Forrest became well-acquainted with the sometimes rude, dismissive nature of humanity as a child. Quickly, he learned that a friend can be found in someone who is open and non-judgmental. With the sweet utterance of young Jenny's offer to let Forrest sit next to him on the school bus, Forrest had found his first lifelong friend. No one else on the bus was prepared to let him sit next to them.
He experienced a bit of a throwback to that moment when he got on the bus to head for basic training in the military. New recruits callously dismissed him, but the soft-spoken Bubba offered Forrest a seat next to him. All of a sudden, a second friendship blossomed. Forrest was pleased that Bubba gave him the time of day, even if his newfound friend couldn't stop obsessing over shrimp. To seal their friendship, Bubba asked Forrest to become a partner with him in the shrimping business after the war, and Forrest agreed. Tragically, a firefight broke out on the battlefield and Forrest frantically searched the jungle for his best friend. Forrest acknowledged, "Bubba was my best good friend. And even I know that ain't something you can just find around the corner."
Forrest cherished his relationships far more than any material possession. He understood the beauty of human connection, which made the loss of Bubba all the more tragic.
