Jenny Learns about having Friends
Illustration © 2023 Susan Fleming
It is playtime at school. Katy and her friend Poppy are in the playground having a game of hop scotch. They like this game because you have to be very careful how you throw the stone into the right square. You also have to hop. Other friends join in and they have great fun.
Then Katy sees a girl in her class, Jenny, crouched down in the corner of the playground with her i-phone. She looks very unhappy. Katy goes over to Jenny.
“What is the matter?” asks Katy, “Are you all right?”
“I’m OK,” says Jenny with a sigh. “It’s just that I have 45 friends on Twitter. If I have 45 friends, why do I feel so lonely?”
Katy thinks for a moment, then she says, “When was the last time you spoke to one of your friends, like we are talking now?”
“I don’t actually talk to them like we are talking now,” replies Jenny.
“But you cannot have real friends unless you do things together, and really talk to them,” says Katy.
Just then playtime is over and they have to go back into school.
“Look, Jenny,” says Katy, “Poppy is coming to tea tomorrow. Would you like to come too?”
“Yes please,” says Jenny, with a big smile.
So, Katy and Jenny make sure their Mummies are happy, and the next day Poppy and Jenny go home with Katy for tea.
“Mummy says we have to leave our i-phones in this box until after tea,” says Katy.
They all explore Katy’s bedroom and play some lovely games together and forget all about i-phones. Katy’s Mummy gives them a scrumptious tea, and all too soon it is time for Poppy and Jenny to go home.
“I wish you were my friends,” says Jenny.
“We are!” say Katy and Polly at the same time.
They all look at each other and laugh.