The pen is mightier than the sword

Winner:

‘The pen is mightier than the sword’ is a famous saying that we come across in various instances such as in conversations, books and media.

The pen is used mostly by writers to express a personal feeling or a general idea. The pen connects one mind with another and persuades the reader to take up the opinion of the writer on a particular subject. It can have a strong influence on people. It is therefore, a forceful instrument, akin to a weapon. The sword on the other hand is a weapon which is used mainly for violence and naturally leads to disaster. The sword can hurt and kill a person.

The pen, even though small in size can do greater things than the sword. People like Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and Jane Austen still linger in our minds even many years after their death because of their great written works, while many brave warriors have been forgotten.

A pen can be used to solve numerous problems and issues of the people and also bring solace to a restless mind. It is symbolic of a calm and a peaceful mind. It is an instrument which can bring about a change in a person’s heart and mind. The sword can only destroy and hurt people. It symbolises mostly negative feelings and results in destruction all around.

The power of the pen lasts forever. Writings can make a difference in a person’s life. So, the pen is always mightier than the sword.

We should not hesitate to write the truth because it is a powerful force which can be used to make the lives of all humanity much brighter, when used in a positive manner. It can also be used to destroy and bring destruction like the sword.

Umesha Piyarathna,
Grade 9,
Ecole Internationale,
Digana.

Man and his environment

Winner:

Trees are useful to man in three important ways. They provide him with oxygen, food and shelter. They give wood, medicine and shade too. They also help prevent drought and floods.

Unfortunately in many parts of the world man has not realised the valuable contribution made by trees. They cut down trees in large numbers and in fact have destroyed their best friends.

Where there are no trees, there is less rain fall. The soil is not protected. When there is rain, the rain water gushes on the surface, causing floods and carrying away the rich soil needed for the cultivation of crops.

When all the top soil is gone nothing remains but worthless dessert ground.

A million trees planted may not replace a forest felled, but a tree planted by you – a solitary citizen of Mother Earth may help remove the blindfolds of those who destroy nature for short term gain. Such is the value of planting a tree and nurturing it with loving care.

Let it grow to be part of a forest. So, do you now realise that it's our duty to plant a tree and care for it for the sake of the future generation?

Pravesha de Silva,
Grade 6,
Good Shepherd Convent,
Panadura.

[Your poems]

An invaluable treasure...

Winner:

You filled my life with enchantment and joy,
You are as precious to me as gold,
Many a times have we enjoyed,
And many a times have we suffered.
Truthful and helpful were you always,
It is far more worth than gold to have someone like you,
You are one of a kind, different from the rest,
You are always my best friend.
You are humorous, fun and loyal to me,
I always admired you, my friend,
We spoke, shared secrets and even fought at times,
But forgave each other the next minute.
You were always beside me whenever I needed you,
So, let’s make our friendship a ship,
That’ll never sink in the ocean of love and joy,
I’ll always be there for you my friend, always!

Madhushi Palliyaguruge,
Grade 9 (Science) B,
Lyceum International,
Nugegoda.

Harry Potter, a real hero

Winner:

Harry Potter is a great character created by Joanne Kathleen Rowling. The first book featuring this character Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published on July 30, 1997.

The Harry Potter series consists of seven books.

They are Harry Potter and the Secret Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of the Askaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows.

All the stories revolve around Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. All the mysterious things start to happen after Harry enters Hogwarts, the school of witchcraft and wizardry.

Harry has a powerful opponent by the name of Lord Voldermort.

Voldermort's aim is to become immortal and conquer the wizarding world and also subjugate the Muggle world (non-Magical world). But there is a great barrier. As you may have guessed, it's Harry Potter, the hero of the series.

Until June last year, about 450 million copies of Harry Potter books had been sold.

Harry Potter books have been translated into 67 languages, such as Ukrainian, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, Welsh, African, Albanian and Vietname. It's the best selling book series in history.

There are four houses in Hogwarts. They are Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. Harry and his friends belong to Gryffindor House.

The great writer J.K. Rowling is an English writer who lives in the United Kingdom (UK).

There are many emotions and writing styles portrayed in these books; fantasy, young-adult fiction, mystery, thriller, love and happiness are the genre of this series of books.

There are a series of films too based on the books. The first film was released last year. In that film Daniel Redcliffe plays the role of Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron and Emma Watson as Hermione.

There is another fascinating character in all these films. Can you guess who it is? Draco Malfoy. Tom Felton gave life to Rowling's Draco Malfoy.

Like millions of people all over the world I too love these books and films. We all love Harry Potter!

Mishel Arundathi Koushalya Fernando,
Grade 10D,
Girls’ College, Dankotuwa.

Knowledge is power!

Winner:

There is no need to describe who is the most knowledgeable animal that lives in the world. We all know it is the human. Man can use his knowledge for good purposes and for evil ones. When man is using his knowledge for the positive side, it paves the way for the development of all mankind. If he uses his knowledge negatively, it will be harmful to the development of everyone in the world.

In the past many countries were ruled by people known as kings. Many of them were strong and powerful in their physical appearance and nature but they didn't have great knowledge. Most kings had to appoint priests and various other people as their ministers to get advice to rule their country. In ancient times a handful of cultured men were able to rule some uncivilized people and get the work done by them simply using knowledge – a powerful weapon to overcome many things.

As the modern education system is so widespread today even those in the working classes are educated people. Many people can maintain themselves on their own due to their intellectual powers. By increasing the number of knowledgeable people it is possible to enhance the development of science and technology in the world overcoming many conflict situations.

Generally man is not gifted with the ability to fly like a bird or run like a horse, but nature has gifted man with a high level of intelligence.

And as a result he is able to make machines, vehicles and equipment to overcome most challenges humans have to face.

Man can cope with any dangerous animal because of the knowledge he has about his environment. It is his superior knowledge and intelligence that makes him the master of all creatures superior to him in physical strength.

L.W. Tharindu Navod Deshan Wijesingha,
Grade 9C,
Anuradhapura Central College,
Anuradhapura.

I like to be a doctor

Most of us have an ambition in life. Without an ambition there would be no purpose in life. An ambition gives us a sense of direction.

My ambition is to become a doctor. I want to be a doctor not only to earn a lot of money, but also to serve the people. A good doctor is loved by everyone.

After completing my internship, I prefer to work in a remote area that does not have the services of a doctor. Most people in remote areas do not get timely help when they are ill. I like to work selflessly and treat the poor who undergo a lot of hardship to obtain medical services.Many poor people cannot afford the high fees of specialist doctors.

I would try not to charge any money from very poor people.I think by being a good, kind and skilled doctor, I could serve humanity. Some day I will fulfil my ambition and become a good doctor.

Charuka Lakshan,
Grade 8 (English Medium),
St. Mary’s College,
Kegalle.