What are the common elements in real stories of imaginary friends?

One common element is the spooky setting. It could be an old, abandoned place like a mansion, a cemetery, or a deserted factory. Another element is the appearance of the ghost, often described as a pale figure, sometimes transparent or glowing. And there is usually an eerie atmosphere, with things like cold spots, strange noises, and objects moving on their own.

One common element is mutual assistance. For example, in many cases, one friend might help the other with academic work like tutoring, while the other friend could offer something in return like helping with sports training. Another element is shared interests. Friends often bond over things they both like and then find ways to benefit each other within that framework. For instance, two friends who love gardening might exchange different plant cuttings or gardening tools.

Well, often there are things that break the normal rules. In a lot of these stories, animals can do human things like a mouse running a restaurant. And there's usually a lot of exaggeration. For instance, a man might have a nose so long that it reaches the other side of town. This kind of exaggeration adds to the humor. Also, the use of irony can be a key element, like a superhero who is afraid of the dark.

One common element is the sense of malevolence. The imaginary friend often starts off seeming normal but then turns out to be something evil. For example, in many stories, the friend begins as a playmate but then starts causing harm or scaring the child. Another element is isolation. The child may be the only one who can see or interact with the 'friend', which makes it harder for others to believe what's going on. Also, there's often a sense of the unknown. The true nature of the imaginary friend is not clear at first, and as it unfolds, it brings more and more horror, like it could be a spirit or some otherworldly entity.

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.

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.

They often serve as a source of comfort and support for the main character. For example, in some children's stories, the talking imaginary friend might encourage the protagonist when they face difficulties, like when the character is afraid of the dark or has to deal with a bully at school.

Well, in Hindi imaginary stories, family values are often emphasized. There are usually kind - hearted grandparents or parents who pass on wisdom to the younger generation. Mystical places also play a big role. It could be a hidden garden full of enchanted flowers or a mysterious cave with a magical power inside. And of course, there is always an element of hope. No matter how difficult the situation is for the characters, there is always a glimmer of hope that things will get better in the end.

One common element is the unique personality of the imaginary friend. It could be very kind or super brave. Another is the special bond between the child and the friend. They often do things together in the child's imagination.

Well, in most imaginary friend stories, there's the idea of secrecy. The child usually keeps their imaginary friend a secret from some people, like adults who might not understand. And of course, the imaginary friend has some kind of superpower or special ability. It could be flying or being invisible. Then there's the emotional connection. The child often turns to the imaginary friend when they're feeling lonely, sad or scared, which is a very important part of these stories.