Expression s

A trip to Meethirigala

In April this year, my family members and I along with the deputy manager of my father’s company and his family members went to Meethirigala Nissarana Vanaya to offer alms for the meditating monks. It is a very calm, quiet and cool place about 40 kms from Colombo.

When we went there, we saw lots of monkeys, some hanging from tree branches and others running on the ground. We spoke to the guardians of the place and asked them as to when we could see the meditating monks. They told us that we cannot go and meet them as such, but when they come down after meditation we could offer alms.

Then after a while, the Venerable monks came to preach to us. The Thera related Jathaka stories. Then, all the monks who were meditating came down for alms and the elders offered the alms very piously.After about an hour, we went to see the Chief Thera.

We had to climb several steps to get to where the Chief Thera was and my sisters and I picked the small seeds called ‘hora’ while climbing. Then we met the Chief Thera and talked with him for a while. The Thera gave us a small Dhamma book as a present. We worshipped the Thera and came down. Later we had our meals, chatted for a while and got ready to come back home. It was a very enjoyable trip.

Uvini Edirisinghe,
Grade 6-A, Devi Balika, Vidyalaya,Colombo 8.




 

 A valuable tree

What is this valuable tree? It’s the kohomba tree. It is very special for medicine. The fruit which is the size of an olive, is yellowish-green in colour. The leaves are light and dark green in colour and taste bitter. The bark and the stems of this tree are strong and smooth.

The kohomba tree grows in Sri Lanka, India and Burma. This tree is used to make oil, soap and toothpaste. Many people call this tree different names. In English they call it margosa tree.

In ancient times this tree was used a lot by village people. The kohomba tree is a good friend of Ayurvedic medicine (traditional medicine). It is good for food digestion and a good medicine for skin diseases. When children and elders contract chickenpox, kohomba leaves are spread on their beds to prevent germs and itching too. The kohomba leaves are used to fight germs, bacteria and many diseases. In some homes they hang kohomba leaves to prevent insects from coming in.

The kohomba tree is an old friend of man in the tree family.

Wimani Omendrika,
Grade 7 - C, Colombo International School, Kandy.
 

Loneliness

At day, the sun and light are with me
At night, the moon and stars are with me
As long as there is light my shadow is with me
But in darkness, the hour of need, there isn’t
a soul with me
I know it isn’t only me, I know it is the same for you
If we hold our hands, there’ll be you for me
and me for you
Of course in darkness we won’t see much
Yet, as long as we hold our hands, darkness won’t
have a chance
Humans are for humans and troubles are for humans
Revenge and violence are for animals while love and smiles are for humans
Humans are the only beings that can love and smile
So, why should we become selfish and blind?
People cause trouble and trouble troubles people
It is not humane to leave someone in trouble
For you become lonely and sad with troubles
Cause you made your friends unhappy in trouble.

Thilangani Bandara,
Year 12,Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya,Gampaha

The sea

The sun shines on the calm sea,
And the soft and salty breeze blows.
The boats sway slightly from side to side,
For the calm waves that pass by.
Seagulls swoop down to catch the fish,
While on the sandy shore children swim
and people rest.
Heavy rain batters down on the sea,
Thunder claps, lightning strikes.
Strong wind tears at the sea,
While huge waves rise and fall.

B.A. Hirusha Kalana Jayawardene,
Grade 7, Nolhivaram School,Maldives.
 

A flower garden

Every morning I see the flowers,
Smiling with the Sun,
As I walk through the flowers,
For some morning fun
I hear the whispering wind,
Sharing secrets with them,
As they reply with a
Heart full of glee
Even the proud roses,
Obnoxious as always,
Gifted all the flowers,
With a smile on their faces,
Sweet it was to hope it’ll be the same,
Until the dawn of the doom,
Which took the happiness
And kindness away.
Now every time I wake up
And walk through the flowers,
I never see smiles or
Hear whispers,
Except sounds of anger

Ganithri Navoda Wickramasinghe,
Musaeus College, Colombo 7.

Light of life

When I fall down
You show how to stand
When I cry
You show how to laugh
When I face a challenge
You give me courage
And enrich my life
With good habits, good manners
And knowledge
Loving mother and father
You light up my dark life
You are impartial and immortal in my life
To me you are eternal.

A.D. Prabashini Dilhani,
Grade (9 - J (English M.), H/Rajapaksha Central College, Weeraketiya.
 

My school

My school is Ceylinco Sussex College. It is situated at Delkanda, Nugegoda. I came to this school in 2006. It’s a mixed school.I learn in the English medium.

I study in Grade 3. I learn subjects such as English, ERA, Sinhala, Buddhism, Maths, Computer, French, PT, Dancing, Music, Art and English Literature.The Principal is Mrs. Lakshmi Perera. She is very strict. She wants good conduct from all the pupils.My class teacher is very kind. Her name is Mrs. Nadeera.

I have many friends at school. We study together happily. I love my school very much.

Chamuditha Dhanesh Uduwella,
Grade 3D Rose,Ceylinco Sussex College,Nugegoda.