White
returns to bed. His wife
eventually gives up too.
N1: They listen to the
ticking of the clock and the
howl of the wind.
N2: Suddenly, a loud knock
resounds through the
house.
Mrs. White: What’s that? Is N4: There is another knock. Then with the lock.
it Herbert? another. Mrs. White breaks free. N4: Mr. White seizes the paw.
N3: She rushes toward the noise, Mrs. White: The bolt. I can’t get it Mr. White: I wish . . . I wish . . . I
but her husband catches her arm. open! wish it would GO AWAY!
Mrs. White: It’s my boy! Let go. I N1: Mr. White gropes wildly for the N1: Mrs. White flings open the door.
must open the door! monkey’s paw. Mrs. White: Herbert . . . ?
Mr. White: For goodness sake, Mrs. White: I’m coming, Herbert. N2: A cold wind rushes in. There is a
don’t let it in! I’m coming! long wail of disappointment . . .
Mrs. White: You’re afraid of your N2: The knocking grows louder. N3: . . . as a lamppost reveals . . .
own son? Let me go! N3: Mrs. White fumbles frantically N4: . . . an empty street. •
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