Friends are like walking sticks. Let me explain.

Say life is a mountain. Your purpose is to get to the top. You walk and you walk and you walk, but a lot of temptations arise, and you fall. You seem to make no progress. There are spider webs everywhere. You slip in the loose soil, you hurt your feet on the rocks, you lose your balance crossing a stream. You fall again and again. Soon you are exhausted and you are about to give up, but there! What is that? A walking stick! Yes it is. You pick it up and begin again. This time the walking stick is there in your hand. When you are in the loose soil, the stick digs in and holds you up. When you cross the rocks it takes most of the weight. When you cross the stream, it gives you support. You go farther, faster. It is there with you always. Yes you still fall at times, but not near as much. You might run into spider webs, but you can beat them back. You might find dark caves, but you can feel your way. No matter what comes your way, you have your trusty walking stick in your hand, supporting you all the way.