The former article “Be Loyal” has tackled the issue of man’s giving up on his friend. I tried to clarify that life principles cannot be divided. An honest man will act honestly at all times. He won’t expect a reward for his honesty, but from God, Glory be to Him. He will always depend on Him in all his life conditions. We also mentioned that the true friend is not shown through situations, years and disputes no matter how harsh they are. However, you can determine how honest his ideas and emotions are through disputes. As Shakespeare, the English writer says, “Sometimes you need dispute to know what others hide in their hearts, you may find what other hide in their hearts. You may be amazed and you may kneel down out of respect!”
Dear reader, Friendship is a relationship that promotes person’s life. It needs loyal people. However, be a noble person with those who don’t understand the meaning of friendship and give them a helping hand. You will eventually get your reward from God. As for the true friend, don’t ever give up on him even if you would get all the world’s treasures!.Once, I have read a story related to that matter. It is full of great meanings, yet it’s a simple one. The story says that once upon a time, there was a prince who was wandering around the city in disguise as he used to do that. He passed by a merchant and his son. They were chatting. The prince heard them attentively as the merchant asked his son “How many friends do you have, my son?” “I have 40 friends, father”, the son said. The merchant said in amazement “Oh dear! This is confusing. I am fifty now yet I don’t have any friends but a one and a half.”The prince was astonished. The merchant’s words were repeating themselves in his head. He greatly wished to understand the meaning of that phrase “A friend and a half”. He ordered to summon the merchant. The merchant came along. The prince told him immediately that he had listened to his conversation with his son and that he wanted to know its significance. The merchant said “I am at your order, our prince, what part of the conversation would you like to understand?” “The prince answered “What do you meant by saying ‘I have a friend and a half ‘?”.The merchant smiled and asked the prince to allow him to explain the phrase not in words but in real life, so he would know what he had meant. Then he asked him to declare that” The merchant will be executed next Friday in town”, so the prince was increasingly amazed yet he agreed and ordered the town crier to declare that the merchant will be executed next Friday. On the next day, while the prince was at his palace…to be continued…
Anba Ermiah,
General Bishop& President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
