Dear Baya,

We’ve always been friends. But what is a friend and how can we stay friends over the years ahead?

    I really do have problems with friends. My best friends turn against me. People I don’t like want me to be their friend. This set me wondering where friendship came from. Is it an old thing? And do we find it in all societies? I’ve heard that in many places people have patrons (whatever they are) rather than friends.

    Are English friends different from your Nepalese friends – and can family also be friends? What does it mean to be a ‘boy friend’ and if we marry can we still be friends?

      Why is it so great to have good friends? And if it is so important, how best can we treat people so that they become and remain real friends?

      We’re always talking about friendship in particular cases, but I can’t find anyone to tell me about friendship more generally. When I ask my teachers they seem unable to explain what is behind it. And though most books describe friendship in action; they don’t analyse it.

      How can a grandpa and a little girl be friends, as we were? And what have you found about friendship in your travels? Do let me know.

Lots of love,

P.S. I’ve heard someone say that the English don’t have friends, they only have friends about things. Is that why you were always thinking of things for us to do together – projects, expeditions, treasure hunts and things?