<P> "The Monkey's Paw" is a supernatural short story by author W.W. Jacobs first published in England in 1902 . </P> <P> In the story, three wishes are granted to the owner of the monkey's hand, but the wishes come with an enormous price for interfering with fate . </P> <P> The short story involves Mr. and Mrs. White and their adult son, Herbert . Sergeant - Major Morris, a friend who served with the British Army in India, introduces them to a mummified monkey's paw . An old fakir placed a spell on the paw, that it would grant three wishes . The wishes are granted but always with hellish consequences as punishment for tampering with fate . Morris, having had a horrific experience using the paw, throws the monkey's paw into the fire but Mr. White retrieves it . Before leaving, Morris warns Mr. White that if he does use the paw, then it will be on his own head . </P> <P> At Herbert's suggestion, Mr. White flippantly wishes for £ 200, which will enable him to make the final mortgage payment for his house, even though he believes he has everything he wants . The next day his son Herbert leaves for work at a local factory . Later that day, word comes to the White home that Herbert has been killed in a terrible machinery accident . Although the employer denies responsibility for the incident, the firm has decided to make a goodwill payment to the family of the deceased . The payment, of £ 200, exactly matches the amount Herbert suggested his father should wish for . </P>

Where does the monkey's paw come from