You are his first friend
I was told by his mother
The house  had an iron grill
Nobody was allowed inside
Only those who would not judge
The roof was leaking
A bucket was kept
To protect the floor
Made of mud
Yet they were good people
Full of faith and character
and hope
You both are like brothers
She told later
I brought books for him
I fought for him
Gave him whatever I could
Let him do things I could not
Fate took a different turn
He found success
I failure
One after another
in relationships and life
25 years on
when I had nobody to turn to
He came forward
with a helping hand
Without a word