7. Taking Hold of Hands (a story)
A country girl was on her way to school with her little neighbors. The school bell was ringing and they must climb the hill. It was winter and the path was icy; to slip backward was easier than to climb forward. Then this little maid turned to lead and encourage the group, calling cheerily, “Let’s take hold of hands, it’s easier taking hold of hands.”

Our life is an adventure in comradeship which calls for the taking hold of hands. All growth in understanding involves sharing in the understanding which other people have won. We are highly privileged if we can join hands with them and share what they have learned through costly experience.

But we should remember always that we must give as well as receive. For, much as we need the experience of others, it is equally true that others need the experience which we have won and which we alone can give.

8. The Legend of the Sticks
(Need to have prepared beforehand a bunch of sticks (may be spray-painted silver or gold, enough for one for each girl, plus enough sayings about friendship for one for each girl)

Once, a group of friends were having an argument. They made so much commotion that Sally, the older sister of one of the girls, cam over to see what was the matter. She listened quietly as each one accused the other. “She’s not being fair”, said one. “It’s my turn”, said another. “No, it’s my turn”, said another.

As Sally listened, she began to stoop down and pick up some sticks that were lying on the ground. Finally, the friends, grew quiet and were watching her. Sally then gathered all the sticks together in a bundle and tied them together with a string. She handed the bundle to each girl. “Can you break this bundle of sticks?”, she asked. Each girl, in turn, tried to break the bundle, but not one of them could.

Then Sally untied the bundle and seperated the sticks. To each friend, she gave one stick. “Now”, she said, “see if you cna each break a single stick.” Of course, the single sticks snapped in two with only the slightest effort.

“All of us are like these sticks”, Sally said. “Each one of us, standing alone, is weak. Each one of us can be broken as easily as a single stick. Yet, all of us, working together, can be as strong as this whole bunch of sticks - so strong that nothing can break us.”

(Each girl then comes forward and picks up one stick. After doing so, she reads a little saying about friendship and friends - some examples follow)

Let us keep the memories and friendship of today until we come together on another day
More precious than silver and gold are friends - both new and old
Friendship is one mind in two bodies
A friend is someone you can trust
The only way to have a friend is to be one

(Girls then return to their places with their sticks. The leader then goes around and picks up each girl’s stick placing them into a bundle and tying them securely. “Now we are again one strong troop working together”)