- Joined
- Oct 20, 2000
- Messages
- 4,453
When I was born my grandpa (mother's dad) had already passed away. Several years ago, my auntie, on discovering that I have a penchant for knives, asked me if I wanted a penknife which belonged to my grandpa.
Apparently, it was stashed away among some old belongings that everybody had forgotten about.
Of course, I was more than delighted to receive such a rare and old gift. It turned out that my grandpa was a hunter of sorts.
During his off-days, he and his close friends would go hunting in the jungle. They would hunt monkeys, wild boar, squirrel and other edible creatures. My mother's family were no strangers to all kinds of exotic meat on the dinner table.
According to my mum (she too is no longer around), meat from the jungle create a strong physical constitution.
Anyway, the penknife which I received turned out to be well-worn. It had obviously seen better days.
Holding it and feeling the scattered rust spots along the blade and the various unidentified scratches along the handle, I couldn't help wondering how many miles of adventure the knife has travelled.
If only the knife could talk. Even though, the knife is no longer in pristine condition, I did what I could to salvage it from the mechanical graveyard. Afterall, it does hold special memories.
I didn't have the opportunity to know my grandpa in any way like all other normal kids. I guess the knife was, in a small way, of getting to know him.
All I know is grandpa must have been quite a man. Alas, destiny deemed that our paths did not cross. Even as I look at the knife sometimes I can't help wondering what stories he could have told me, if he were alive.
The knife, by itself, is not worth much but the story behind the knife is priceless.
I am sure there must be wonderful stories waiting to be told about other knives, too. Perhaps, a knife that had helped save a family, or maybe even a knife that brought a family together.
Somewhere out there yonder, may be a story waiting to be told of how a knife that sealed a friendship for life, a broken heart healed, or a life's course altered for the better.
What's your story?
------------------
Make Love your strongest weapon. Compassion your shield and forgiveness your armour.
Apparently, it was stashed away among some old belongings that everybody had forgotten about.
Of course, I was more than delighted to receive such a rare and old gift. It turned out that my grandpa was a hunter of sorts.
During his off-days, he and his close friends would go hunting in the jungle. They would hunt monkeys, wild boar, squirrel and other edible creatures. My mother's family were no strangers to all kinds of exotic meat on the dinner table.
According to my mum (she too is no longer around), meat from the jungle create a strong physical constitution.
Anyway, the penknife which I received turned out to be well-worn. It had obviously seen better days.
Holding it and feeling the scattered rust spots along the blade and the various unidentified scratches along the handle, I couldn't help wondering how many miles of adventure the knife has travelled.
If only the knife could talk. Even though, the knife is no longer in pristine condition, I did what I could to salvage it from the mechanical graveyard. Afterall, it does hold special memories.
I didn't have the opportunity to know my grandpa in any way like all other normal kids. I guess the knife was, in a small way, of getting to know him.
All I know is grandpa must have been quite a man. Alas, destiny deemed that our paths did not cross. Even as I look at the knife sometimes I can't help wondering what stories he could have told me, if he were alive.
The knife, by itself, is not worth much but the story behind the knife is priceless.
I am sure there must be wonderful stories waiting to be told about other knives, too. Perhaps, a knife that had helped save a family, or maybe even a knife that brought a family together.
Somewhere out there yonder, may be a story waiting to be told of how a knife that sealed a friendship for life, a broken heart healed, or a life's course altered for the better.
What's your story?
------------------
Make Love your strongest weapon. Compassion your shield and forgiveness your armour.
