True friends are always caring, loving, loyal, passionate, mildly critical and most importantly, trustworthy to their friends. Friendship is a relationship where friends listen to each other's problems and try to understand. These qualities make a friend a good friend. The person who cheats you talks behind your back and laughs at you can never be your true friend.
Friendship is never tied to the financial status of people. A king can be a true friend of a poor beggar, and a poor labourer can be a good friend of a rich industrialist. Lord Krishna was in an unconditionally true endearing friendship with poor Sudama. The friendship between Krishna and Sudama is a milestone for all of us. They were like soul mates. Their friendship was at a level where if someone hurts another one feels pain.
Friendship is good for your school-age child's self-esteem. Friendship helps children develop important life skills, like getting along with other people and sorting out conflicts and problems. Children with these skills are less likely to have social and emotional difficulties later in life.
Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends prevent loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friends can also increase your sense of belonging and purpose.
Punita Chouhan
The Fabindia School
pch@fabindiaschools.in