Fiction

If I Tell You My Name

by Megan Hughes
07/30/25
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Ari, the small lion, felt alone as he traveled in this unsettling part of the forest. He realized he hadn’t sung a melody since the Black Wind had carried him away from his beloved pride of lions. He remembered the song he had learned as a cub while he and the other lions made their daily trek to the waterfall. Ari sang that little song to lift his spirits.

Out of nowhere, an angry badger jumped out at him, ready to attack. “Strangers are not welcome in this forest, and how dare you sing!” This behavior shocked Ari, but he remembered, a soft answer turns away anger.

“I am a stranger. It is true, but if I tell you my name, I can be your friend.”

The badger blinked his eyes and then spoke, “I am an old, old badger. For years, I have been alone. Not one creature on the ground or in the air wanted to be my friend or even asked me my name.”

He bowed his head. “My days are few, and I would like to know what a friend is.”

The badger’s heart softened, and tears were in his eyes. He accepted Ari as his friend, and they were not alone anymore.

Loneliness causes people to feel empty and unwanted. We can also describe it as social pain. They may find it difficult to connect on a deeper level with others. They become isolated and defensive, as the badger was in the forest. If no one reaches out to them, they can even die before their time.

Who can you extend the gift of friendship to? Is there someone unapproachable, like the badger, that you can develop a relationship with? As you extend kindness and patience, this will help enlarge their hearts to accept love.

Reach out to someone who needs a friend. Don’t let their unfriendliness fool you. Use a soft answer to turn away their anger or insecurities. None of these precious ones should wither away in loneliness.

True friendship is a powerful gift to share. Who can you relieve today? It may start with asking someone, “What is your name?”

“I am lonely and afflicted; relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.” ~ Psalm 25:16-17
 
“Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy.” ~ Proverbs 27:9
 
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou