Student Work: "How to Make a Best Friend in One Day"

How to Make a Best Friend in One Day

by

Alex Elliott, age 9

            You might find yourself sitting alone at school. Look around for a friendly face. Smiles mostly. But if you see a sad face, it’s most likely you’ll go over and make friends. They will be friendly because they want to have a friend, too.

            But later, if you realize they are mean, take a step back and look for others.

            Try to avoid mean words, embarrassing movements, and bad manners. Also look out for bossiness. Don’t do unfriendly things. It might not be others who are messing up your friendships, but it might just be you.

            For example, try your hardest to smile at anyone and share laughter.

            If you have a close friend already, that doesn’t mean you can’t have others.

            At first, with someone new, don’t try to tell your friend all your secrets. Just be fun and play simple games. Don’t try to play “Would You Rather” or “Truth or Dare” because embarrassing things will spill out. Play things like “Monopoly” or “Checkers”. They are safe.

            A new friend might try to teach you how to play a complicated game. You will tell how nice she is if she teaches you so you can understand it and goes easy.

            Talk about things you like and see if you have anything in common. Don’t fire questions at her.

            When you go out together, tell her to bring a small amount of money so you will not have to buy tons of accessories for her or the whole lunch. This could mean she doesn’t care that you’re spending all your allowance, which is a warning sign of an unhealthy friendship. But you can throw in a free something, like a bracelet, as a gift of friendship that tells her you’re a good friend.

            Some people have delicate feelings, so be careful of mentioning things that could be private. This will happen if you get a good friendship. People will tell you their secrets and you will tell them yours.

            If you say something like, “Oh, I just hate old Arthur,” just out of the blue, they might think, “Well, hey, I love Arthur.” That could snap the beginning of your friendship in half.

            Sour feelings can grow over friends, but people with lasting friendships shrug it off and continue the way they always were.

            If you feel it’s time to go searching for a new friend, tell your existing friend you think you should have other friends too. This may make her mad, but she will lose the heat soon and go back to being regular friends with you.

            Don’t think you’re too busy to be involved in a friendship. School is always a way for people to connect with each other, especially during lunch and recess. 

            Keep making friends, and edge around the mean ones. Remember to smile.

The End

This story first appeared in The Story Hatchery Anthology last year. We compile an anthology of our students' work each year.