What happens at the climax of the story “The Monkey’s Paw”? Mrs. White believes her dead son is knocking at the door and goes downstairs to open the door. After Mr. White makes his third wish, he hears his wife wail, rushes downstairs, and runs outside. The White’s guest throws the monkey’s paw into the fire; Mr. White cries out and snatches it from the flames. A stranger knocks on the door, enters the room, and offers the Whites two hundred pounds.