The Gift of Friendship

Written for the Persimmon Tree Short Take

21st November 2025

We all need a good friend, particularly in these unsettling times. It is also at this time of year that many in the World come together to celebrate their religion or to enjoy gatherings with friends and family. But what makes a true friend? We might loosely talk of ‘friends’ in the sense of knowing them through a shared belief, activity, or time spent at school and college, for example. Some of these friends we might know quite well, but the gift of a true friend is, above all, someone you can trust; without trust, there can be no friendship that has any meaning. And this trust is borne out of the giving of truth, no matter how difficult a conversation; a friend who gives you truth at all times is worth their weight in gold, someone you know you can offload your problems to, or seek help and advice.

Sometimes it is not until a situation arises that a friend shows their loyalty by supporting you, perhaps even defending you against all odds, because loyalty is an essential part of true friendship, encompassing both truth and trust. Even if you have done wrong, a true friend would show their loyalty, standing by you through a difficult time in your life. Perhaps it is at these times that a true friendship is born, a gift that does not ask for anything in return, but is open and true with your best interests at heart.

True friendship is a gift because it asks for nothing in return. There is no double meaning, expectation, selfish intention or capricious behaviour. This gift also demonstrates inner strength and a clear sense of who they are, allowing genuine concern, warmth, and kindness in their friendship.

In these times of change and uncertainty, this is the gift I wish for everyone in their life: a friend to be their shadow through thick and thin, with you reciprocating in a way that forms an unbreakable bond.