The greatest gift I ever received

The day I came first in my class, at school, I received the coolest gift ever. I was given ‘royal treatment’ for over a month. My mistakes were ignored. I was allowed to watch unlimited TV. And, this was the greatest gift I ever received, or so I thought...

The problem I had with gifts was that each time I received a gift from a person, I would consider it to be the greatest gift I ever received. One such occasion was my seventh birthday, where my parents bought me a computer. As soon as I got it, I fixed it and started playing with it the whole day. At that time, a computer of my own was the greatest gift I ever received.

Two years later when I was nine years old, my uncle bought me a portable TV game. At that time it certainly was a great gift, because until that moment I didn’t have a portable TV game of my own.

But one day, I just thought about all the gifts I had received. Although they are the greatest gifts I have ever received, one day they will all be broken, ruined and of no use. However, there is one gift I have got which is very precious. It was with me from the time I was born and I hope it will be with me until the day I die.

It is none other than my mother. She has guided me protected me, and cared for me until this very minute. She has been a good friend to me; more than just a mother, because whenever I have a problem, at school or in the family, I just tell her with the belief that she would give me a good solution, making sure that the problem will not get worse or that it will affect me and my studies.

She has also been a shield to me, because whenever I go for tuition classes, my teacher would immediately receive a call from my mother asking, “Has my son arrived?” And my teacher would give her usual reply “Yes”.

She has not only been a good friend and a guide, but also a good cook, comedian, adviser and a teacher. Whenever I feel sad or exhausted, she would tell me a good joke or else she would cook me one of the best meals I have eaten in my life.

As a teacher, she teaches me whenever I have a problem with my sums, because she is also a good mathematician. As an adviser she advises me whenever i make a mistake. This advice is not boring and worthless, but interesting and makes me realise my mistakes.

The greatest gift I ever received is something that will never perish. It’s something I will not get bored playing, reading or entertaining myself with. It’s one I cannot imagine living without, and I’m grateful for, every single day. My mother, my best friend is the greatest gift I ever received.

Ashkar Aflal, grade 9, Hejaaz International School, Mt. Lavinia.
 

Impact of television

Television is a very useful mode of education and entertainment. The best of teachers can teach large numbers of students, but there are many things which are difficult even for them to teach without any visual aid.

The television becomes an ideal means of making unfamiliar objects familiar. For example, children can see a snowfall; it becomes as a reality and not just a spoken or written word.

Students of science get the greatest benefit out of television. Geography becomes a fantastic subject. Lessons on television become both entertaining and instructive. Educational programmes too bring everything vividly before the students.

However, there is also a bad side to television. Some children watch too many cartoons and teledramas instead of the educational programmes and get addicted to it. They spend less time on their studies as a result. So, there are both good and bad effects of television, depending on the way one uses it.

All in all, we can say that television has more of a good than bad impact on children. It is a good source of information for schoolchildren because they can amass a vast amount of knowledge through it.

Kenneth Hulugalla, Grade 8,Trinity College,Kandy.

The most sacred place in Sri Lanka

The Temple of the Tooth Relic situated in the city of Kandy is a very valuable and hallowed edifice in our country because, the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is kept here. Buddhists venerate this sacred Tooth Relic as the living Buddha. We consider the Tooth Relic as the symbol of royalty.

This sacred Tooth Relic has a long history. Prince Dhantha and Princess Hemamala brought this Relic to Sri Lanka during the reign of Kithsirimevan. Thereafter the many kings governing our country also protected this valuable Relic by even sacrificing their lives. In the past, the sacred Tooth Relic was kept in various other places. The present Temple of the Tooth Relic was initially built by King Vimaladharmasuriya.

Many local and foreign people worship at this place to obtain blessings. When we visit this place we can calm our minds. There is a very pleasant climate and beautiful surroundings in the city of Kandy. The area is full of natural beauties like lakes, waterfalls, botanical gardens.

Many valuable rituals and customs are associated with the sacred Tooth Relic. Our ancient kings followed them without breaking them over the years. These customs and rituals are respected and protected in the same manner even today.

Various cultural festivals are held in connection with the sacred Tooth Relic, and the foremost among them is the Esala perahera. Various kinds of cultural items including Kandyan drummers and dancers, low country dancers enhance the Esala perahera. The Maligawa tusker and other majestic elephants also go in the spectacular procession. Many local and foreign people come to see this perahera.

As Buddhists it is our duty to protect this valuable Relic for the future generations. The sacred Tooth Relic is a blessing to the entire country.

Kalpana Athukorala,Taxila Central College,Horana.

Problem of obesity

Obesity or being podgy is bad for one’s health. Many teenagers are suffering from this due to their busy schedules and bad eating habits. Most parents think that their children are healthy even though they are fat. It is not so most often. According to medical research overweight human beings fall ill very easily. They also suffer from many ailments such as diabetes, high/low blood pressure and so on.

One of the main reasons for this condition is eating lots of foods rich in proteins, fat and carbohydrates. Too much of instant or fast foods, fatty foods and sweets are bad for the health.Sometimes genes and a family history of obesity are other factors that makes a person fat.

In this modern world, people do not have enough places, like parks and trails to do exercises, except for gyms. Most children and parents spend their time in front of televisions and computers. Also, they travel by vehicles and hardly do any walking. They do not have enough time to do physical activities because of their busy work schedules.

Many children do not like to eat nutritious food like grains, green leaves, rice, vegetables and fruits. It is an unhealthy practice to eat junk food.So, try to eat more nutritious food and enjoy life, being healthy.

Sachintha Lakshan Wickremaarachchi, Grade 8F,Rahula College,Matara.

Preserve nature

Nature is our mother,
Nature is our life,
We live in a web together,
It balances our life.

If you harm nature,
It will turn back on you,
Friends, don’t you remember,
The tidal wave disaster?

Always protect nature,
As we protect ourselves,
Plant trees and manure them
Look after them as your eyes.

Fresh and cool streams,
Pure cooling breeze,
Lots of shady trees,
How nice nature is!

W. Ann Sachini Tharushika Fernando, Grade 8C,Holy Family Convent, Kalutara.