The Small Knife

For three years Mara has kept a cheap paring knife wrapped in a dish towel at the back of the drawer. On a wet Saturday in October she finally takes it out.

Big Kitchen

For three years, Mara kept the little paring knife in the back of the kitchen drawer.

It lay beneath the wooden spoons and measuring cups, wrapped in a faded dish towel printed with blue lemons. The handle was black plastic, scratched near the rivets. A pale stain ran along one side of the blade where someone had once left it wet beside the sink.

There was nothing valuable about it. It had come from a supermarket set that cost less than a dinner for two.

Still, Mara could not bring herself to throw it away.

Whenever she opened the drawer, she saw only a corner of the towel. That was enough. She would reach around it for the corkscrew or the vegetable peeler, careful not to disturb what she had hidden.

Some objects do not hold memories gently. Some wait in silence.

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Quick answers about The Small Knife

What is The Small Knife about?

For three years Mara has kept a cheap paring knife wrapped in a dish towel at the back of the drawer. On a wet Saturday in October she finally takes it out.

Is The Small Knife free to read?

Yes. Every story on RapidTale is free to read in the browser, with no sign-up and nothing to install.

How long does it take to read?

This story runs 1 chapter — most readers finish in one sitting, and you can stop and return to any chapter using the contents list.

Who wrote it?

Nimra Khan — original fiction published on RapidTale.