What has happened to family bonds?

Winner:

The family is the smallest unit in society. We can classify it into two groups; the extended family and the nuclear family.

Family bonds or ties play a major role in our lives. The deep attachment between family members help us in many ways.

There are four members in my family. They are my father, mother, brother and sister. I know how to help my family members always. My family wants to do work with love and affection, caring and sharing everything with each other.

No matter how rich or poor one is, family bonds are the same for everyone. Love and affection do not depend on wealth. We should do our work in peace and harmony to maintain family bonds. It is such bonds that keep the family together.

Whenever I have some free time, I spend it with my family members.In this modern world, family bonds are deteriorating. Modern society pays more attention to monetary factors than family ties.

So, people don't shoulder their family responsibilities. In today's society most parents don't know much about their children; their needs, aspirations or what they do in their lives. Family bonds or ties have become frail.

No matter how hectic or stressful life is, we should always protect family bonds. It will be a support to establish a good society and also benefit our country. We can make a better world if we treasure these values.

P. Chamali Lakshani de Silva,

Grade 11-E,

G/Prajapathi Gothami Balika M.V., Ambalangoda.

My first bicycle ride...

Winner:

My first bicycle ride was full of funny incidents. When I recall them even today, a smile comes to my lips automatically. Let me share my experience with you.

Those days, the majority of my friends cycled. Some even won cycle races. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to ride a bicycle. Because of that my friends laughed at me. But I didn't care about it. However, one day my best friend Varuni challenged me to ride a bicycle. I was afraid but I didn't like to accept defeat. So, I took a bicycle and started cycling.

All my friends were surprised to see me riding the bicycle. I was proud but my whole body was shivering with fear. Fortunately, two of my friends too joined me in the adventure. They rode alongside of me so I was somewhat satisfied.

While I was cycling suddenly I saw a little girl running across the road. I couldn't decide what to do, because I got so excited. Oh! Yes I fell off the bicycle. My friends came quickly and helped me to stand up. I was relieved to note that I had sustained only a small injury. I didn't pay much attention to it and started cycling again. At that time, the road we were cycling was full of pits. But I didn't want to show any fear or excitement, so I gripped the handle tightly and somehow rode down that road.Then I felt very happy and over confident I guess. I rode my bicycle faster and guess what happened? I fell off the bicycle, for the second time. My leg started to ache. I broke my leg. That was the end of that journey. Some neighbours and my two friends took me to hospital. It took a long time for me to get well. After I recovered I got to know that my bicycle too was broken and sent it to the garage for repairs. After a few days I got my bicycle back but my parents didn't allow me to ride the bicycle again.

When I go near a bicycle even today, I remember those incidents. I still cannot ride a bicycle.

P. Shehani Randika Silva,

Grade: 8, Ch/Wen/Holy Family

Balika Maha Vidyalaya,

Wennappuwa.

The train, a good mode of transport

Winner:

We can travel from one place to another by train. We can also transport goods cheaply and quickly by train.The train is made of steel. It has many big wheels and it moves along the railway tracks. There are only two levers, they are the break lever and the escalating lever in the engine.

The train hasn't got a steering wheel like vehicles that travel on the roads.

There are trains that travel long distances to places such as Kandy, Puttalam, Matara and Jaffna.

The cost to travel by train is cheap. It is not as expensive as the bus. About 10 to 12 compartments can be pulled by a locomotive engine. Many passengers can easily sit in one compartment.Around 250 or more passengers can travel in these compartments. The long distance trains have special facilities such as a buffet and water supply.

The train is a very good transport service. We can see many things when we travel in a train, especially along the coastal areas. I love to travel by train.

Kirishmaan Shanmugarajah,

Grade 3 Diamond, OKI International,Wattala.

My new school - a temple of learning

Winner:

My new school St. Thomas Girls’ School is situated in the Matale district. It is a famous Christian Girls’ school in Matale.

The name of my new principal is Sister Mary Florida. She is kind and very active and is a strict disciplinarian.My school is very beautiful. We can see lovely flowers everywhere. There are about five large buildings. There is a parapet wall around the school.

There are classes from Grades 1-13. There are about one thousand students and 40 teachers in my school. There is a computer lab, science laboratory, dancing room, music room, home science room and a canteen.The library of my school is big. There are more than a thousand of books on many subjects, including story books and novels. We are encouraged by our teachers to seek knowledge from books. Our librarian maintains silence in the library and issues books to take home, on library cards.

The classrooms in my school are very spacious and airy with big windows. After each period, different subject teachers come and teach their respective subjects.My school has a well maintained lawn in front of the main school building. My school has won several prizes in district sport events. We play a lot of games like netball and have won shields and trophies in these games.

My school is a temple of learning and I love my school very much.

Reeshman Zehana Ziord,

Grade 6 (English Medium,)

St. Thomas Girls’ School,

Matale.

Your Poems

Think about me !

Winner

I’ll be with you always,
when you want,
I’ll feed you, protect you,
and offer you life.

I’ll be a bridge to you,
to go through in a swampy creek,
You destroy groves; my family,
You said good bye to my neem,
and small friends.

At that time I yelled, hissed,
and howled at you,
By shaking my leaves,
You did not hear me,
or pretended not to.

Though I can’t fight with you,
I’ll be kind to you forever,
Because of my mother, nature,
So, far a moment, think deeply,
Do think about me, I am a part of you.

W.G. Hiruni Shashi, Grade 10D,H/Dhammapala BMV, Belliatta.