A Friend Is The Only Person You

The Child Who Ran Weeping To You With A Cut Finger Is Now Brought Home, Smiling Gamely, With A Broken Collarbone And Incredible Contusions- 'it Wasn't Jezebels Fault, Dad.'

A Bag Of Apples, A Pot Of Homemade Jam, A Scribbled Note, A Bunch Of Golden Flowers, A Coloured Pebble, A Box Of Seedlings, An Empty Scent Bottle For The Children. . . . Who Needs Diamonds And Van-delivered Bouquets?

A Friendship Can Weather Most Things And Thrive In Thin Soil; But It Needs A Little Mulch Of Letters And Phone Calls And Small, Silly Presents Every So Often - Just To Save It From Drying Out Completely.

A Cat Can Maintain A Position Of Curled Up Somnolence On Your Knee Until You Are Nearly Upright. To The Last Minute She Hopes Your Conscience Will Get The Better Of You And You Will Settle Down Again.

A Cat Likes To Hear You Calling Him. He Sits In A Bush A Yard From Your Shoes - And Listens.