Mr. White was the third and final owner of the talisman in W. W. Jacobs' short story "The Monkey's Paw." He plucked it from the fireplace when the previous owner, Sergeant Major Morris, tossed it there to burn and end the chain of misfortune that came with it. He is motivated mostly by curiosity, since he seems happy with his life and is financially secure.
Mr. White took the paw from his pocket and eyed it dubiously. "I don't know what to wish for, and that's a fact," he said slowly. "It seems to me I've got all I want."
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