Friends For Granted

Preface:

We all know the famous saying:

The grass always looks ‘greener’ on the other side.

But why do we ignore the grass on our side? Why do take it for granted? Why do we always take our friends for granted?

And I’m not just talking to you! This also applies to me! That’s right! I always used to take my friends for granted, especially my three best friends! But not anymore! Because I’ve learnt that it may sometimes really hurt their feelings.

Here’s a poem that makes us realize how we take our friends for granted!

*****

It was 7:30 in the morning and we were walking down the lane,
My 3 best friends and me, we were running like a plane.
We were already late but we kept our cool,
We were just 5 minutes away from our B-School.

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
‘Oh, I’m so sorry’ was my reply.
He said ‘Please forgive me, I’m sorry too,
I wasn’t exactly watching you.’

We were very polite, this stranger and I,
We went on our way and said good bye.

Later that day, we went to the canteen,
The day was long and we were dying to eat.
I stood in the queue, waiting for the meal,
My best friend stood behind me, very still.

When I turned around, I nearly knocked her down,
‘Move out of the way’ I shouted with a frown.
She walked away, her little heart broken,
I didn’t realize how harsh I had spoken.

I stood my ground and felt I was dead,
My other best friend came near me and said.
‘While dealing with that stranger, courtesy you used,
But the one you love, you just abused.’

He said ‘Go and look near the canteen door,
You’ll find some flowers on the floor.
Those are the flowers she brought for you,
She picked them herself- pink, yellow and blue.
She stood still behind you, not to spoil the surprise,
But you never saw the tears that filled her eyes.’

By this time I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.
I walked out to look for her,
Finally, I knelt down in front of her.

I said ‘are these flowers you picked for me?’
She smiled ‘I found them near the old tree.
I picked them because they are cute and pretty like you,
I knew you’d like them, especially the blue.’

I said ‘I’m sorry for the way I acted today,
I shouldn’t have yelled at you that way.
She smiled again ‘Oh, baby that’s okay,
I still love you anyway.’

I smiled at her and said ‘I love you too,
And I like the flowers, especially the blue.’

*****

Are you aware that if we die tomorrow, the company we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of few days? But the friends we leave behind will always feel the loss. Always!

And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into other things than into our friends. We usually take them for granted!

An unwise investment indeed, don’t you think?