Patience in Building Friends

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Patience in Building Friends

Priya was a new student at a school in Delhi and she was excited about making new friends there. Only a few weeks ago, she had moved to a new neighborhood in South Delhi. And now, she was ready to meet her classmates and become part of the group. 

But… things were not going the way she was hoping for.

Priya tried very hard to make everyone like her. She talked a lot, told jokes, and always wanted to be the center of attention. 

She thought that if she made people laugh, they would want to be her friend. But no matter how hard she tried, her classmates were not as interested as she was.

Struggle to Fit In

Priya’s plan was not working. Some classmates smiled at her, but no one seemed interested in spending time with her. During lunch and recess, the other children played together, but Priya usually found herself sitting alone. She felt confused— Why was nobody reacting how she expected?

That evening, Priya sat at the kitchen table and felt sad. Her mother was cooking dinner, but she noticed Priya’s quiet mood.

“Is something wrong, Priya?” her mother asked.

“I don’t think the kids at school like me,” Priya said. “I try so hard to make them laugh, but I don’t think that they want to be my friends. What am I doing wrong?”

Mom’s Advice

Her mother stopped cooking and turned to her daughter. She gave Priya a kind smile and said, “Sweetheart, making friends does not happen immediately. True friendships take time to grow.”

Priya looked at her mom with a confused face. “But I want friends now. I don’t want to wait.”

Her mother sat down next to her and held her hand. She said, “I understand, Priya. But think about a tree. A tree does not grow in one day. You have to plant the seed, water it, and wait for it to grow. Friendships are also like that. You can’t rush them. People need time to know and trust you.”

Priya listened carefully. She never thought about friendships that way before. “So… what should I do?” she asked. 

Her mother responded. “Just be yourself. Be kind. Listen to others. Give them time, and they will give you their friendship.”

Trying Something Different

The next day at school, Priya decided to try something new. Instead of talking too much or trying to be funny all the time, she sat quietly with a group of girls at lunch. She listened to their conversation and smiled when they spoke. She showed them that she cared about what they had to say.

Over the next few days, Priya continued to be patient. Slowly, her classmates started to feel more comfortable with her and talking to her more. They invited her to join their games during lunch break, and they started asking her questions too.

Priya felt so happy. She finally understood that making friends was not about trying too hard. It was about being patient and letting friendships grow naturally.

Lesson Learned

One afternoon, as Priya walked home with her new friends, she thought about what her mother had said. She looked at the big trees in the park. They had grown tall, but it must have taken years for them to reach that height.

Friendships were the same. You could not make them happen in a single day. But if you were patient, kind, and willing to listen, they would grow into something strong and beautiful. Yes, friendships take time, but that is what makes them so special.


Q: Why was Priya excited to start school in Delhi?
A: Priya wanted to make new friends and be part of a group.

Q: What problem did Priya have at school?
A: Priya tried to be funny and friendly, but her classmates were not really interested in spending time with her.

Q: What advice did Priya’s mother give her?
A: Priya’s mother told her that friendships take time to grow, like a tree. Her mother also told her that she should be patient, kind, and listen to others.

Q: How did Priya change the way she made friends?
A: Priya stopped trying too hard to be funny and started listening and caring about what others said.

Q: What happened when Priya became more patient?
A: Priya’s classmates felt more comfortable with her and started inviting her to play and talk.

Patience Game

Activity:
In this game, kids will practice being patient by sitting quietly with their eyes closed for two minutes. During this time, they need to focus on listening to all the sounds around them—whether it’s the sound of a clock ticking, birds chirping, or cars passing by. After the two minutes, they’ll share what they heard.

Why it’s fun:
This game helps kids learn the importance of being patient and staying calm. It also helps them practice listening closely, which can make waiting for something more fun. It shows that good things, like friendships, take time to grow.

Products:
A quiet room, a timer or clock, and a comfy chair or spot to sit.

How it Works:

Find a quiet spot in your home where there are no distractions.
Set a timer for two minutes and ask your child to sit comfortably with their eyes closed.
Tell them to listen carefully to all the sounds around them, like birds outside or the sound of their breathing.
When the timer goes off, ask your child what sounds they heard and how it felt to wait patiently for the time to pass.
Talk about how waiting for the timer is like how friendships take time to grow, just like Priya learned in her story.