Expressions

A hero of our times

It was as usual very crowded at the Sunday Fair at Anuradhapura. Adults and children were going here and there to buy the necessary things for their homes and school.

N. S. W. Bandara, a sailor who was on leave, had also come to the fair with his wife. They had bought the necessary things and were about to go home when his wife had reminded him to buy a school bag for their son.

So, they had once again gone to a stall selling school bags. All of a sudden Bandara had noticed a parcel on a rack. He had asked the owner of the stall whether he knew to whom the parcel belonged.

The owner had said that he did not know anything about it. Then Bandara had felt suspicious about the parcel. He had gone near it and examined the parcel. To his horror he had seen a time bomb inside it.

The time indicated on it was ten forty five a.m. He had immediately shouted to the people to run away from that place as there was a bomb. Then he had quickly run and brought a pair of scissors from a fruit seller and cut the wire that was connected to the detonator.

There was only five minutes more for the bomb to go off when he did this.By acting very fast, at the risk of his own life, he saved hundreds of lives. He has set an example to the whole world. We should be very proud of him and also be very grateful to him for saving so many people.

Sanduni WIJERATHNE

Grade 6 B, Sacred Heart Convent, Galle.

Books are my friends

My favourite hobby is reading books. From my small days I was keen on reading. So, when ever I have free time, I read books.

Books help me to improve my knowledge. I learn a lot about the world through books. Reading is a very good hobby for people to have. Books also help me to spend my leisure in an useful manner.

I have lots of books in my cupboard. When I feel dull and bored, I read a book. Books then become my friends.

I am a member of a library and so I read books everyday. I read English and Sinhala books. I have lots of English books. Some of them are Oliver Twist, the Secret Seven Series, Heidi and Snow White. They are very interesting stories. My mother brings me different books.

By reading books we can learn lots of things about history, science and the environment too.

There should be a library in every school. Every one in every country should read books to improve their knowledge.

I always take good care of my books, because I intend to keep these books for the future. Books make people knowledgeable.

B. Yashika Hanshini PERERA,

Grade 7, Good Shepherd Convent, Panadura.

Animals should not be kept in zoos

Every living being that we come across on Earth has the right to live in peace and harmony. Animals too like to have freedom like us. But, at present animals are unable to live peacefully in freedom because of the selfish desires and motives of humans.

The majority of people like to see different animals and observe their behaviour. So, many animals are kept in zoos for people to watch and enjoy.

Animals miss out on their natural lives and live in enclosures for the benefit of the humans. They are captured from the wild and placed in various types of dens, cages and rooms built out of artificial material.

Most often they don’t get enough fresh air and even the type of food they enjoy, even though they are fed regularly. Some of the animals in the zoos are brought there as a result of being displaced due to habitat loss, being abandoned by parents, orphaned or injured by people.

Some animals like to play and roam about, but they cannot do so in the zoos. Certain animals have been trained to display actions that amuse humans, like in circuses. They are used to make money.

We know that plants beautify the environment. Animals also do the same. They too are an important part of nature. Just because they are innocent and cannot talk to express their feelings, they should not be ill-treated.

It is not right to cage them and restrict their freedom. Animals also have the right to live in this world the way they like. They may feel sad and depressed when they are forced to spend their lives in strange places. It is awful to even think about it. It is such on unworthy act to keep them in zoos and deprive them of living in their natural habitats, restricting their freedom.

Achala FONSEKA,

Grade 11 B, Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa.

Water and sanitation

A limited resource around us,
Colourless, odourless and tasteless,
Precious and priceless gift of nature,
Vital for all on the Earth.

Where there is water, there is life,
Where it is scarce, there is a struggle,
Water, the basic element,
Vital for all on the Earth.

“Arogya Parama Labha”
Good health is the foremost gain,
Pure drinking water for good health,
Vital for all on the Earth.

Chemical waste, garbage go into waterways,
Making breeding grounds of deadly diseases,
Waterways without any dirt,
Vital for all on the Earth.

Cheapest, cleanest form of energy,
Mostly from hydro power stations,
A healthy environment without pollution,
Vital for all on the Earth.

On March 22 every year,
All celebrate “ World water Day’,
Conservation of this invaluable gift,
Vital in every way, every second.

Diduni Chamathka Pushpakumara,

Grade 11-G, MR/Sujatha Vidyalaya, Matara.

A trip to the south

During the December school vacation we went on a trip to Matara. We started very early in the morning as we wanted to see the Galle Fort, the corals in Hikkaduwa, Martin Wickramasinghe’s Museum and also have a sea bath during this trip.

It was a clear morning by the time we reached Kalutara. We could see several damaged houses and boats along the beach. We recalled the horror of the tsunami which took place in 2004. We knew it was a frightful experience from what we saw on television. Lots died and went missing during this natural disaster.

Many people were displaced, lost family members, relations and friends. They are now living in new houses and trying to move on in life despite their losses. We saw many new shops and buildings that had come up in the area. We met people who talked about the tsunami which they say was like a nightmare.

The Martin Wickramasinghe Museum was a very important and fascinating place. We learnt a lot about the history and the culture of the Southern Province. There are many things displayed at this place. The Galle Fort too was a nice place and we enjoyed our visits there. What we enjoyed most however was the sea bath.

Kavindu Hansitha Kahanda,

Grade 7-3, Ananda College, Colombo.

An unforgettable day

The most unforgettable day in my life is the day my parents came back from Mecca. Last December my parents went to Mecca to perform Hajj. They were away for three weeks. I missed them a lot. My sister and I were impatiently waiting for them to return.

At last the day came. The plane they were travelling in was due to land at the airport at 4.00 a.m. but from 1.00 a.m., I could not sleep. At last the time came and we went to the airport and bought the tickets. But then my parents came, first they gave salaams, then hugged and kissed. I got lots of gifts. That was indeed an unforgettable day in my life.

Amani Gaffoor,

Grade 4 (Local),Royal Institute, Havelock Town, Colombo 5.

We need to love trees

Trees are very useful to us. We cannot live without the many things that trees provide us with. Apart from the fresh air, we also get various types of food and wood to build houses, boats and ships, make furniture, turn out papers and firewood for cooking.

Some tree leaves, fruits, nuts, seeds and even roots give us valuable medicines. We like the smell of their flowers and fruits too.

Trees are the home of many birds and animals. We must not cut down trees. We need to protect trees because, all of us want to enjoy the pleasure of the environment.

Navod Nanayakkara,

Primary 2-A,Leeds International School, Panadura.

A gift bonanza for you

Here is some good news. The Junior Observer in collaboration with Richard Trading Company Pvt Ltd, will award gift packs to the five best contributions. Only original articles attested by a parent or teacher will be selected.

Winners will be indicated in the pages, and they can collect their gift packs from the Assistant Manager Advertising, Sunday Observer, Ajith Siriwardena, (Tele:2429362) by producing some form of proof of identity.