A baby elephant had no playmate. He approached
all the animals in the forest including the birds and fishes, but none of them
was willing to accept him as a friend. The birds told him that he was very heavy
and could not fly and so could not join them in their games in the air. The
fishes argued that he could not swim with them to the depths of the lake and so
they were helpless.
Land animals told him that due to his large size he may step on them
while playing and crush them to death by accident and so they were afraid to
play with him. He remained helpless and hopeless, cursing the disgusting
bitterness of solitude.
One day a wild fire broke out in the forest. The dry bushes caught fire
and the fire was sure to spread all around the forest. The animals fled to
safer places. The baby elephant rose to the occasion and ran to the nearest stream.
He collected water in his trunk and rushed to the burning bushes. He sprayed
the water on the fire with force to extinguish the flames. He ran to the stream
and returned with water at top speed several times. As the fire was not
widespread, he could control the fire and extinguish it completely by his
repeated and rapid action.
While he was resting after the
strenuous exercise, all the animals and birds came to him and expressed their
thanks for his bold and timely service, most sincerely. They told him that he
was a friend in need and so was a friend indeed. They were now ready to include
him in their company as their best friend and their mighty saviour. He promised
to take utmost care to see that no harm is caused to them by his movement or
involvement in their games. He was extremely happy to get the affectionate
company of several friends. He marched through the forest, carrying several
small animals and birds on his back.
Joseph Addison said, "Friendship improves happiness, and abates
misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief."
The Bible teaches, "Friends
always show their love. What are brothers for if not to share trouble?... A
loyal friend is like a medicine that keeps you in good health....The greatest
love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them."
A true friend is one who knows all about
you and still loves you. There are two kinds of people. Some of them brighten
the room when they enter. Others brighten the room when they leave. George
Washington advised to associate with men of good quality for it is better to be
alone than in bad company.
"I
think that God will never send,
A
gift so precious as a friend.
A
friend who always understands,
And
fills each need as it demands."- Rosalie Carter.
.................................................................................................................................................
© By Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University
of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's
College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School,
Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath,
Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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