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The Monkey’s Paw, a short story by W W
Jacobs, revolves around a talisman. An Indian fakir created the talisman which
is a mummified monkey’s paw. Three persons can have three wishes each fulfilled
with the help of the paw. But there’s a catch: the consequences of getting your
wish thus fulfilled – by meddling with nature through the supernatural – can be
formidable.
When the paw reaches Mr White, two
persons have had their wishes already fulfilled. The first one killed himself with
the third wish. The second one, who speaks about its ominous possibilities,
throws the paw into fire saying that he did not want one more person to suffer
because of it. Mr White retrieves it from the fire.
Mr White makes a simple wish. Just
200 pounds which will repay all his debts. His wish was as simple as that. Yet
he paid too heavy a price for the fulfilment of that wish. Next day, 200 pounds
came to his house as insurance-compensation for the tragic death of his son in an
accident in the factory where he worked.
Mrs White is heart-broken by the
untimely death of her young son. A week after the funeral, still unable to
overcome her grief, Mrs White asks her husband to make his second wish with the
paw: to bring back Herbert, their dead son. Reluctantly, Mr White makes the
wish. He is very disturbed by the thought of his son’s mutilated and
decomposing body.
Late in the night, there is a knock
on their door. A gentle knock at first which then becomes louder and harsher.
Old Mr Herbert is utterly scared. He won’t open the door. Mrs Herbert goes to
open the door but she can’t reach the top lock. She asks for help. Instead of
helping her, Mr Herbert picks up the talisman and makes his final wish. The
knocking stops suddenly. Mrs White, in the meanwhile, has brought a chair and
opened the top lock. There’s no one out there. They both rush to the gate. “The
streetlight opposite shone on a quiet and deserted road.”
Miracles do happen in our lives. But
they shouldn’t be made to happen by playing with the supernatural. Miracles should
be inner transformations. Your attitudes change. Your perspectives change. You
see a new reality. You live a new reality. That is the real miracle.
Talismans don’t work miracles, in
fact. They can help to transmute your attitudes. That transmutation is the
miracle. For example, a person may carry a figurine with him all the time
believing in its miraculous powers. His faith will have certain positive
impacts on his life. Those positive impacts are not brought by the figurine,
however. They are brought by the person’s faith and the positive attitudes
brought by that faith.
Keep a talisman if you wish. There is nothing wrong in wearing on your wrist that sacred thread brought from the temple, or the medallion from the church, or carrying a relic on you, so long as you don’t really expect them to work magic for you. They are only meant to keep your attitudes and emotions under check. That check is the real miracle. The inner transformation brought about by that check is the ultimate miracle.
PS. This post is part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023
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Absolutely, inner transformation is the real achievement
ReplyDeleteA lot of people are yet to realise that!
DeleteAn interesting piece indeed!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI believe its the palcebo effect that works in cases like this. Ultimately whatever the name, its the power of belief working true magic!
ReplyDeletePacebo, yes. But placebos are required.
DeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteNever underestimate the psychological, eh? An exellent example, once more, to illustrate the point. YAM xx
The psyche can play it either way!
DeleteKeeps the faith and hope alive
ReplyDeleteWith charity added, it would be the ideal world.
DeleteThe Monkey's Paw has always been a favourite play of mine, ever since we saw it being performed at college. I agree that talismans should be kept to keep one's emotions under control. Anything beyond that can lead to heartbreak!
ReplyDeleteThe play is very effective with all the supernatural elements in it.
DeleteI heard of this. Although I have never read it.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe.
I still can't fathom the death of his young son for 200 pounds! We need to believe in our capabilities, and not just some supernatural charm!
ReplyDeletewww.docdivatraveller.com
True!
ReplyDelete👍
DeleteI haven't read the book but your synopsis makes me want to read it . What a deep insight into human desires.
ReplyDeleteIt's a short story, also adapted into a short play. I've given the link in the post.
DeleteFaith can move mountains
ReplyDeleteMonkey's Paw brings back memories of school, where I first read it and also saw it on stage. Your reasoning, regarding Talisman and transmutation is something I had never thought of before. Most of the time people have too much faith on talismans and not enough on themselves.
ReplyDelete