Once upon a time, there was a poor man and a rich man. The poor man’s son was named Ham, and the rich man’s son was named Jim. They had been in the same school together since childhood and became good friends.

One day, the two youths began a discussion as to whether wealth or effort was more powerful. Jim said that wealth was most important, while Ham declared for effort. At last, Ham declared, “Let us put it to the test: Let us both go to some far country and try whether wealth or effort is more successful.” Jim agreed to this plan and they fixed a day for starting.

Then they both went home and collected some money and started off early one morning. After a time, they came to a certain country where Ham suggested that they should look for employment. But Jim did not like the notion of becoming a servant and he said that he would live on the money which he had brought with him, which would last for a year or two. “You may do as you like,” answered Ham, “but for my part, I must look for work.” So he went to a village and found employment as a teacher in a school while his friend rented a house and started making various friends, eating, drinking and having fun all day.

One year later, Ham earned enough money, built a beautiful house and also got married. However, Jim had already spent all his money, and his friends who indulged in wine and meat also left him. Hungry and sorrowful, he went to Ham and said, “My dear friend, regarding the question of ‘wealth or effort is more important’, I think I’ve already had the answer.”

Two men were sitting together in a plane. They were on a long journey. One of the men was a businessman. The other was a farmer. They sat without talking for a while, then the farmer said, “Let’s do something to pass the time.”

“What do you want to do?” the businessman asked. “We can ask each other riddles (谜语).” The farmer said, “You start.” “Let’s make the rules first,” the businessman said. “That’s not fair. You are a businessman with much knowledge. You know more things than I do. I am just a farmer.”

“That’s true.” The businessman said. “What do you want we should do?” “If you don’t know the answer to a riddle, you pay me $100. And if I don’t know the answer, I’ll pay you $50.” The farmer said. The businessman thought about this, then he said, “OK. That’s fair. Who will go first?”

“I will,” The farmer said. “Here is my riddle. What has three legs when it walks, but only two legs when it flies?” The business man repeated the riddle, “What has three legs when it walks, but only two legs when it flies? Mm, that’s a good one. I’m afraid I don’t know the answer.” He gave the farmer $100, then said, “Tell me the answer. What has three legs when it walks, but only two legs when it flies? “I don’t know.” The farmer said and gave him $50.

When my friend Cathy sent me a text saying she didn’t think we could be friends anymore, I felt awful. We were close friends who saw each other both in and out of the office.

【小题1】 But as we were a two-person team, after lots of lunch breaks and late nights in the office, I realized our differences complemented (互补) each other. She was the person I could count on for sound advice.

And in the way life often is, when we both left the company, our friendship changed somehow. 【小题2】 I noticed the difference, but chalked it up to both of us being too busy. After all, some friendships fade.

So when Cathy called me out suggesting “we were good partners in the office, Mary, but maybe we aren’t a good fit outside of it”, I was shocked, and then ashamed. Because she was right, I had stopped being a real friend throughout the year.

I had two choices: go with what Cathy suggested or try to save our friendship. 【小题3】 So I put my pride in my pocket and apologized.

I started texting every week or so, about conversation topics like book recommendations,   the computer game she was playing, and writing festivals we were thinking of attending. 【小题4】 I initiated group outings. She met me halfway by being receptive to my invitations, and finally, we went out for one-on-one dinners.

Real friendships are hard work. You’ve got to make time to meet, keep in touch with texting, and remember little things like birthdays.【小题5】