The Berenstain Bears Faithful Friends (3 page)

“Lizzy and your friends were here looking for you,” Brother said. “I told them you were playing with Suzy. Lizzy didn't seem very happy.”

“That Lizzy Bruin!” said Sister, annoyed. “What business is it of hers who I play with?”

 

“I guess she's jealous,” said Brother.

“Jealous?” said Sister, puzzled.

“Sure,” said Brother. “She's been your best friend for years. You mean a lot to her. She's just worried that maybe you don't like her as much as you used to.”

“Oh,” said Sister, “that's silly!” It was true that she liked her new friend, Suzy. But Lizzy would always be her best friend.

 

“What should I do?” Sister wondered.

Cousin Fred spoke up. “You know what the Bible says: ‘Wounds from a friend can be trusted.'” Fred liked to memorize things.

“Huh?” said both Sister and Brother. “What does that mean?”

 

Suzy answered—she liked to memorize things too. “I think it means that when a friend who loves you hurts your feelings, you need to find out what is bothering her.”

“Yes,” Fred nodded. “And the Bible also says that we shouldn't stay angry with our friends. God wants us to make up with them if we have an argument.”

“Oh,” said Sister, thoughtfully.

 

“I have an idea,” said Brother. “Fred and I were about to go fishing. Why don't we grab some extra fishing gear and go over to Lizzy's? We can see if they would all like to go fishing with us.”

“Great!” said Sister. Suzy grinned.

So they all stopped by Lizzy's garage on their way to the fishing hole.

 

“Hey, Lizzy!” called Sister. “Do you and Anna and Millie want to go fishing with us?”

Lizzy acted like she wasn't so sure. But Anna and Millie were all for it, and Lizzy certainly didn't want to be left out.

Soon, they were all down at the fishing hole. Lizzy cast her line out into the middle of the pond and got her line into a terrible tangle.

 

“Here, let me help you, Lizzy,” said Sister, taking her fishing rod. “I'll untangle it for you.”

“Wow, thanks!” said Lizzy. “You're a real friend, Sister.”

 

“I always have been and I always will be!” said Sister, giving Lizzy a hug.

And together they picked away at the tangled fishing line.

About the Publisher

Founded in 1931, Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Zondervan, a division of HarperCollinsPublishers, is the leading international Christian communications company, producing best-selling Bibles, books, new media products, a growing line of gift products and award-winning children's products. The world's largest Bible publisher, Zondervan (www.zondervan.com) holds exclusive publishing rights to the New International Version of the Bible and has distributed more than 150 million copies worldwide. It is also one of the top Christian publishers in the world, selling its award-winning books through Christian retailers, general market bookstores, mass merchandisers, specialty retailers, and the Internet. Zondervan has received a total of 68 Gold Medallion awards for its books, more than any other publisher.

Share Your Thoughts

With the Author:
Your comments will be forwarded to
the author when you send them to
[email protected]
.

With Zondervan:
Submit your review of this book
by writing to
[email protected]
.

Free Online Resources at
www.zondervan.com

	Zondervan Author Tracker: Be notified whenever your favorite authors publish new books, go on tour, or post an update about what's happening in their lives.
	Daily Bible Verses and Devotions: Enrich your life with daily Bible verses or devotions that help you start every morning focused on God.
	Free Email Publications: Sign up for newsletters on fiction, Christian living, church ministry, parenting, and more.
	Zondervan Bible Search: Find and compare Bible passages in a variety of translations at www.zondervanbiblesearch.com.
	Other Benefits: Register yourself to receive online benefits like coupons and special offers, or to participate in research.