Staring at the board, I still couldn’t understand what the right tactic was.

Raising my hand, I asked, “Teacher? Could you maybe demonstrate the lesson?”

She smiled at me and picked up a knife, plucking an unsuspecting rat from the cadge at the front of the class.

“Certainly, Monica.”

The knife plunged just under the 4th rib of the rat, causing him to let out a squeak, and freeze in his tracks.

“Incapacitate with one jab, understand?”

I nodded as she strolled over and placed the knife on my desk, nudging me toward it with her gaze.

Picking it up, I stood and followed her orders. She explained to the class as I worked, killing the rat with one jab.

“See class, real-life practice will help you solidify what you’ve learned in Knifework 101 today!”