Everyone needs friends. There is an old saying, "Friends are God's way of looking after us." But how do you find real friendship(友谊)and keep it.
The American writer Sally Seamans tells young students some clever ways to find friends. Sally says finding friendship is just like planting a tree. You plant the seed(种子)and look after it to make it grow.
First you should choose(选择)a friend. What is a good friend? It is not because a person has money or good looks. A good friend should be kind and patient(耐心). For example, if you have a bad day, a good friend should listen to your complaints(抱怨)and do his or her best to help you. To make a friend, you cannot be too shy(害羞). You should make each other happy and share your lives.
But things cannot always be happy. Even the best friends have fights. What should you do when you have a fight with your friend? You have to talk to him or her. When there is no other people around you, have an honest(诚实的)talk. If he or she doesn't want to talk, you could write a letter.
There are three steps to be friends again:
Tell him or her how you are feeling; say what your friend has done wrong, and explain(解释) why you did this or that. Remember that friendship is the most important thing in your life.