"A Friend

Author Unknown

Dear Mom and Dad,

The war is over, my task is through. But Mom there is something I must ask of you. I have a friend, oh such, a friend . . . he has no home you see . . .

My Son, »

Of course we don’t mind if some- one comes home with you. I’m sure he can stay with us . . . a day or so or two

But Mother, .

You don’t understand . . . what I’m trying to say . . . I want him to live with us for as long as he may . . . But

Mom, I must tell you something . . . Pleasexdon’t be alarmed . . . My friend was in a battle and just happened to lose an arm.

My Son,

Don’t be afraid to bring him home, he can stay forever, at least a week or two or so . . . ‘ /

But Mom,

He's not - iust a friend, he’s a brother too. That is why I want him to stay and be a son to you. But before you give an answer there is something I must say. My friend iust fought a battle in which he lost a leg . . .

My Son,

lt hurts me to say, but the answer must be “NO,” your father and I have no time for a boy who’s crippled so .\ . .

So . months later a letter came, saying theim had died. When they looked ’at the cause of death the letter

_ said “suicide.”

Sometime later when the casket came, draped with the country’s flag, they saw their son lying there without an arm or leg.