Some people say that friendship is the only channel through which human beings can ever experience the value of life. In our daily life, it is likely that you share some common interests with others-they may like the same sport, go to the same school or like the same kind of music as you do. Since you often meet them, they become your acquaintances (相识的人). Although some people develop many acquaintances, only a few become their good friends in their lifetime because there are differences between acquaintances and friends.
It is said that true friendship begins when someone knows what you are really like, but still likes you anyway. A true friend shows loyalty (忠诚)from the very beginning of the relationship. A friend will go through challenges to help you without expecting anything in return. A "friend" today may probably become a "true friend" tomorrow when they get involved in unexpected circumstances (条件)together with you-for example, when you are going through a difficult experience and your friend is there to help you out. However, some acquaintances might leave you when you badly need their help. At this time, you can experience what true friendship is.
In our life, some people seem to go through life with plenty of friends. They may be funny or they may have a bright and pleasant personality (性格). For these people, wherever they go, people seem to like them and welcome their company. But when they go through challenging life experiences, some of their friends are not there to help them. Therefore we can say some of their friends are not real friends and their friendship is just skin-deep.
However, others seem to go through life with no friends at all. They like to be alone, to travel by themselves or to do their own things. It's a pity that few of these people find success in life because they have no friends. They lack the best gift in life-friendship.
