Read this excerpt from "the monkey's paw" by w. w. jacobs. which two lines reflect the theme that men must never go against fate? he took something out of his pocket and proffered it. mrs. white drew back with a grimace, but her son, taking it, examined it curiously. "and what is there special about it? " inquired mr. white as he took it from his son, and having examined it, placed it upon the table. "it had a spell put on it by an old fakir," said the sargeant-major, "a very holy man. he wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow. he put a spell on it so that three separate men could each have three wishes from it." "and did you really have the three wishes granted? " asked mrs. white. "i did," said the seargent-major, and his glass tapped against his strong teeth. "and has anybody else wished? " persisted the old lady. "the first man had his three wishes. yes," was the reply, "i don't know what the first two were, but the third was for death. that's how i got the paw." his tones were so grave that a hush fell upon the group.