Characters:
HELEN: Thoughtful, a bit shy, values deep friendship.
RAJ: Funny, talkative, always making jokes.
GRACE: Practical, honest, supportive.
Setting: It’s lunchtime at the community center. Helen, Raj, and Grace are sitting at a table, eating together.
(SCENE START)
HELEN: (quietly) You know, sometimes I wonder… What is a good friend really like?
RAJ: (grinning) That’s easy! A good friend always laughs at your jokes, even if they’re terrible. Like mine!
GRACE: (smiling) Oh, come on, Raj. I think a good friend is honest with you, even if it’s not what you want to hear.
HELEN: I agree, Grace. It’s important to be honest. But I also think a good friend listens when you need to talk. Not everyone does that.
RAJ: Listening? That’s true. Grace is a great listener. And you too, Helen. Last week, when I was upset about my exam, you both listened to me complain for a whole hour!
GRACE: Of course, Raj! Friends help each other, even if we just listen. But I also think a good friend supports you. For example, when you started your new job, we celebrated together.
HELEN: Yes, I really appreciated that. I was nervous, but having you both there made me feel strong.
RAJ: And don’t forget—good friends keep secrets! Remember my “secret” birthday party? Helen didn’t tell anyone, not even her sister.
GRACE: (teasing) That’s true. Helen is trustworthy. But, Raj, you almost ruined the surprise yourself!
RAJ: (laughing) Okay, maybe I did! But that’s another thing—a good friend can laugh with you, and also at you, but in a nice way.
HELEN: That’s so important! I think a good friend makes you feel happy and comfortable. You can be yourself.
GRACE: Exactly. A good friend isn’t perfect, but they care. They call when you’re sad, and they remember things that are important to you.
RAJ: And they share food. (Reaches over to steal a french fry from Grace’s plate.)
GRACE: (laughs, pretending to be angry) Hey! Only because you’re my friend.
HELEN: (smiling) I feel lucky to have both of you as my friends.
RAJ: Me too! So, do you both want to go to the park after lunch?
GRACE: Sure! That sounds nice.
HELEN: Let’s go. Good friends spend time together, right?
RAJ: Right! And maybe you’ll both laugh at my next terrible joke.
GRACE: (smiling) We’ll see, Raj. But you’re still our friend.
(They all laugh and gather their things, happy to be together as the scene ends.)
(SCENE END)