Expressions
 

Food and customs

Different countries have different cultural practices linked to food. The different kinds of food that people eat, the different methods of preparation, food habits and the number of meals they eat differ according to their cultural practices.

For example, Sri Lankans are used to having three main meals; the morning meal, the meal at noon and at night.

The amount of food a person eats depends on various things like a person’s age, whether the person is a male or a female and on the kind of job that person does. If a person is ill he or she may be on a special diet. So the type of food consumed would differ.

We know that the most important meal of the day is breakfast or the morning meal. This is because it is the meal that gives us energy for the day’s work ahead. However, for various reasons, many people do not bother much about having a good breakfast.

The main food or staple food of most Sri Lankans is rice. Most of us are used to eating a mixed meal of rice with vegetables and fish or meat.

The food we eat generally stays in our stomachs for about 3 to 4 hours. After that it moves forward to the next section of the digestive system or gut. Then we become hungry and because of that many people have got used to eating snacks such as sweets, fruits or taking soft drinks inbetween meals.

When we do not eat our meals on time we may experience a burning sensation in our abdomen. If this happens too often, we may even need to see a doctor for treatment. Sometimes our stomachs rumble when we are hungry.

The noises could be embarrassing at times.Care needs to be taken not only about the morning meal, but also the afternoon meal. You should eat a balanced meal including the necessary nutrients for lunch too and also make it a habit to eat lunch at the correct time, everyday.

Dinner too should be planned carefully. Growing children and those doing jobs involving hard, physical labour need to have nutritious meals even at night.

Because of various health reasons doctors advise people to have only a light meal at night, but even such a meal should be nutritious.

Sometimes we hear about people who have suffered food poisoning by eating spoilt food. We have to be careful about the kind of food we eat.

If we are to lead healthy lives, we should take care to eat fresh, nutritious and natural food. When preparing these foods, care needs to be taken to preserve or keep their nutrients without damaging them. Before the food is cooked or even cut, it should be washed and cleaned. Food must not be over - boiled as this destroys its nutrients.

Sachindra Samodhi Hidhallearachchi, Grade 8 - C, Sri Sangamiththa Balika National School, Matale.
 

The value of reading

Reading is a very useful hobby. It helps us to spend our leisure in a useful manner. We can improve our knowledge by reading.

We could read story books, magazines and newspapers. We could also read books on various subjects. We get pleasure by reading story books. But we learn many good qualities of great people when we read their biographies.Books can be regarded as our ‘friends’.

Most of the great, wise people of the past, considered books to be their friends. Books basically contain knowledge. So by reading we gain much knowledge on a variety of subjects.

Reading not only gives us knowledge, but also helps us to look at the world in a new angle. We know that knowledge is power. One of the best ways to gain knowledge is to read.

A.L. Chamal Dakshina Kavishanka, Negombo South International School.

Importance of protecting animals

Animals lived on Planet Earth long before humans did. Therefore they have a right to live on this planet alongside us.

Animals attract the attention of people because they are unusual in their appearance and lifestyles. Many of the animals are beautiful.

While some people simply admire the animals or study them for conservation, there are those who kill and destroy them. Animals are killed for their flesh, skin, medicinal purposes and for sport too. Crocodile skins are used to make products such as shoes, belts, wallets and handbags while the skin of animals like leopards and tigers are used to make clothes.

Elephants are usually killed for their tusks and rhinos and deer for medicines. Animals not only add beauty to the environment, but they also help maintain life. They are a part of the environment we need to protect.

It is not only because of humans that animals are killed. They die as a result of forest fires, flood and other natural disasters. Loss of habitat is also a major reason for the decrease of certain species.

Jatila Ashan Kannangara, Grade 10 N, Royal College, Colombo 7.

Impact of the internet on children

It is generally accepted worldwide that children are innocent. Innocence is taken as part of a child’s make-up. On the other hand, adults are generally regarded as ‘corrupt’ in nature. However, many say that this innocence is no longer found in many children today due to various reasons. The internet is said to be one of the causes.

What is the internet? Today this is a familiar term. Everybody is talking about going into or roaming the internet. Simply speaking, it is the world wide network of computers open accessible to people everywhere. Anybody can get an internet connection by subscribing to a service provider.

In the past most children were confined to a world of their own, created through their imagination. Anything and everything could happen in that world; people could fly, animals could talk and so on.

The purity and innocence of children could be seen everywhere in their behaviour. When adults were in their company they too became child-like, for, the harsh world of adults was not to be found in the children’s world.

This is how a child’s innocence was preserved in the past. But now, as a result of children being exposed to this harsh world of the adults through internet, television and so on, their innocent world has disappeared. In fact, some of the children act like ‘miniature’ adults.

This attitude has been inculcated (impressed on the mind) on present day children mostly through the internet. It is the negative impact of the internet and it need not be emphasised that this is something we can be happy about.

It is important to take steps to protect the innocent children and restore their lost world. This responsibility lies in the hands of parents and all adults. They must think seriously to look into this grave matter. Then children will be children once more!

Samithchandra Senadeera, Grade 8A,Regent International College, Gampaha.

My village

My village is Mahagoda. It’s situated in the Kalutara District. There are only about 80 houses in my village. It is very beautiful; streams and paddy fields enhance its beauty

Some of the villagers are farmers. They are very honest, humble, kind and also very helpful.

There is a small school in my village with only two buildings. There is also a large playground. I love my village very much.

F. Ifaaza Iqbal, Grade 6A, Harrow International College, Beruwala.

Reality

Dawn breaks, sun rises
And days pass, on and on
And so do months and years.
We grow up, we change.
As a plant makes a tree.
As a bud makes a flower.
Nature makes things and
So does the opposite happen...
Just as flowers wither
Just as leaves fall
That’s the reality.
We must keep in mind,
That we’re not eternal.
We do die,
So does everything.

Sajitha Pathirana, Grade 11F, Asoka Vidyalaya, Colombo 10.

Passing time...

The time is 6.00 o’clock,
It’s time for you to get out of bed,
You’d better get out of bed,
Before you miss your tea.

The time is 7.00 o’clock,
It’s time for you to wash your face,
You’d better wash your face,
Before you miss out on breakfast.

The time is 8.00 o’clock,
It’s time for you to have breakfast,
You’d better have your breakfast,
Otherwise you will end up hungry

The time is 12.00 o’clock,
It’s lunch time so soon
You’d better have your lunch,
Before you fall asleep.

The time is 2.00 o’clock,
It’s time for you to sleep,
You’d better go to bed,
Because you’ll fall asleep, before it’s night.

The time is 4.00 o’clock,
It’s time for you to study,
You’d better study soon,
Before it gets too dark.

The time is 6.00 o’clock,
It’s time for you to watch cartoons,
You’d better watch cartoons,
Before the programmes end.

The time is 8.00 o’clock,
It’s time to take a wash,
You’d better wash yourself,
Before you fall asleep.

The time is 9.00 o’clock,
It’s time for you to sleep,
You’d better get to bed,
To wake up early morning.

Nilisha Subasinghe, Grade 5,St. Lawrences’ School,Wellawatte.