Inspiration: Fiona Famous

Alex was a very popular boy at school. He was clever and fun and got on well with everyone. It was no accident that Alex was so popular. From an early age, he had made an effort to be kind and friendly to everyone. He invited the whole class to his birthday party, and from time to time he would give presents to everybody. He was such a busy guy, with so many friends, that he hardly got a chance to spend time with individual friends. However, he felt very lucky; no other guy had so many friends at school and in the neighborhood. 

But everything changed on National Friendship Day. On that day, at school, everyone was having a great time, drawing, painting, and giving gifts. That day in class everyone had to make three presents to give to their three best friends. Alex enjoyed the task of choosing three from amongst all the dozens of his friends.

However, when all the presents had been made and shared out among classmates, Alex was the only one who had not received a present! He felt terrible and spent hours crying. How could it be possible? So much effort to make so many friends, and in the end, no one saw him as their best friend? Everyone came and tried to console her for a while. But each one only stayed for a short time before leaving.

This was exactly what Alex had done so many times to others.

He realized that he was a good companion and acquaintance, but he had not been a true friend to anyone. He had tried not to argue with anyone, he had tried to pay attention to everyone, but now he had found out that that was not enough to create true friendship.

When he got home that night, he created quite a puddle with her tears, and Alex asked Grandpa where he could find true friends.

“Alex, my boy,” answered Grandpa, “you cannot buy friends with a smile or a few good words. If you really want true friends, you will have to give them real-time and affection. For a true friend, you must always be available, in good times and bad”.

“But I want to be everybody’s friend! I need to share my time with everyone!”Alex protested.

“My boy, you’re a great guy,” said Grandpa, “but you can’t be a close friend to everybody. There just isn’t enough time to be available for everyone, so it’s only possible to have a few true friends. The others will be playmates or acquaintances, but they won’t be close friends”.

Hearing this, Alex decided to change his ways so that he could finally have some true friends. That night, in bed, he thought about what he could do to get them.

He thought about his grandpa. He realized how much help he is. Grandpa will always be there for Alex’s dislikes and problems and will always be able to forgive him. 

Alex realized that was what makes friends!

And Alex smiled from ear to ear, realizing that he already had the best friend anyone could ever want… Grandpa.