That evening, you did not act like a good friend
Manas Ranjan Satpathy
Senior Vice President|Ex-Chief of HR|INDIA|Author of weekly newsletter“To-My-Son-Ethan”|Successful because of learnings from failures|Financial Services
Dear Son,
The other day, after school, you were eager to visit your friend Aradhya’s house. Since Aradhya lives right next door and the two of you play together often, it seemed like a normal request. When we got there, though, we realized that Aradhya had an exam the next day and needed to study. We agreed you could play for a short while, and after fifteen minutes, Mumma would call you to come home so Aradhya could focus on her studies.
However, when Mumma called, you didn’t want to leave and started crying. You wanted to keep playing, but Mumma was right to remind you that Aradhya needed to prepare for her exam. It’s important to understand that preparation is key for doing well in any test, whether it's a school exam or something bigger in life. While you were disappointed at the time, we knew it was important to let Aradhya study, and eventually, you did come home.
Later, during dinner, as we always do, we talked about our day. By then, you had understood why it was necessary to leave when Mumma asked.
Son, we all value having good friends in our lives, and it's just as important to be a good friend to others. We've talked about this before, but it’s always worth repeating. A true friend lifts you up and supports you when you need it most. That evening, being a good friend would have meant wishing Aradhya well on her exam and leaving on time so she could study. Just as you would want your friends to support you when you have exams or important moments, it's important to do the same for them.
领英推荐
Good friends are like treasures—they make life richer. But it’s not just about finding good friends; it’s about being one. A good friend encourages others to grow, feel better, and learn something new. A good friend has goals and stays focused on them, and helps others do the same. So remember, being a good friend means helping others be the best they can be—and when you do that, others will do the same for you.
One day, you’ll read this, and by then, you’ll have made many friends. I hope this story helps guide you in deciding who can truly be a good friend, based on the right principles.
With Love,
Papa