Friends should be fewer but they should be very sincere. But it is very difficult to find sincere friends. Such people cannot be found everywhere. If you have got enough money to spend on your friends, you may have plenty of friends. If you are a poor man, very few people care for you.
There are many well-wishers of mine in the world. But I do not find them suitable to be friend. Most of them are selfish people. It I ask them of making some favour to me, they do not stand by me.
A sincere friend can be tested in times of adversity. In times of prosperity there are many friends, but in times of adversity, only few people are left who stand by us. Such people are fit to be called as friends. Most of the people are very selfish and they know how to grind their own ace. They have no sympathy with you. They simply want to exploit you. Therefore, we have to search for good friends.
I have got only four friends who have proved themselves as worthy of my friends hip while tested well in times of adversity. But Shri Govind Lal is the sincerest person. Once I was travelling in the bus and unfortunately my pocket was picked. He was with me. He caught the pick-pocket and snatched the purse from him and handed it over to me. He took him to the Police Station and thus saved my money. Since that day we have been close friends. He is a rich man’s son. His father has got a big factory. But he is a bold, plain-speaking and truthful person.
I do not like lying or liars: Shri Govind is a truth-loving fellow. He does not like lying. Luckily, he is my class-mate also.
He is weak in studies and I help him everyday in the evening. He goes out for a walk with me and tells me strange stories. He visits my house and my mother treats him as her own son.
Shri Govind La! is regular in his studies, but he needs my help. I know that he is very good at heart and therefore I, too, help him. I often go to his house and sit with him for hours together.
His house is in a bungalow. It has got a small orchard. We sit under the shady trees and study for hours. We are surrounded by the flower-plants. There is a very good atmosphere for studies. Only on holidays we sit and study together.
My friend hates smoking and drinking. He hates lying. He hates all sorts of showmanship. He is sincere and good at heart. He has no envy against any one. Again, he is a very funny type of person. He cuts jokes and we laugh our time away.
You well know that such friends are very rare? Believe me I am lucky to have such a rare friend. I shall advise you all to test your friends in times of adversity. In times of adversity many persons slip away. Only the sincerest persons help you and do not leave you. Only when a friend has been tested, he may be called a true friend.
You can’t befriend the whole world. Choose only a few persons but all those must have the above qualities. Then your friendship will last longer.