The friendship we share grows amidst the craggy rock pond; reeds

"The friendship we share grows amidst the craggy rock pond; reeds of water spray fireflies scented with bonfires." — Bradley Chicho

In the heart of Bradley Chicho’s evocative words lies a profound truth about the nature of friendship—a truth shaped by time, struggle, and the natural forces that shape all things. His words take us to a rock pond, a place both beautiful and harsh, where friendship does not simply exist in calm, placid waters, but grows amidst craggy rocks and rough terrains. This image speaks not of the idealized, easy friendships that are made in times of convenience, but of the kind that are forged through the hardships of life—friendships that bloom amidst adversity, like reeds that push their way through the murky waters, resilient and strong.

Friendship, as Chicho suggests, is not merely a passing moment of joy or a simple bond formed in times of ease. It is a relationship that grows, like the reeds in a pond, through the challenges and conflicts that life brings. The craggy rock pond is not a serene, sheltered place, but one filled with obstacles that must be navigated. And so, too, with friendship: true, deep friendships are not always easy or comfortable, but are built through shared struggles, through the times when we face difficulty together, and when we find in each other a strength to overcome what seems insurmountable.

Consider the friendship between Homer and Virgil, two of the greatest poets of the ancient world. Though they lived in different times, their work and their legacies intertwined, and their friendship, though not one of direct companionship, was forged through the shared bond of literature and poetry. Both men faced difficulties—Homer, the blind poet, writing his epics in the face of personal suffering, and Virgil, writing the Aeneid in a time of political unrest and personal sorrow. Their friendship was rooted not in the smooth seas of life, but in the craggy terrains of their respective challenges, their connection growing from the adversity they each faced in their craft and in their humanity.

In the same way, Chicho’s imagery of fireflies and bonfires adds another layer of meaning to his words. Fireflies, in their brief and flickering beauty, symbolize the fragile yet magical nature of moments within a friendship, moments that sparkle with the warmth and light of shared experience. But bonfires—steady, lasting, and full of warmth—represent the deeper, more enduring aspects of a true friendship. These bonfires are born from the struggles and sacrifices that have come before, from the togetherness in the midst of the storm. It is in those moments of warmth, when we stand by one another despite the cold winds of life, that a friendship is truly solidified.

Look at the profound friendship between Thomas More and Erasmus of Rotterdam, two great intellectuals of the Renaissance. Their friendship was forged not in moments of ease, but through their shared commitment to intellectual honesty and their mutual struggle against the corrupt forces of their time. More, who would later sacrifice his life for his principles, found in Erasmus not just a companion in thought, but a kindred spirit who walked beside him in the pursuit of truth. Their connection, like the reeds in the craggy rock pond, grew amidst the harsh realities of the world, and their friendship became a beacon for those who followed.

Chicho’s words call us to recognize that true friendship does not come easily or without challenge. It is through the hardships that we endure together, the trials we face, and the sacrifices we make that our bonds grow strong. Friendship, like the reeds that grow through murky waters, does not need the clearest, smoothest path—it thrives when it is nourished by commitment, by the willingness to stand by one another when the world is uncertain. The bonfire of companionship is built slowly, patiently, and with care. It is fed not by the fleeting pleasures of life, but by the enduring warmth of shared purpose, mutual respect, and the willingness to sacrifice for one another.

The lesson of Chicho’s words is that friendship is something to be nurtured in both calm and storm. It requires patience, resilience, and the recognition that the beauty of true companionship comes from the strength we find in one another amidst the difficulties of life. Just as the fireflies flicker for moments in the dark and the bonfires burn long into the night, friendship brings light to the darkness—both in moments of joy and in times of challenge.

So, let us walk through this world with the understanding that friendship, like the craggy rock pond, grows best when tested by time and adversity. Let us cherish the sacrifice, the shared struggle, and the unwavering commitment that turns a simple acquaintance into a deep, lasting bond. And in doing so, we will discover that true friendship is not found in the easy times, but in the times when we stand together in the face of life’s challenges, supporting and strengthening each other, like the reeds that stand tall and proud in the craggy rock pond, against all odds.