Camilla, now in her 80s, was the first African-American singer to perform in mainstream theaters and opera companies. Boris, an immigrant from Bulgaria, now in his 90s, was her longtime accompanist. They performed together all over the country for years, and their two families became close.

When Camilla retired from the stage, she joined the music faculty of Indiana University. The families stayed in touch. Camilla’s husband died many years ago. When Boris’ wife died a few years ago, his sons suggested that he might live happily with Camilla, if she was willing. She was delighted.

They live together as longtime, close friends, platonically, in Bloomington, and both are enriched and nourished by the arrangement.

Meet Azim Khamisa, a Muslim father whose 20-year-old son Tariq was murdered by 14-year-old gang member Tony Hicks. Azim was heartbroken. He became despondent at the loss of his beloved son. As a Sufi Muslim, he believed that doing good deeds and being compassionate create “spiritual currency” and this can be transferred to departed souls. So he decided that for the sake of his son, he needed to find a way to overcome his sorrow.

Azim came to realize that there were “victims at both ends of the gun.” So, in his heart, he forgave his son’s murderer and connected with the murder’s grandfather, Ples Felix. In the atmosphere of understanding and forgiveness, they decided to work together to educate young people about the terrible effects of violence. In this process, they have become as close as brothers.

Out of tragedy has developed a loving friendship. These men embody the Hindu proverb, “I met 100 men on the road to Dehli, and they were all my brothers.”

Meet Dr. Frans de Waal, world famous research scientist and expert on the behavior of chimpanzees and bonobo apes. His work shows how friendship and connection operate in the world of primates very similar to human behavior. Chimpanzees and bonobos exhibit feelings of empathy, compassion, friendship and even altruistic behavior, but only for their own clan members. They do not care about, and even might kill, outsiders vying for resources.