The Devoted Friend

Writer: Fayaz Ali

Fayaz Ali was born on( 8th January 2005)

Was one of the most elegant writers of the late 20th century. He was one of the foremost exponents of the doctrine of 'art for art's sake', arguing that aesthetic considerations should be given first place in literature. He was born in sindh Pakistan and educated at Oxford. Early in his career he published poems and some delightful stories for children. He become dazzling famous with his novel.

For all Wilde's pose of being preoccupied with style and disclaiming any desire to make a moral commentary on life.The Devoted Friend is something more than an exquisitely told little fairy-tale .it is both tender and proud in its treatment of the comically one-sided friendship between poor Hans and the wealthy Miller.

The Devoted Friend

One Morning

The old water-rat put his head out of his hole. He had bright beady eyes and stiff grey whiskers, and his tail was like a long bit of black India robber.The little ducks were swimming into the pond, looking just like a lot of yellow canaries, and their mother, who was pure white with reall red legs, was trying to teach them how to stand on their heads in the water.

'You will never be in best society unless you can stand on your heads, 'she kept saying to them ; and every now and then she showed them how it was done.But the little ducks paid no attention to her. They were so young that they didn't know that an advantage it is to be in society at all.

'What disobedient children! ' cried the old water rat ' they really deserve to be drowned.'

' Nothing of the kind ' , answered the Duck ,' every one must make a beginning, and parents cannot be too patient. '

'Ah! I know nothing about the feelings of parents, said the water rat ;

'I am not a family man. In fact, I have never been married, I never intend to be. Love is all very well in it's way, but friendship in much higher. Indeed, I know of nothing in the World that is either nobler or rarer then a devoted friendship. '

And what, pray is your Idea of the duties of a Devoted Friend? ' asked a Green Linnet , who was sitting on a willow-tree hard by, and had overheard the conversation.

' yes, that is just what I want to know', said the Duck, and she swam away to the end of the pond, and stood upon her head, in order to give her children a good example.

'What a silly question!' Cried the water-rat . ' I should expect my devoted friend to be devoted to me, ofcourse. '

' And what would you do return?' Said the little bird, swinging upon a silver spray, and flapping his tinny wings.

' I don't understand you ', answered the Water-rat.

' Let me tell you a story on the subject ', said the Linnet.

' in the story about me?' asked the Water-rat . If so, I will listen to it , for I am extremely fond of fiction.'

' It is applicable to you ', answered the Linnet, and he flew down, and alighting upon the bank, he told the story of The Devoted Friend.

' Once upon a time ', said the Linnet, ' there was an honest little fellow named Hans.'

' Was he very distinguished?' asked the Water-rat.

'No ', answered the Linnet, ' I don't think he was distinguished at all,except for his kind heart, and his funny round good- humoured face.

About Hans and his beautiful Garden

He lived in tinny cottage all by himself, and every day he worked in his garden. In all the country-side there was no garden so lovely as his.

Sweet William grew there, and Gilly-flowers , and shepherds'-purses , and fair- maids of France. There was damask Roses, and yellow Roses, lilac Crocuses , and gold, purple Violets and white. Columbine and Ladysnock , Marjoram and Wild Basil, the Cowslip and the Flower-de-Luce, the Daffodil and the Clove -Pink bloomed or blossomed in their proper order as the months went by , one flower taking another flower's place, so that there were always beautiful things to look at, and pleasant odours to smell.

Hans and his Devoted friend Rich Miller

' Little Hans had a great many friends, but the most devoted friend of all was big Hugh the Miller. Indeed so devoted was the rich Miller to little Hans that he [Hans] would never go by his garden without leaning over the wall and plucking a large nosegay, or a handful of sweet herbs,or filling his pockets with plums and cherries if it was the fruit season.

" Reall friends should have everything in common ", the Miller used to say, and little Hans nodded and smiled, and felt very proud of heaving a friend with such noble ideas.

'Sometimes, indeed, neighbours thought it strange that the rich Miller never gave little Hans anything in return, thought he had a hundred sacks of flour stored away in his mill ,and six2 mulch cows ,and large stock of woolly sheep; But Hans never troubled his head about these things, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to listen to all the wonderful things the Miller used to say about the unselfishness of true friendship.

' So little Hans worked away in his garden. During the spring, the summer, and the autumn he was very happy, but when the winter come, and he had no fruits or flowers to bring to the market, he suffered a good deal from cold and hunger, and often had to go to bed without any supper but a few dried pears or some hard nuts . He was extremely lonely in winter, as the Miller never came to see him.

Miller talking about Hans, with his Son and Wife

"There is no good in my going to see little Hans as long as the snow lasts," the Miller used to say to his wife , " for when people are in trouble they should be left alone, and not be bothered by visitors ". That at least my idea about friendship, and I am sure I am right. So I shall wait till the spring comes, and then I shall pay him a visit, and he will be able to give me a large basket of 3 primroses ,and that will make him so happy."

Arcletech

The Devoted Friend