brother. But having friends is at one’s own discretion and will. That means friendship is a spiritual need and is an evident indication of human personality and freedom.

It is the man’s internal wishes and his inner “self” that motivate him to have a friend or friends. The human soul looks for a fellow that shares the same thoughts, same fate, same inclinations and character as him. As such, a friend is the inner “self” of the person who seeks a friend. For as soon as one feels that he has matured as a person one starts seeking an individual close to him. Those who succeed in finding such people are happy. Just as one rarely comes across real love, so does one rarely find real friendship. Making friends, being friends to others is a rarely accomplished task.

There is a story full of examples that is about how the Türkmen values his brother:

Once a family had to escape from the enemy. But there was one horse to ride in the attempt, it would be able to carry a limited number of people to a limited distance.

Then the young man thought and took his brother first to the horse, and escaped the enemy, and saved all his family so, as the story goes.

Only brothers can understand their mutual values, and the one who gave birth to them.

If parents die, among the remaining children the oldest in age replaces the parents. He is to raise all the other children, help them be educated, marry and socialize. I remember reciting the following lines when I was a child:

O my brother, o my brother

Whose head is high, upright brother,

Fights against the enemy together