Quite a few years ago, when my two children were about 5 years of age, the Gurkhas were stationed in Colchester. One afternoon, when I took then into a store for cake and a drink, the only table left was with three soldiers. We sat with them, with their agreement,but my son was fascinated by the khukris. I told him the knives couldn't be unsheathed without drawing blood, but son was insistent! I explained that they would just cut the tip of his finger, and my brave little soldier said this was OK. But - when the knife was shown, and I proffered his finger he was terrified! So I said that they would just nick a little bit of the back of my hand. This was fine - until he saw the first sign of a tiny little bit of blood. He instantly went into a dead faint. I was all for shoving him under the table and finishing our cake, but these so-kind and gentle (except in battle!) soldiers picked him up and gave him unlimited amounts of Coke to make the wretched child feel better. Of course, his sister also wanted Coke, which was supplied, but I am sure that those lovely Gurkha soldiers were very pleased when we finished our refreshments and left them to enjoy the rest of their break. We probably traumatised them for life ...