A NEW FRIEND Arun and his friend Vijay

A NEW FRIEND Arun and his friend Vijay were on their way to play cricket, when they spotted the new boy in class, Sushant, sitting alone on the front verandah of his house.

“Let’s invite him to come play with us, ” said Arun to Vijay. “He just moved here, so he doesn’t have any friends. I bet he’s feeling bored. ” Why do you want to call him? Asked Vijay, giving his friend a disapproving look. “You know, he’s not one of us. He belongs to a lower caste. ” “How does this matter? ” replied Arun. “After all, we’re all in the same class at school. I’m sure he’d like to play with us!” “Our family doesn’t mix up with those kinds of people, ” answered Vijay proudly. “If you call him, then I’m not playing!”

Arun stared at his friend, not knowing what to say. He didn’t agree with what Vijay said, but he didn’t want to lose his friend either. Unable to decide what to do, Arun finally said, “You go ahead and play, Vijay. I need to go back home and finish my homework. ” Arun walked back home slowly, feeling confused. When his Mother saw him coming back so soon, she was surprised. “You’re back so soon? I thought you went to play cricket!” “I decided to come back and do my homework, ” said Arun quietly. “Well, that’s great! I’m proud of you, ” said his Mother, walking into the kitchen to prepare some snacks. “Ma, can I ask you a question? ” asked Arun suddenly. “Why does Vijay’s family tell him not to mix with people like Sushant, the new student in our class?

Ma came out of the kitchen and sat down at the table. “Because they are ignorant and stuck in their old traditions, ” she explained, looking Arun in the eye. “Long time ago, people used to think that they should mix up only with their own kind. But as we know that God made everyone equal. All of us are the same: we all have two eyes, one nose, and one mouth. We all have the same white teeth and the same red blood. So why should we treat anyone differently just because they are from a different group? ” Arun thought about his Mother’s words for a moment. Then he said slowly, “Ma, I don’t want to lose Vijay as my best friend. But is there anything wrong if I make friends with Sushant? ” “Of course not! Don’t be afraid of what your friends say or think. You must do what you know in your heart is right. Then God will bless you. And if God blesses you, I’m sure He won’t let you lose a friend, but instead He will help you gain an extra one!” said Ma with a twinkle in her eye.

Arun quickly finished up his homework and decided to go to the cricket field. On the way he passed by Sushant’s house. He was still sitting alone on the verandah. “Sushant! Do you want to come play cricket with us? ” called Arun. “Sure! Let me just tell my Mother, ” replied Sushant excitedly. Soon he came out to the gate and joined Arun. No one in his calss had invited him so far, so he was very happy. The two boys were talking as they walked down the road to the cricket field, when all of a sudden they saw Vijay coming towards them. He was limping badly. “What happened, Vijay? ” yelled Arun. Vijay’s face twisted in pain. “The cirket ball hit my leg hard, and I fell down on a sharp rock. It hurts a lot, so I just want to get home quickly. ” Sushant immediately said, “My Mother is a nurse, and our house is just nearby. Let’s go there right now, and she can quickly take care of your wound and give you a bandage. ”

Vijay hesitated, but Arun firmly said, “Sushant is right. Your leg is bleeding badly, and I don’t think it’s good for you to walk all the way home in this condition. ” Arun and Sushant brought Vijay to Sushant’s Mother, who immediately cleaned up the boy’s wound applied a bandage over it. Vijay felt much better. “Thank you so much, Auntie, ” Vijay said to Sushant’s Mother. And turning to Sushant, he said, “And thank you for taking me to your house to help me. None of my friends on the cricket field even bothered to help me. But even though you hardly know me, you were so kind to me. I’m looking forward to being your friend. ” “Me too, ” said Sushant, with a smile.

“Hey, why don’t we all go to my house for a snack? ” offered Arun excitedly. “My Mother just finished making some fresh snacks that she asked me to share with my friends!” As Arun stood up to go along with Sushant and Vijay, he realised that his Mother’s words had come true. “Mother was correct after all, ” he thought to himself. “Instead of losing a friend today, both Vijay and I gained a new one!” MORAL We should never think of anyone as “high” or “low”. Because such ideas are rooted in old traditions. God made all human beings the same, and we should respect and treat everyone equally.

PREPARED BY: RITIK MANRO V–B ROLL NO. 20