Friendship

What is friendship? Some people will say that it is a feeling of mutual liking between two or more people, others will add that it is a state when one person understands and supports the other one.

To my mind friendship can be compared to a tree. Its seed should find good soil and under good conditions it will grow into a tree. As the years go by the tree stands firmer and firmer on the ground. And if it is strong enough, it will survive all the storms and winds. But to help it, we should take care of it and love it.

The most important feeling that exists between friends is trust. It never appears by itself, it's the result of a long friendship and this feeling is very valuable. Respect and tolerance are also very important; it means that you don't criticize your friend's way of living, but try to understand him, discuss problems with him and explain to him what you think is good and what is bad. A friend is a person who can always help you, lend you any sum of money for a long period of time without any percent, whom you can wake up in the middle of the night just to say you feel bad or who is ready to do everything for you waiting nothing in return, who supports you in all your beginnings and who will never betray you.

Lucky are those people who have friends. I'm happy to have lots of friends too. Some of them are very close, some are not. But all of them make my life interesting.

I appreciate friendship. Friendship is a bridge between loneliness and good company, frustration and confidence, despair and hope, bad luck and success. That's why a true friend is a priceless gift. “They are rich who have true friends”, says a proverb, and I agree.

What makes a good friend?

• Spending time together.

• Having lots of fun together (if not, you'd better look for another friend!)

• Having equal rights (It is not right when one of the friends is always the leader and another one follows him).

• Both of you work at keeping the friendship.

• Giving each other some space. Even best friends need some time to be alone or with other friends, so don't try to 'own' each other.

• Loyalty, honesty, mutual understanding and support.

• Respecting each other's differences.

• Feeling safe talking to each other about your feelings and problems; sharing ideas and secrets.

• Trusting each other.

Name 3 points that are the most important for you.

Vocabulary:

mutual – взаємний

support – підтримувати

seed – зерно

soil – грунт, земля

survive – виживати

to take care of – дбати прo

valuable – цінний

to discuss – обговорювати

to lend money – позичати гроші

to trust – довіряти

to betray – зраджувати

to appreciate – цінувати

I. Answer the questions:

1. What is friendship?

2. Can the friendship be compared with a tree?

3. What is the most important feeling that exists between friends?

4. Who can be called a real friend?

5. What do you like about your friends?

6. What do they like about you?