Narrative essay - A Friend In Life (A)

Have you ever had someone in your life who helped you figure out
who you were? Someone who showed you the right path? Someone
who would be there for you even if you did not take that path? Someone
who always seemed to be right, but never held it against you when you
were not? Someone whom without, your life would most likely be
entirely different? Friendship is definitely one of the most indispensable
experiences of life. For me, I have that special someone and her name
was Jenny.

Jenny was more than my neighbour. She was more than my

mentor and confidante. She was my best friend. Jenny lived three
houses down from me when I moved into a new neighbourhood. She
made moving to a new neighbourhood a lot easier. She was one of those
persons who was a friend to everyone because she was so special. She
was always in a good mode. She always had something pleasant to say
and no matter what was going on, she could get you to smile.

Jenny was a few years older than I. She was in Form Four and I
was Form One when we met. She was tall for her age and practically
towered over me. She always kept her long, black hair pulled back into a
pony tail because she was a bit of a tomboy and like to be athletic.
However, when she let it down, it waved in the gentle breeze and there
was no more doubt that she was a girl. Her facial features were very soft.
She also had the deepest brown eyes that sparkled brightly. When she
flashed her pearly white teeth, she would light up an entire room.
Wherever she was, there would be laughter, smiles and happiness
spreading out like some sort of delightful virus.

She would listen patiently to you. She would be your friend, even
if she had just met you. I could not remember a time when she had
something unpleasant to say about someone. That was one of the many
valuable lessons I learned from her and it had become a part of my life.

She seemed to know everything. Each time I had a perplexing

question, I knew she would have the answer for me. Her wisdom
spanned several subjects, ranging from textbook lessons to life’s lessons.
She taught me by example. She showed me that it was a waste of time
and energy to get mad, upset, angry or so irate that I allowed myself to
be consumed by my emotions. She was always calm, patient and even-
tempered when faced with people who were less than pleasant to be
around. I learned from watching her deal with people, that being nice
never fails. And I learned from watching her deal with situation, life
would present - that as long as you gave everything you had and never
quit, you could never be beaten.

Jenny was truly an amazing friend. She was a true friend. I could
always depend on her, being there for me with the right words of advice,
even if I did not want to hear what she was saying. She knew how
perilous the journey of adolescence could be. She informed and guided
me in my choices. Yet, she never forced anything on me. My mistakes
were for me to make. Nonetheless, she would be right there to steer me
back once I realised what I had done. I know for a fact that my life and
my attitudes toward life would be different if I had not known Jenny.
There were so many times in my life when I would have been completely
lost without her kind words and comforting voice to soothe and
shepherd me.

Although Jenny is now away at college and not here to share my

trials and tribulations, she will forever be with me, deep in my heart. I
will never forget the lessons she has taught me. Most of all, I appreciate
her genuine and warm friendship. Making friends can be one of the most
rewarding experiences in life. Like every other experiences in life, one
must always be ready to take the good with the bad. Thank you for
being my dear friend, Jenny.
 Narrative essay - A Friend In Life (B)

“What happened?” I could hear myself asking this question over

and over again. As I slowly regained consciousness, I found myself in
hospital. The past flashed through my mind. I realized with horror what
has happened.

Ismail and I were the best of friends who lived in the same
neighbourhood fou umpteen years. In school, we had always joined the
same sport that is cross-country. The two of us never failed to jog every
morning in the park. We especially liked jogging along the path of the big
river.

One of the morning, we went jogging by the river as usual. We

were jogging slowly as we talked about the coming inter-school cross-
country competition. I said, “Peter is bound to be one of the two to be
chosen to represent our school. I wonder which one of us will be other
lucky person.”

Ismail suddenly stopped jogging and looked uncomfortable. His

voice faltered as he spoke, “Alex, I don’t want to keep it from you any
longer. Mr.Lim has already told me that Peter and I were chosen.”

My face turned pale as I was devastated. All my wild dreams of

being the inter-school cross-country champion were shattered. If only I
had practised more often, if only they had wanted three persons to
represent the school, if only...if only Ismail were not such a good runner.

I was so overwhelmed with disappointment that when Ismail

came over to comfort me, I pushed him away roughly. He lost his
balance and grabbed at me for support. We screamed as we both fell
into the river.

The next thing I remembered was being in the hospital. Friends

and relatives who came to visit me later told me what had happened.
Ismail had saved me, risking his own life as he was not a strong swimmer.
His knees were injured while trying to save me.

I felted extremely ashamed of myself. I had put Ismail’s life in

danger through my unreasonable and childish behaviour. Yet, he had
saved me. As a result of his knee injury, Ismail would not be able to
represent the school in the cross-country race. This made me feel worse
than ever. I conveyed my gratitude to Ismail for his help. He said that
was what friends were for - both good times and bad times. His
assistance strengthened our ties of friendship and we hope to remain
best friends forever.

I have, since that incident, resolved to make it up to him in

whatever way I can. I will try my best to be a true friend to him as he has
been to me.