Who were friends in the boy striped pajamas?

The main "friends" in "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" are Bruno and Shmuel. They are not actually friends in the traditional sense, as Bruno is a young boy living a privileged life in Germany, while Shmuel is a Jewish boy imprisoned in a concentration camp.

However, they develop a strong bond through their shared innocence and their desire for companionship. They meet at the fence that separates their worlds and, despite the dangers, they share stories, food, and even a sense of hope for the future. Their bond is powerful and tragic, symbolizing the human connection that can transcend even the most horrific of circumstances.

It's important to note that the novel doesn't explicitly use the word "friend" to describe their relationship. Instead, their connection is built through shared experiences, understanding, and a genuine need for each other.