"Imaginary Friends" is a 1991 fantasy short story by Terry Brooks, and was an early "prototype/precursor" of what would later become the Shannara series.

It was published as part of Unfettered, which is a collection of fantasy short stories that Brooks contributed to, the proceeds of which went to his friend and editor of the book, Shawn Speakman's "considerable medical bills.

A flashback reveals that when he was 6 years old he stumbled and fell while playing in his sand box, hitting his head.

Jack runs to the tree and picks up a trash can lid and branch that magically become a shield and sword.

[2] Sylas K. Barrett of Reactor writes "both traditional fairy tales and many modern children’s stories are designed to teach lessons to children, lessons about greed, or not trusting strangers, or how to face the trials of growing up.

They can also provide tools to help children face those trials, and that is clearly what Brooks designed “Imaginary Friends" to do.