Winner:

How reading helps you

The joy of reading books cannot be described in words. It instils peace in you, makes you relaxed and also exercises your brain. When you read a book, you are transported into a different world.

Ask any avid reader and he will agree that reading a book is somewhat similar to watching a movie. When you spend long hours reading a book, you create a world with different characters in your mind. Your imaginative powers are sure to get a boost.

When you read books you understand your thoughts and emotions more clearly. Reading will give you a moral lesson.

It also increases your comprehension, writing and speech. Reading books will make you a better thinker and an efficient person. Reading good books is not enough. The way you read is more important.

Finishing one book after another without understanding will not help. Remember the old saying, “Reading maketh a full man.”

Devthilini Costa, Year 7, Lakeland Inter-American School, Ratmalana.

 

Winner:

I had an odd dream

The dream I had is a bit of a scary one. Our school scouts went on a camp to the Congo Forest. We drank, ate and enjoyed ourselves. At night we made a camp fire. We built a tent and spent the night peacefully. Around 11.30 p.m., I heard someone speaking with a rough voice. I was scared. I woke up the others but they did not wake. And I heard a small branch of a tree cracking.

I saw smoke rising from far away. I quietly got up and ran to the place where the smoke was rising. As I was running, I knocked on a net and fell unconscious. After I regained consciousness I stood up. I saw a child hanging on a tree. I saved him and asked his name. He said, “Michael”. Then I held the torch at him. I knew at once that he was my pen friend who also had come to the camp.

That night was a dark, gloomy, scary night. From far we saw two big red eyes. We both shouted and ran, but we could not find our way. We were scared. But we did not give up running until we found our colleagues. The red eyes were close to us. We woke our leader and other scouts. But as they were getting up their eyes also turned red, their nails were very long and the teeth were sharp like knives. Their clothes were torn. It was also a full moon day. We took our travelling bags and ran to a high mountain. We saw a river with a raft. As we were running two zombies jumped on us and one raised his hand threateningly. Then I opened my eyes.

When I got up I touched my chest. My heart was beating very fast. I heard my mother calling me to take my breakfast.

Shevin Tharushka Emmanuelle, Grade 9D, St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota.

The noblest prize

Since childhood,
You were behind me like a shadow
When I did wrong,
You were always with me to teach me good,
When I delayed to take a decision,
You were the adviser,
When I achieved my goals,
You were a well-wisher,
You were there to cheer me
For my future achievements
You give me the strength
To defeat obstacles,
I stay with you; my loving mum,
On this everlasting journey.

Bhagya Priyanwada, Grade 10B, Swarnamali Girls’ College, Kandy.

Winner:

Differently-abled children

It is estimated that by 2000 there will be at least six hundred million differently-abled people in the world. At present 125 million children live in developing countries.The most prevalent forms of disability are physical impairment, chronic illness, mental retardation and sensory disabilities. Recognising this global problem the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 1981 as the International Year of the Differently-abled Person with the theme “full participation and equality”.

Its resolution lays down five principal objectives to improve the condition of these children.

1. Helping in their physical and psychological adjustment to their surroundings.
2. To provide proper training and assistance to get jobs.
3. Encouraging study and research projects to help them.
4. Educating and informing the public of their rights of differently-abled persons.
5. Promoting effective measures for the prevention of disability.

Every citizen should be aware of the sad plight of these children. Much can be done as regards prevention, protection and immunisation. Immunisation camps should be organised. Parents should be aware that inadequate nutrition may cause disability and the involvement of the public in the remedial work and rehabilitation can help to do solid work in their field.

People can show care for these children by spending some time with them.

It is a great thing to bring some light to their dark world. Reading aloud to children in a blind school or contacting the physically handicapped and helping them in this task can be helpful. Every area can organise a special play-group and other children should accept their differently-abled friends and play with them. Prevention and protection from disability can mitigate suffering.

Abdul Nazeer Ifrath Sadhika, Grade 10B, P/Fathima Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Puttalam.

Winner:

My class teacher

My class teacher’s name is Thushari. She is tall and beautiful.She is very kind and loving. She never gets angry with us.

She tells us stories.My class teacher wears sarees everyday. I love her very much.

Gayan Chanuka, Grade 4D, St. Joseph’s College, Anuradhapura.











 

Winner:

How to achieve success

There are some important questions that often trouble us. One of them are: “What is the secret of success?”

The path of success lies through struggle, strife, hard work, sweat and sometimes even blood. For success one needs 99 percent perspiration and one percent inspiration. Perseverance and sweat alone take one to the top. Those who talk of luck, intelligence and intuition as the only steps of the ladder leading to success are not to be believed. Most of the people fail because their efforts are feeble and half-hearted.

It is said that where there is a will there is a way. Strong determination, will power and motivation are the other ingredients of success. Nothing is impossible or unachievable in the world, if the efforts are in the right direction and backed by a strong will.

Procrastination means a waste of time. Always define your aims and aspirations with care and then pursue them. Never be ashamed of your work or position. All work is sacred so perform it well. Learn from nature.

M.N. Sarah Shimali, Grade 11, Carmel Girls’ Central College, Chilaw.

 

A flower speaks

I wake up when the sun rises. I stretch my petals. I spread my fragrance to the air. My petals are delicate. I have attractive colours.Butterflies and insects visit me to suck nectar. Dew drops fall on my petals. I dance in the cool breeze.

I am very sad when I am not looked after. When the sun sets, I feel sad. I know that somebody will pick me and put me into a vase. Then I will die.Little children harm my petals. Insects hurt me. They eat my delicate petals. Then I become a withered flower.

Thavishi Kodithuwakku, Grade 9A, Southlands College, Galle.















 

Time

Time is running out. Time and tide wait for no man. The most precious thing which we cannot catch is time. Most things we lose can be regained but lost time cannot be recalled.

We should use time wisely.

We have to make correct decisions on time.Everything such as eating, sleeping, exercising and studying has to be done at the correct time. So, let us not waste time.

Fathima Zuhara, Grade 7B, Gampola International School, Gampola.