A boy once asked his father,
“Dad, do we really need friends in life?”
The father smiled gently and replied,
“Yes, we do. If life were simple, you wouldn’t need friends.
But life is often complicated.
You need someone by your side —
someone you can open your heart to,
someone you can share your sorrows with,
someone who won’t judge you but will comfort you,
someone whose shoulder you can cry on.
A true friend gives you courage in moments of fear
and helps you get through life’s hardest times.”
The boy then asked,
“Is it true that a betraying friend is more dangerous than an enemy?”
The father said,
“Absolutely. Because an enemy is easy to recognize —
and that makes it easier to protect yourself.
But a betraying friend knows all your weaknesses —
and that’s why he knows exactly how to stab you in the back.”
The boy thought for a moment and then asked,
“So how can I avoid such fake or disloyal friends?”
After a pause, the father said,
“Tell me this — where do you find more snakes and scorpions:
in a small garden or in a forest?”
The boy quickly replied, “In a forest.”
The father gently placed his hand on his son’s head and said,
“Exactly, my son.
Keep your circle small.
A small, peaceful garden is all you need for a peaceful life.”
