The first part , `` The Monkey 's Paw '' , is a direct reference to W.W. Jacobs 's short story The Monkey 's Paw , in which the Simpsons 's wishes all backfire on them after buying a cursed hand of a monkey . In the first segment , which was inspired by W.W. Jacobs 's short story The Monkey 's Paw and The New Twilight Zone episode `` A Small Talent for War '' , Homer buys a Monkey 's Paw that has the power to grant wishes , although all of the wishes backfire .