The Orphanage Chapter 28- a story told in drabbles

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

link to chapter 27: http://section7mfu.livejournal.com/49492.html
_____________________________________________________

Many Russians considered giving sharp objects as gifts to be taboo. Natasha was not thinking of that when she gave the knife to Illya.

He was not superstitious but if he were, it was too late to give coin; the supposed taboo could have been avoided by giving money, making it a trade instead of a gift.  This symbolic gesture could circumvent  disaster if he believed in such an anathema.

The knife proved to be a boon and not a curse after Illya used it to defend himself against Lyov. It would be treasured, along with his memories of Natasha.

Comments

[svetlanacat4.livejournal.com]

Same in France! If you get knife, scissors as a gift, you have to give a coin. In my area, you've to give a pierced coin (don't ask... all hat I remember is my grand pa piercing a coin for me because my aunt had given me a nice sewing kit... with scissors...

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Amazing how these beliefs are shared! I'll have to look into the one about sharp objects here in the US. The only thing I remember being taught as a child was to hand things to a person while holding the sharp end, never pointing it at the other person. Whether that was just a safety thing or a superstition, I don't know.

Will have to look into the piercing of the coin. That's very interesting!

[reapermum.livejournal.com]

I was taught passing pointy things blunt end first (it covers knitting needles and screw drivers as well) as a safety precaution.

While you're looking at superstitions did you know that having your ears pierced protects your eyesight. I don't have pierced ears and have worn glasses since my teens so it must be true. :~P

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Well I have double pierced ears and am near and farsighted, so guess that superstition is questionable. Hmmm wonder where that came one came from, equating eyesight with ear piercing.

I just remembered I have a book about superstitions called "Knock on Wood." will have to peruse that for some other tidbits.

[svetlanacat4.livejournal.com]

It seems to be the old 5 centimes coin which disappeared in 1940 in France. It was called "sou" and the 5 centimes (sous) coin was pierced. I think it meant that the "money" given for the gift was quite token...