As a human being, one can hardly do without a friend, for life withoutfriends will be a lonely voyage in the vast dark sea or one in the barrendesert. Traly, a friend gives out light and warmth like a lamp. For this reason,I have always felt it a blessing if a friend comes to console me in my sadness,cheer me up in my low spirits, or heartedly share with me my happiness. It iswonderful, too, to feel that someone is standing by me and ready to provide helpand encouragement in my pursuit of a noble and glorious cause.
For millions of years, people have heaped beautiful verses and essays uponfriendship. Yet, they, too, have mercilessly accused false friendship, for thereare always some mean characters who approach you and act as dear friends whenyou are wealthy or influential, but desert or even betray you the instant youcome down in the world or are entrapped by unfortunate things. Therefore, peopleall attach great importance to the recognition of true friendship. And afaithful friend is considered even more precious than a priceless pearl or aprecious stone. The old saying "A friend in need is a friend indeed" has becomethe teaching and standard for true friends.
Still, it is natural that different people observe different principles inmaking friends. Some view it important to make friends with whom they may sharesimilar interests or hobbies with. Others are liable to befriend VIPs so as togain some favors or privileges. And I am of those who think very little ofsimilarity or position or power. So long as a person has a heart of gold, beingwarm-hearted, selfless, honest, open-minded, but not brutal, cold, shortsightednor narrow-minded, I am willing to make friends with him or her, give my duesupport and help, and remain faithful to him or her all my life.
