Breaking up with good friends basically comes down to three things—human nature will make you experience it firsthand through three short stories below. No matter how good the friendship, you need to cherish it carefully.
🥚 Story of Good Friends (One): Habit and Taking for Granted
A doesn’t like eggs. Every time eggs were distributed, A would give them to B. B was grateful initially, but over time became habitual. Habitually became taken-for-granted. So one day when A gave the eggs to C, B was upset. She forgot the eggs were originally A’s to give to whoever they pleased.
They had a big fight over this, and from then on, stopped being friends.
Reflection: When we become accustomed to others’ generosity, we easily forget gratitude and treat it as our right. Once lost, bitterness arises.
🏞️ Story of Good Friends (Two): Expectations and Resentment
One particularly hot summer, a group went rafting. A girl lost her flip-flops while playing in the water and they sank to the bottom. When reaching shore, it was all scorching hot pebbles, requiring a long walk. So the girl asked others for help. But this time, nobody helped her. She suddenly felt these people were bad, not helping her in a crisis. Later, a boy gave her his flip-flops and told the girl: “Nobody is obligated to help you.”
Often, we become accustomed to others’ kindness and consider it natural. One day they don’t help, we feel resentful. Actually, it’s not that others became bad, but our demands increased. Habituated to receiving, we forgot to be grateful.
Reflection: Helping is a matter of sentiment; not helping is the default. Excessive expectations cause resentment when help isn’t received.
🐺 Story of Good Friends (Three): Talk vs. Action
Evening. A sheep was alone playing on a hillside. Suddenly a wolf rushed from the trees planning to eat the sheep. The sheep jumped up, desperately resisting with horns and loudly calling for help from friends.
The bull looked from the bushes, saw the wolf, and ran away. The horse looked down, saw the wolf, and bolted. The donkey stopped to look, saw the wolf, and quietly snuck downhill. The pig passed by here, saw the wolf, and rushed downhill. The rabbit heard the cry and quickly disappeared.
The dog at the bottom heard the sheep’s call and quickly rushed uphill, emerging from the grass. It suddenly bit the wolf’s neck. The wolf yelped in pain. When the dog got a breath, the wolf scrambled and fled in panic.
The sheep returned home, and friends came. The bull said: “Why didn’t you tell me? My horns could have gored open the wolf’s intestines.” The horse said: “Why didn’t you tell me? My hooves could have kicked the wolf’s head in.” The donkey said: “Why didn’t you tell me? My roar alone would scare the wolf to death.” The pig said: “Why didn’t you tell me? My snout could have tossed it down the hillside.” The rabbit said: “Why didn’t you tell me? I could run fast and send messages!”
In this noisy crowd, notably absent was the dog.
Reflection: True friendship isn’t flowery words but the hand pulling you when you need it. Those surrounding you daily, giving small happiness, aren’t necessarily true friends.
💖 To Our Friends Who Stay Through Thick and Thin
Making it through 1 year together isn’t easy! Sticking through 2 years deserves cherishing! Making it 3 years is miraculous. Making it 5 years is a true confidant. If still there after 10 years, invite them into your life. 20 years of not abandoning you—they’re your lifelong family!
In this changeable era, pay more attention to friends around you. Add more understanding, less calculation. Learn gratitude, don’t forget those who’ve been good to you. To friends in my life who never abandon me.