What colour is an apple? If you say red, yellow or green, you are just thinking of the surface and ignoring the most part of it, which is white. There is a big difference between apples and people, as we often think about both in the same way. That is, we consider other persons only at the surface level. Our view of them is shallow and one-dimensional. No wonder we aren’t impressed by most of the people we come across. Yet, if we plunge into the depth of those we encounter, we will discover hidden treasures.

People are treasures. But as long as they are strangers, they are undiscovered. It is only after making friends that we have the chance to open the lid of the treasure chest and discover the glittering gems inside it. Each friend represents a world in us. A world possibly is not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. Although friendship may not be necessary for survival, survival is meaningless without it.

The more friends we have the richer our lives. But the number of friends we make is limited because of many impediments that block our way. Impediment to friendship is the difference between us. After all, birds of the same feather flock together and those that are different are usually unwelcome.

Friendship won can easily be lost because of misunderstandings. Being angry with a friend is like burning down your own house to kill a rat. Rebuild damaged relationship with forgiveness and realistic expectations. After all, people are imperfect, including us. If we are to be accepted with all our faults, don’t we owe others the same courtesy?

If we are easily hurt by our friends’ insensitive remarks, imagine how they feel when we do the same. The truth is we make more enemies by what we say than friends by what we do. We can win a few friends with our mouths, more with our ears, and the most with our hearts. As long as we communicate in a thoughtful and caring way, we will maintain our friendship.

Friendship is to people what sunshine is to flowers. People need nurturing. They need our friendship, so don’t wait for them to be friendly, but show them how. Just as a seed yields countless apples, one friendship will sprout countless joys.