WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR, ANYWAY?
Read the story and do the activities.Peter and Nick were born the same day, in the same town, and spent their first night of life together in the same hospital nursery. They grew uр two streets apart and went to the same elementary school. For thirteen years they were inseparable. "Like the Bobbsey Twins," Peter's grandmother said, over and over, "Just like the Bobbsey Twins. Except they're boys."
Then one day about a month ago, Nick moved away. His mother had taken a job in another city on the other side of the country. "You can fly out this summer," Nick's mother promised Peter. "It's a small world these days."
Peter's world, small or not, collapsed. He was lost without Nick. They did everything together. On the little league baseball team, Peter was the catcher, and Nick was the pitcher. Last Halloween Peter went in costume as Laurel and Nick as Hardy. Peter slept over at Nick's house as often as he slept in his own house and vice versa.
In the four weeks that Nick had been gone (four weeks, two days, and nine hours, to be exact), Peter spent most of his time after school at the mall. Everyone hung out there, including Harrison Smith.
Peter and Nick never talked to Harrison. Harrison was much older and had a bad reputation particularly among the parents. They thought he might be dealing in drugs. And they were right,
"Hey, Peter, what's happening?" Harrison was standing just outside Munchies with a bunch of other older boys. Most of them had dropped out of school. Nick had labeled them the Nashville Nothings.
"Not much," Peter answered. He was on his way into Munchies for a hamburger. Nick and he always stopped on Saturdays after practice and had a hamburger at Munchies.
"Then make it happen," Harrison said, walking over to Peter and putting his arm around his shoulder. Peter jerked away. "Hey, what's the matter? I'm just trying to cheer up."
"I'm not unhappy," Peter answered. "You don't need to cheer me up."
Harrison stood in front of Peter and blocked his way. "Look kid, I know you lost your best friend. That'd eat on anybody. I'm just offering some help - something to ease the pain." He held up a little plastic container filled with red pills and rattled it. "You've heard of pain killers, haven't you? That's all they do, my friend, kill the pain."
"Bug off," Peter said, looking Harrison straight in the eye. "I don't do drugs."
"Well, you know where to find me if you change your mind. Dr. Smith is always here to help. Office hours any time." Harrison walked slowly back to his group. "After all," he said over his shoulder, "what are friends for, anyway?"
Exercise 1
Circle the best answer. Do not look back at the story.1. Peter and Nick were
A. twins B. best friends C. brothers
2. They were
A. 12 years old B. older than Harrison C. 13 years old
3. Nick moved away because of
A. his mother's job B. his father's job
4. Peter and Nick played
A. football B. often C. baseball
5. For Halloween they were
A. the Bobbsey Twins B. clowns C. Laurel and Hardy
6. Hick had been gone
A. a month B. more than a month C. less than a month
7. Peter spent time at
A. school B. practice C. the mall D. all of these
8. His favorite restaurant was
A. Munchies B. Nashville Nothing C. Smiths
9. Harrison wanted
A. a new friend B. to be Peter's friend C. to sell drugs to Peter D. to cheer Peter up
Exercise 2
Write your answers to the following questions on a separate sheet.-
1. Put yourself in Peter's place. Pretend another week has passed and Harrison approaches you again. Write what you would say to him.
2. What do you think Peter should do about Harrison? Should he report him or mind his own business?
3. What should you do if someone approaches you and offers to sell you drugs?
4. List at least five things Peter could do to cheer himself up. Think about what you would do if you needed cheering up.
5. What are friends for, anyway? List at least five definitions of a friend.
6. Would a true friend offer you drugs? Explain.