Couldn't agree more - if all you need is a static file server, SimpleHTTPServer does the job. I made Knod specifically because I could not find a built in HTTP server that allows writing and deleting.
Got the idea while working through the React tutorial some time ago. Thought a zero config server that responds to all of the HTTP verbs would make a nice tool for front end prototyping.
I extended Python SimpleHTTPServer as a data store server for some web games and also as a cross-site XML server for said games. Knod would fit that niche just fine.