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Young World
Friends like these
PAVITRA SRINIVASAN
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Prashant was happy that his best friend Sathish won all the prizes. Or was he?
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Congratulations!” yelled Prashant, as Sathish stepped into the classroom, clutching two shields. “First mark in the Quarterly exams and First Prize in the District Essay Competition!” He gave Sathish’s unprotected back a resounding whack. Then he whispered, “Better leave some honours for us poor souls in Class VIII.” He gave another whack, as friends surrounded them, yelling greetings.
At the canteen
Sathish went back to his seat, Prashant skipped behind, exuberant. He was happy, yes. Inside him, though, there was a mixture of emotions that left him feeling vaguely light-headed. Sathish was his best friend and they did everything together; but recently he realised that Sathish was far more intelligent and talented than anyone else in their class. Of course, Sathish’s friendship raised his own status among their classmates. He grinned, and gave him another thundering thump on the back. “I’m so proud of you!”
Murugan grinned, saying, “Careful, you might break his neck.”
Prashant laughed, but felt uneasy. “I’m just being my usual, friendly self.” He didn’t see Sathish roll his eyes.
Murugan said, “Meet me at the canteen at recess?”
Prashant nodded uncertainly. When the bell rang, Prashant went to the canteen. Murugan was by the window. There was silence. “I’m not hurting Sathish,” he said defensively. “It’s just my way of showing affection.”
“Maybe that’s what you tell yourself,” said Murugan. “But there’s something wrong with your affection if Sathish’s arm is all black and blue from it!”
Prashant’s jaw dropped. “I don’t hate him,” he began. Then his eyes widened, as if he just realised something. “Oh my god! I’m jealous. Of my best friend.”
“And that’s making you hit out at him — in the guise of friendship. You can’t punish him for being better than you, so you make sure he’s in pain,” said Murugan. “How do I stop being jealous? I can’t keep hurting him?”
“Think about what you like in him. What made you his friend? All the times he helped you out. And then think about what would happen if he knew your jealousy. Think about what you would lose.”
Correction: In the story titled “On the wings of a pure white parrot” that appeared in the YW dt. November 16, it was mentioned that the parrot met the polar bear in the south pole. However, polar bears are native only to the north pole.
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