Assalamualaikum and a very good morning to the honourable judges, teachers, parents

and my fellow friends.  Today, on this fine day, I would like to present a public speech
about ‘Types of friends’.

Ladies and gentlemen,

To up your chances of living a long, happy life, having a bunch of fair-weather buddies
won’t do the trick. You need a diverse, well-rounded entourage that will stick with you
through thick and thin. The following four types of friends are just what you need to keep
the doctor away.

Firstly, a Loyal Best Friend.

Sometimes a loyal best friend is the only thing you need to stay sane. Everyone needs
a non-judgmental friend who will support them no matter what. This is the kind of friend
who lets you be a hot mess and knows all of your deepest and darkest secrets, but still
loves you all the same. Do your remember the quote from our favorite characters
Winnie the pooh and piglet?‘ A day without loyal friend is like a pot without a single drop
of honey left inside’. And “if you live to be hundred, I hope I live to be a hundred minus
one day, so that I never have to live a day without you’…How loyal Winnie the pooh and
the piglet!

Next type of friend is a Fearless Adventurer

In today’s world, ladies and gentlemen, in our everyday lives, more and more pressure
is lifted in our very own shoulders, because of this world, the world community, and
even I myself, had smiled less, laughed less. However, we live in a big world where
there are so many places to see, people to meet, and experiences to be had, yet so
many of us are stuck in our own routines and forget to, well, live. We all need an
adventurous friend who will pull us out of our shells and introduce us to new ideas,
cultures, philosophies, and activities. Have you seen ‘Up’ movie where Russell, an
enthusiastic young Wilderness Explorer, and Carl, a septuagenarian tied to his house in
more ways than one, are probably the unlikeliest pair of Pixar friends? It takes the two a
little while to get along — Carl is pretty cranky, after all — but this yin-and-yang combo
spurs each other to think outside of the box and learns even sharing ice cream can be
an adventure if someone you care about is with you. Thus, we need a friend who is
fearless adventurer in our life.

My dear audiences,

A Wise Mentor is another type of friend that you need in your life but why?

Jesse Jackson once said, “Never look down on someone unless you’re helping them
up.” If you have someone smart, inspiring, and admirable in your life who practices this
philosophy, you’re extremely lucky. We all need a friend who inspires us to be better
people without making us feel inadequate. Plus, being around such a person will
challenge us to better ourselves every day.

The wise mentor in your life doesn’t have to be someone who shares the same
occupation or hobbies with you. It’s simply someone who’s a few steps ahead of you in
life and has enough wisdom and patience to guide you in the right direction. It can be
anyone — a colleague, a friend who’s beyond their years, or an older neighbour — as
long as you look up to this person and want to be more like them. Do you have one?

Ladies and gentlemen,

The last thing you want to be described as is someone who’s stuck in their own ways. If
everyone had a friend from a different culture, the world would be a  much better place.
Being in a cross-cultural friendship allows you to explore customs, values, and traditions
outside of your own culture. Sometimes you might even adopt new ways to do things.

Be careful; don’t befriend someone just because they’re from a different culture. No one

likes to be a token friend. Instead, keep your mind open, and if you come across
someone you click with who just so happens to be from a different culture, make the
effort to learn about their customs, values, and traditions while getting to know the
person on a personal level. Have your ever seen Ratatouille movie, “not everyone can
become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere." The same can be
said for a great friend, as Remy, a rat with refined culinary tastes, and Linguini, a
clumsy kitchen assistant, learn while dicing and spicing. In this story, we can learn that
friendship don’t have to be between only people but beyond that. Therefore, don’t limit
your friendship by checking upon others’ culture but by embracing it.

In conclusion, with a loyal best friend, a fearless adventurer, a brutally honest

confidant, a wise mentor, a friend from a different culture, a polar opposite, a friendly
neighbor, and a work pal in your life, you’re bound to live a long and happy life!
Therefore, I end my speech with thank you very much and good bye. Thank you.