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Value: Handling emotions

What makes someone a “true friend”?

Discuss these questions in small groups.

• Do you have many friends?
• Is there a special person who you can call your
best friend?
• Do you celebrate friendship?

The Meaning of a True Friend

Freepik
Once there was a young girl named Jennifer who
was very friendly and popular in her class. She was
friends with everyone in her class. She had so many
friends at school and in her neighborhood.
On Friendship Day, her class organized a party
in which everybody had to make presents and give
them to their best friends. Jennifer was expecting
Based on what you just read, answer the
a lot of gifts from her friends on that day. However, following questions.
when the day arrived, all the presents were shared
among her classmates. She was the only one who a. What is Friendship Day?
didn’t receive a single present. She felt terrible and
cried a lot because no one thought of her as one
of their best friends.
b. According to Jennifer’s mother, what does
On that day when she got home, Jennifer asked it mean to be a good friend?
her mother: “Mom, where can I find a true friend?”
Her mother was surprised, so Jennifer told her mom
about her day at school. She cried and hugged her
mom. Her mother said:
c. Why doesn’t Jennifer have friends?
“You cannot buy friends with a smile. If you really
want true friends, you will have to give them real
time and affection. You’re a great girl, but you can’t
be close friends with everybody. There just isn’t d. What is the difference between a classmate
enough time for everyone, so it’s only possible to and a true friend?
have a few true friends. Most will be your classmates.
Your close friends you can count on one hand”.

e. Who is Jennifer’s true friend?

f. In your personal opinion: is it difficult to find

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true friends?
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