Friendship — Class 8 English (Samacheer Kalvi)
TN State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 8 English, Prose 6. A story about a friendship that lasts a lifetime.
1. About the lesson
Friendship tells the story of two close friends, Vetri and Asif, to show what true friendship really means.
2. Summary
On the first day of school, little Vetri cried when his parents left him. Asif comforted him with a chocolate and became his first friend. The two stayed together — they played, shared food and helped each other in their studies. Even their healthy competition never spoiled their friendship.
Years later, Vetri faced problems in his business and decided to meet Asif. Though he felt nervous, Asif saw him on the CCTV, came out warmly to receive him, talked lovingly, took him home for lunch and dropped him at the railway station. Asif's warmth showed that their friendship had survived time, distance and difficulty.
3. Theme
The lesson shows that real friendship is built on kindness, support, trust, shared memories and affection — not on wealth, success or status. Genuine friendship survives time and life's difficulties.
4. Glossary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| console | to comfort someone who is sad |
| healthy competition | friendly rivalry without ill-will |
| nervous | worried or anxious |
| receive | to welcome someone |
| affection | warm liking or love |
5. Book-back questions (Samacheer Kalvi)
A. Read and answer
- When did Vetri and Asif become friends? — On the first day of school.
- How did Asif console the crying Vetri? — By giving him a chocolate.
- What did the two friends do together? — They played, shared food and helped each other in studies.
- Why did Vetri want to meet Asif years later? — Because he was facing problems in his business.
- How did Asif receive Vetri? — Warmly — he came out, talked lovingly, took him home for lunch and dropped him at the station.
B. Think and answer 6. Did their competition harm their friendship? — No, their healthy competition never affected their bond. 7. What is the main message of the lesson? — True friendship is built on kindness and trust, and survives time and difficulty.
6. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Saying Vetri comforted Asif on the first day. Fix: Asif comforted the crying Vetri with a chocolate.
- Mistake: Thinking competition spoiled their friendship. Fix: Their competition was healthy and never harmed their bond.
- Mistake: Missing the theme. Fix: Real friendship rests on kindness and trust, not wealth or status.
7. Quick revision
- Prose 6 · Friendship (Vetri and Asif).
- They became friends on the first day of school (Asif's chocolate comforted Vetri).
- They played, shared and studied together; healthy competition never spoiled their bond.
- Years later, Asif warmly received Vetri who faced business problems.
- Theme: true friendship rests on kindness and trust and survives time and difficulty.
