Can you share some real stories about imaginary friends?

In Japanese folklore, there are stories of the Zashiki - warashi. It's an imaginary child - like spirit that can be either friendly or malevolent. If it turns malevolent, it can cause all sorts of chaos in the house. In some African cultures, there are tales of a spirit that attaches itself to children as an 'imaginary friend' but actually brings misfortune and fear to the family.

Common elements include that they are highly personalized. A child will create an imaginary friend that suits their personality and needs. For example, a shy child might have an outgoing imaginary friend. They also tend to be very adaptable. The imaginary friend can fit into any situation the child imagines, whether it's a trip to outer space or a tea party in the garden. And most of the time, they are a positive influence, helping the child to grow in confidence, creativity, and social skills through the interactions, even if they are only in the child's mind.

There is this one story. Two friends were very close. One of them died in a fire. The surviving friend started to notice strange things. For example, whenever she was in trouble or feeling down, the lights in her house would flicker. She thought it was her deceased friend's ghost trying to communicate. Once, when she was about to make a bad decision, she heard a voice that sounded like her friend's warning her. It made her believe that her friend was still looking out for her from the other side.

There was a story where a boy's best friend moved away. One night, the boy was really sad and he thought he saw the figure of his best friend in his room. It was kind of a ghost - like apparition. But it felt really comforting. He later found out that his best friend was also thinking about him at the same time, and he believed it was some sort of spiritual connection that made him'see' his friend in that form.

There was a child who had an imaginary friend that was a mermaid. Her name was Ariel (not related to the Disney one). The mermaid would swim with the child in an imaginary ocean. The child would describe how Ariel would show her hidden treasures under the sea. This imaginary friendship made the child very interested in the ocean and marine life.

One story I know is about two friends, Tom and Lucy. They were really good friends who also helped each other in practical ways. For example, when Tom was starting his small business, Lucy, who was good at marketing, helped him for free. In return, when Lucy was moving to a new place, Tom used his truck to transport all her stuff. Their friendship grew stronger through these mutual benefits.

I know a story of teen friends who were all into environmental protection. They started a small project in their neighborhood. They went around collecting recyclables and educated the neighbors about the importance of recycling. They managed to get more people involved over time, all because they supported and motivated each other as friends.

Sure. There was a story of two best friends, Tom and Jerry (not the cartoon characters). They grew up in the same neighborhood. One day, Tom lost his job and was really down. Jerry immediately helped him revise his resume and even drove him to job interviews. They supported each other through thick and thin.

One story I know is about two friends, Jack and Lily. They were really good friends who often helped each other out. Once, Lily had a job interview but was lacking confidence. Jack spent days coaching her, from resume review to mock interviews. And when Jack was moving to a new place, Lily helped him pack and clean. Their friendship was based on mutual benefit in terms of emotional support and practical help, and it made their bond stronger over time.

One common theme is loneliness. Often, children create imaginary friends when they feel alone. For example, a child who has just moved to a new place and doesn't have real friends yet might create an imaginary friend to keep them company. Another theme is creativity. Imaginary friends allow children to be creative and explore different personalities and worlds. They can be anything from a magical creature to a regular person with extraordinary abilities. A third theme could be growth. As the child grows, the relationship with the imaginary friend may change or end, which can be a part of the child's development.