Truncated Octahedron
As you know I am (PolygonPat) a well respected and
liked student. I am involved in heaps of school
activities, even venturing into the library occasionally.
just like famous people can have. When I arrive at
school each morning there is always someone
waiting to greet me, and at recess and lunchtime I
always have someone to sit with. I am never short of a
joke or some fun activity and you can be sure that
wherever l go I am part of the 'in' crowd.
Every day when I am in the school grounds time
seems to go so fast. Too fast to notice the huddled
figure on the benches in the furthest part of the play
ground. Too fast to see the lonely figure watching the
play around them but never being noticed enough to
join in. Too fast to notice the same person everyday
eating their lunch alone. Too fast to see the shoulders
slumped as this kid tries to hide the tears sliding  
down their cheeks. Too fast to even know their name.

One day I decided to go for a walk instead of playing
with my friends. Walking past this person I thought
nothing more of them. I took the same walking path
each day for a week and found the same kid sitting
alone, unnoticed and sad. On the Friday I took the
courage and sat down quietly beside this lonely kid
and started eating my lunch. Offering some cake was
enough to start a conversation.
"Whats your name?" "Truncated Octahedron". "Why do
you sit here alone every day?" "Because I have tried so
hard to make friends, but every time I do they find
someone better. So now its far easier having no
friends at all". "Don't you get bored?" " Yes, but I am so
lonely now that boredom doesn't makes me sad,
having no one to talk to does". I sighed, "Yes I
understand". "How? You always seem to have lots of
friends". "Yes,I am surrounded by kids, but that does
not mean that I have any real friends. When I try to be
serious and share some of my hurt no one seems to
be ever around to hear".
Timidly Truncated Octahedron said, "Maybe we could
be friends"? I replied, "Yes, you could come and meet
the kids I play with, and even if they ignore you I wont".
Quietly we both began walking towards the main part
of the school yard, even thinking the same thing I
guess. Finally I might just have made a real friend.

Help Truncated Octahedron form loads of new friends
and conquer the first hello by following the instructions
on the next page.
Story by Amelia