I'm Rebecca Sheer here.

Before we get to today's story, I'd like to invite you to join the Circle Round Club.

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Produced by the iLap at WBOR Boston.

When you think about being a good friend, what does that mean to you?

Maybe it means saving a space for a buddy on the bus or helping out when a pal is sad or

has a problem.

Maybe it just means having a whole lot of fun together.

And today's story will meet two women who prize friendship above all else until that

friendship is tested by an unexpected discovery.

I'm Rebecca Sheer and welcome to Circle Round, where story time happens all the time.

Today our tale is called the Friendship Orchard.

This story originally comes from Kazakhstan in Central Asia.

Some really great people came together to bring you our tale, including two favorites from

NPR, Linda Worthheimer and Susan Stamberg.

So Circle Round everyone for the Friendship Orchard.

Veronica and Victoria were as close as two friends could be.

Ever since they were little, they vowed they'd always look out for each other.

And even now, with their hair silver and their hands weathered with age, the women had

...