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Be A Friend

In this episode, Be a Friend by Edgar Guest . . .

Yes, we all know that on April Fools' Day it's an annual custom to play jokes and pranks on people.

These pranksters often reveal their actions by shouting, "April Fools!"

Did you know, April 1st is not a public holiday in any country except Cyprus, it's a national holiday (though not for April Fools' Day but instead for a holiday called "Cyprus National Day"), and Odesa, Ukraine where April 1st is an official city holiday.

In the United States, the custom of setting aside a day for playing harmless pranks upon one's neighbor what follows is a reminder to be a friend.

Be A Friend

Be a friend you don't need money,

Just a disposition sunny.

Just the wish to help another

Get along some way or other.


Just a kindly hand extended

Out to one who's unbefriended,

Just the will to give or lend,

This will make you someone's friend.

 

Be a friend. You don't need glory.

Friendship is a simple story.

Pass by trifling errors blindly,

Gaze on honest effort kindly,

Cheer the youth who's bravely trying,

Pity him who's sadly sighing.

Just a little labor spend

On the duties of a friend.

 

Be a friend. The pay is bigger

(Though not written by a figure)

Then it is earned by people's clever

In what's merely self-endeavor.

You'll have friends instead of neighbors

For the profits of your labors.

You'll be richer in the end,

Then a Prince, if you're a friend.


No foolin’!


I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening; see you in the next episode.

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