It is really a happy thing to look back on the days I spent with Jennie. We met in night school. After Jennie and I had completed the required courses, we started teaching in the same school. For a time we were just casual friends, but one day, when I was telling Jennie about my problem son, we discovered we were kindred   spirits. "He's a difficult little character," I explained. Jennie looked thoughtful. "Maybe you're only seeing him with your eyes." She was silent for a moment and then added softly, "It is only with the heart that one sees rightly." I stared at her. "You're quoting   that! It's from The Little Prince, Saint-Exupery's book for children, one of my favorites. You know it, too?" Jennie nodded. "I love it. I've read it so often. I've practically memorized it." Now, when I think of Jennie, I recall that book because Jennie --more than anyone I know --possessed the gift of seeing with the heart. From that moment of a treasured book shared, our friendship grew steadily. It wasn't that I didn't have an excellent relationship with my husband and son, but my mother had died shortly after my marriage, and I had neither sisters nor daughters. I realize, now, how I needed someone to share those little, seemingly unimportant things that add so much to life --things that must be shared to be fully appreciated. And it was Jennie who helped me with my fourth-grade problem child. One day I was at my wit's end. "What he needs is a good beating!" I exploded. "He's probably had plenty of those," Jennie said. "Maybe he just needs sincere praise for anything he does right, and a hug or two each day." I followed this suggestion, and eventually, because of Jennie, I discovered a lovable little boy. Looking back, I have to admit that she taught me so much. The days I spent with her has become one of my happiest memories. How did the author and Jennie's friendship grow?
They both were interested in children's education. They both liked a novel, The Little Prince. They often chatted together about their families. They both worked in the same school.