The Friend Who Changed a Lonely Man’s Life

The Two Friends of the Mountain Village

BY: Ubaid

Far away in a mountainous region, there was a small village. In that village lived two friends, Man and Fan. Though they had grown up together and shared many memories, their lives and personalities had taken very different paths. Man lived high on the mountain peak, while Fan made his home at the foot of the mountain.

Man was a quiet, serious man who preferred solitude. He avoided company, never visited anyone’s house, and never invited anyone to his own. While the other men of the village gathered at the tea house in the evenings to chat, laugh, and share stories after their work, Man stayed away. He would be seen either working silently in his fields or walking quickly through the lanes, eyes lowered, avoiding conversations. People had come to believe that he was the saddest man in the world.

Fan, however, was the opposite. Living at the base of the mountain, he was a cheerful, sociable man. He loved meeting people, attending their gatherings, and inviting them to his own celebrations. His laughter was well known in the village. When he noticed that Man was becoming more and more withdrawn, refusing to meet anyone, Fan grew concerned. He began to think of a way to help his old friend.

After many days of thought, Fan devised a plan. One pleasant spring morning, carrying a basket of fruits from his garden, he knocked on Man’s door. When Man opened the door, surprise filled his eyes.

“Peace be upon you,” Fan said warmly, handing him the basket. “Since you never come to visit me, I thought I would come myself. These are fresh fruits from my orchard.”

Reluctantly, Man invited him inside. They sat together. Fan tried to make small talk, but Man spoke very little. Finally, Fan asked, “Are you ill?”

“No,” Man replied softly.

“Then why do you look so gloomy all the time? Come with me to the bazaar. I heard the cloth seller has brought fine fabric for the winter.”

Unwilling but unable to refuse, Man joined him. Fan bought clothes for himself and insisted on buying a set for Man too. Though Man protested, Fan would not take no for an answer. They parted with smiles that day.

A few days later, Fan returned again, this time carrying a net and a stick, pretending to search for something in the bushes near Man’s house. He knocked loudly and shouted, “Man! Come quickly! I just saw a strange bird with blue wings, a green body, and red eyes. It flew this way. Let’s find it together!”

Startled from his nap, Man rushed out barefoot, thinking some calamity had struck the village. When he saw Fan laughing heartily at his panic, he grew angry and turned back, but Fan grabbed his arm.

“Oh friend, sleeping during the day does not suit a young man!” Fan teased.

Together, they wandered into the nearby forest searching for the mysterious bird. They never found it, but while walking and talking, Man’s mood brightened. Later, they sat on the grass as Fan pulled out flatbread and pickles from his bag.

“You came prepared!” Man remarked.

“I plan everything,” Fan replied with a wink.

They ate, laughed, and Fan gently suggested, “You should marry, Man.”

“I’m fine as I am,” Man said, avoiding the subject.

Fan let the matter rest, realizing his friend wasn’t ready.

Some time later, Fan arrived with a large box, announcing joyfully, “Today is my birthday! I’ve completed twenty-five years of life. Come, celebrate with me!”

Man smiled faintly and congratulated him. But he couldn’t resist pointing out, “Didn’t you celebrate a birthday just a few months ago?”

“That was my wedding anniversary,” Fan laughed. “Now stop arguing, bring me a knife for the cake. And don’t be stingy—I expect a gift from you, even if it’s just a chicken’s feather!”

For the first time in years, Man laughed loudly. They cut the cake, shared stories of their childhood, and remembered the time when they had once mistaken a mad, homeless woman for a witch in the forest.

Days went by. Sometimes Fan visited Man, but sometimes he cleverly invited Man to his own house. One day he sent a message through a peddler climbing the mountain: “My son has come first in his class. We are having a small celebration. He says it will not be complete without his uncle Man.”

At first, Man sighed, unwilling to attend. But eventually he dressed carefully, bought a gift for the boy, and went. Surrounded by laughter and company, he found himself enjoying the gathering more than he expected. Even afterward, he felt cheerful remembering it.

Then one morning, he received a message: “My friend, I am very ill. I think my last moment has come. My only wish is that you be by my side when I leave this world.”

Panic-stricken, Man dressed in such haste that he got stuck in his shirt. Calling out for help, he finally freed himself with a neighbor’s assistance. He wore mismatched socks, carried one shoe in his hand, and stumbled down the mountain. An old woman saw his disheveled state and shouted from her window, “Is your roof falling down, or are you running to get married?”

When he reached Fan’s house, he found Fan lying on the bed, groaning dramatically. Man sat by him, holding his hand.

“What sickness has struck you, my friend?” he asked.

“I fear to even name it,” Fan whispered. “Once, half the world perished from it.”

But when dinner was served, the table was filled with rich food, sweets, and fruits. Fan ate heartily. Only later did Man discover his friend merely had a common cold.

Despite such tricks, Fan’s companionship began to work wonders. Slowly, Man changed. He started meeting people, attending village gatherings, and even inviting others to his home. One day, shy and hesitant, he finally confessed to Fan, “I wish to marry.”

Fan’s joy knew no bounds. “At last! I have waited so long to hear this. Don’t worry—I’ll ask my wife to help find you the best bride.”

Soon after, Man’s wedding was celebrated with great festivity. The entire village joined in, and Fan decorated his house with his own hands. Even the old storyteller woman gave a long speech, reminding everyone of the day she had seen Man rushing down the mountain in a ridiculous state—proof, she claimed, that he was destined to marry soon. Everyone laughed and cheered.

From then on, Man and his wife lived happily. And as for the two friends, they remained as close as ever. Even today, whenever they meet, they laugh heartily, remembering the past and the clever tricks through which one friend transformed the other’s life.