Children and elders: My grandparents give me good advice

My grandparents are the persons I admire most. My grandfather B. A. Kumarasinghe is seventy-one-years old and my grandmother Premalatha Kumarasinghe is sixty-five-years old. They live in Nugawela and their house is close to our home.

My grandfather has worked in the District Courts in Kandy, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Jaffna, Polonnaruwa, Colombo and Badulla. So he has a good understanding about these cities.

But, now that he has retired from government service, he is involved in social services. He helps many poor people. He enjoys reading library books every evening. My grandmother is a housewife and she keeps their home neat and tidy. She likes to grow beautiful flowers in the garden.

She has creative ideas about home gardening and she maintains a beautiful home garden. She can prepare tasty sweetmeats and sew beautiful frocks too. Both of them grow vegetables, fruits and herbal plants.

In the evening, my grandparents tell me lots of interesting and funny stories, and I enjoy listening to them. They teach me good habits and good manners too. They always advise me. So I like to listen to them everyday. They give me lots of presents on my birthday and never miss to buy me a beautiful frock for New Year. My grandfather goes to the boutique every morning to buy a daily newspaper.

They are very humble and gentle people. They are very kind hearted and friendly with all the villagers.

They went on a pilgrimage to India in 2001 and visited Lumbini, Buddhagaya, Kusinara and many other important places. I think they are very fortunate. So, I admire and respect them a lot. I wish them good health and long life.

W. M. Supuni Methmalie Wijekoon, Grade 8H,St. Joseph's Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Kegalle.

Respect and care for elders

Our parents, teachers, and elderly people are the senior citizens of a country. Respecting elders is a good quality that we should cultivate from our childhood. But unfortunately, today this valuable quality is lacking among the young ones in our society. How can we respect our elders?

When you see an elderly person in a crowded bus, you can always offer that person your seat. Let them come to the front of the queue when they are waiting for a bus or train, or at a bank. When you are given any advice by them, you must always obey them. If a teacher comes to your class, stand up and greet him or her.

It is not enough to only respect elders, we must also look after them well because they need love and lots of attention when they grow old. Unfortunately, some elders live in elders' homes because their children have abandoned them due to various reasons.

It's a sad situation, we should give these elders food and clothing. Not only that, we must also give medicine and help to take care of them.

E. G. Madushani, Manoriha, Grade 9A,Gothami Girls' College,Kandy.

My grandmother takes care of us

My grandmother K. Agnes Perera is 64-years-old. She has one younger sister and an older brother. When my parents are not around, it is she who protects and takes care of us. She teaches us.

She can cook very tasty food. She likes to eat rice and curry and drink tea. She plants vegetables and fruits in our garden. She also makes mats and baskets. I love my grandmother very much.

M. Sanitha Dimithri Perera, Grade 3S4,St. Bridget's Convent, Colombo 7.

I love my grandmother

My grandmother Chinna umma is my father's mother. She lives with us. She is 75-years-old and her native village is Girithale. She is thin, tall and fair. As she is old and feeble, she is unable to do any heavy work. She spends most of her time reading books on religion. My grandma is not rough or rude.

She is very kind to me and tells me interesting stories. I help my grandma and she helps me with my lessons. I love my grandma.

Nusrifa Begam, Grade 9,Pl/Ananda Balika National School.

The day I spent with elders

On my sister's birthday, we decided to spend the time at an elders' home. We packed many food items and went to the Kamburupitiya Elders' Home. There were so many elders in the home. They welcomed us warmly and we gave them a good lunch. I felt very happy.

After lunch, we decided to sing songs, especially old songs. They too joined us in the singing. I think they enjoyed themselves very much on that day. Finally, the time came for us to say goodbye to them, but we felt very sorry to leave them. This visit has left an indelible impression in my memory.

Kavindi Gayana Ranatunga, Grade 8C, MR/Sujatha Vidyalaya, Matara.