The Popular Student
Just how popular was Mini? Very. Every year, her classmates voted her as the favourite student. She was easy to get along with and great company. The number of friends she had by far outnumbered those of anyone else in her group. One day the 10-year-old was caught yakkety-yakking in the class and ordered to stay back as punishment. Staying back meant doing something 'useful', like helping in the garden or library after school. Now the school in which Mini studied had a rule of sorts. Once a month, you could interchange your punishment schedule with someone else. If you had something else to do the day you were punished, you could ask a friend to stand in for you. Of course, you had to return the favour, but in that same month itself. Otherwise the favour cancelled itself out. So the students who stayed back for others and wanted the favour repaid, found ways to be punished that very month. As it happened, on that day a very dear aunt was visiting Mini on her way back to America. That afternoon was the only chance Mini had of seeing her for another five years. Mini needed someone to stand in for her. That was a problem though - it was the last day of the month. So anyone who helped her, would do so out of friendship's sake alone. She sought out Preeti, her 'best' friend. Oh no Mini, I can't, Preeti said. I have to coach my brother for his nursery entrance test. The kid just can't seem to get into any decent school. And she spent a good deal of time telling Mini of her brother's problems. Mohit, will you stay back for me? Mini asked another friend who was dribbling a ball in the playground. She knew he often just hung around after school. To help the librarian? I wish you'd told me earlier. I have to go to a relative's house with my father. Some other day perhaps, and with that Mohit fled. By now, Mini was beginning to doubt if even one of her friends would agree to stay. But she tried again. Three more friends and each one refused. Of course, no one said no outright. Mini was a great pal, after all. But each had a 'reason' why they couldn't take her place that afternoon, and if only it were some other day... So, after school Mini stayed back to help the librarian, Ms Mathur. And, when the remote Ms Mathur found her crying after everyone had left, it was she who surprised Mini by allowing her to leave to meet her aunt. Some popularity I have, Mini murmured to herself, as she went home. I may have many friends, but in reality I have none.
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纪伯伦--论友谊
On Friendship
And a youth said, Speak to us of Friendship.
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the nay in your own mind, nor do you withhold the ay.
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
论友谊
――摘自纪伯伦的《先知》
于是一个青年说：请给我们谈友谊。
他回答说：
你的朋友是你的有回应的需求。
他是你用爱播种，用感谢收获的田地。
他是你的饮食，也是你的火炉。
因为你饥渴地奔向他，你向他寻求平安。
当你的朋友向你倾吐胸臆的时候，你不要怕说出心中的“否”，也不要瞒住你心中的“可”。
当他静默的时候，你的心仍要倾听他的心；
因为在友谊里，不用言语，一切的思想，一切的愿望，一切的希冀，都在无声的喜乐中发生而共享了。
当你与朋友别离的时候，不要忧伤；
因为你觉得他最可爱之点，当他不在时愈见清晰，正如登山者在平原上望山峰，也加倍地分明。
愿除了寻求心灵的加深之外，友谊没有别的目的。
因为那只寻求着要显露自身的神秘的爱，不算是爱，只算是一张撒下的网，只网住一些无益的东西。
让你的最佳美的事物，都给你的朋友。
假如他必须知道你潮水的下退，也让他知道你潮水的高涨。
你找他只为消磨光阴的人，还能算作你的朋友么？
你要在生长的时间中去找他。
因为他的时间是满足你的需要，不是填满你的空虚。
在友谊的温柔中，要有欢笑和共同的喜悦。
因为在那微末事物的甘露中，你的心能寻到他的清晓而焕发了精神。
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