How to make friends

Nastya was sitting on a bench in the middle of the schoolyard. Alone. Sixth day at the new school — and still alone.

The other children were running, laughing, sharing stickers. And Nastya sat and watched. She wanted to go up. To say «hello.» But — how? What to say next? What if they say «get out of here»?

The former girlfriends stayed in the old city. Dad changed jobs, they moved. «You’ll get to know each other quickly,» Mom promised. “You’re so cheerful.” But it turned out that Nastya was not cheerful at all in her new place. In her new place, Nastya was silent and indecisive.

Today there was another attempt. During the break, Nastya approached a group of girls. She stood for a while. She listened to what they were talking about. And when one of them looked at her questioningly, Nastya got scared and walked away. Without saying a word.

Now she was sitting on a bench, hugging her knees and thinking, "I'll never make friends with anyone.".

And suddenly - something landed on the back of the bench behind her. Nastya turned around. On the back rail of the bench sat a little red squirrel in a pink scarf. With an acorn in its paws. And it looked at Nastya.

"Oh," was all Nastya said.

"Hello," said the squirrel. "I'm Solomiyka. And you're Nastya, right?"

Nastya nodded. And then she doubted. Squirrels don't talk. And they don't know names.

"I've been looking at you for three days now," Solomiyka continued. "And I don't like it.".

— What's not to like?

"That you're alone. I like company.".

At that moment, a large, warm owl perched on a low branch of a young maple tree growing near the bench. With light brown feathers and small round glasses on its beak.

"I'm Sophie," the owl said gently. "I heard you're having a hard time making new friends?"

Nastya hesitated. Telling owls about school problems was too much. But Sofiyka looked so attentively and kindly. And Solomiyka too — with such quiet sympathy. And Nastya told. About moving. About old friends. About how she approached the group and couldn't say anything.

Sofiyka listened attentively, did not interrupt. Solomiyka sighed: "Oh...", "I know...", "Oh-oh...".

When Nastya fell silent, Sofiyka was silent for a while. And then she said:

— Nastya, I want to tell you something. About how friendship is born. Do you want to?

Nastya nodded. Because she really wanted to.

🦉 Lesson from Sofiyka

"Oh, listen," Solomiyka said dreamily. "My dad always listens. He's silent, and I'm talking. Sometimes it seems to me that he's asleep. And then he suddenly tells me something so wise - and I understand: he heard everything.".

"Listening is the greatest gift you can give a person," added Sofiyka. "Because most people wait until the other person is quiet before they speak. But true friends listen for real.".

Nastya thought for a moment. She tried to remember the last time someone had kissed her. truly I listened. And I understood — a long time ago.

"What if I come tomorrow and nothing works out?" Nastya asked quietly.

"And you don't have to look for just one day," Sofiyka replied softly. "Look every day, a week, a month. Somewhere, you'll definitely find someone with whom you'll "click" - and you'll become close.".

"And I think," Solomiyka added, "that you'll come up with something tomorrow. Because, Nastya, you're actually very interesting. You just haven't let others see it yet.".

Nastya smiled. For the first time in a week, broadly and honestly.

"I'll go see that girl with the pigtails tomorrow. She seems to like reading too.".

— There! — Solomiyka picked up. — Say: «What are you reading now?». Just that. And listen.

Nastya smiled again.

Sofiyka believes in you. And Solomiyka too. 🦉🐿️