Bruno lies to Kotler about his friendship with Shmuel out of fear. As a child, Bruno is caught in a moment of panic when confronted with the brutal authority represented by Kotler. Remembering the harsh treatment of Pavel, Bruno fears the repercussions of admitting his friendship. Although he regrets his lie and apologizes to Shmuel later, the situation reflects Bruno's struggle with courage and authority in oppressive circumstances.

The shared birthday of Bruno and Shmuel in "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" highlights the arbitrary nature of their separation by a fence, symbolizing their similar humanity despite external divisions. This shared date underscores their unexpected friendship, suggesting a destined connection amidst their contrasting environments. Their birthdays symbolize the randomness of life and death in the Holocaust, emphasizing how mere chance determined their vastly different circumstances.

Bruno and Shmuel want to embrace when they first meet on the same side of the fence because their friendship is significant, having been separated by the Auschwitz fence throughout their relationship. This moment of meeting without a barrier symbolizes their deep bond as "best friends for life." The natural desire to hug reflects their emotional connection and the intensity of their situation, as they prepare to search for Shmuel's father together.

In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, John Boyne explores profound themes of friendship and family through the relationship between Bruno, a German boy, and Shmuel, a Jewish boy in Auschwitz. Their friendship transcends racial and cultural boundaries, highlighting the innocence and purity of childhood bonds. Bruno's actions, such as crossing the fence and helping Shmuel search for his father, demonstrate loyalty and empathy. The narrative portrays friendship as a powerful force that can withstand prejudice, and it merges with the concept of family through acts of kindness and shared experiences.

In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Bruno and Shmuel form an unlikely friendship despite their vastly different backgrounds—Bruno being the son of a Nazi commandant and Shmuel a Jewish prisoner. Bruno struggles to believe Shmuel's harrowing stories, as they clash with his sheltered understanding of the world. Bruno's denial of knowing Shmuel under pressure highlights the oppressive conditions and his subsequent realization of loyalty. From Shmuel's perspective, he likely envied Bruno's freedom and yearned for a life of safety and family unity.