My hobby

My hobby is reading. Especially, I like to read English books. My favourite book is Matilda by Roald Dahl. I started to read when I was four years old. I love and enjoy reading.

There are many benefits of reading. It gives me relaxation, information, knowledge and pleasure. Reading helps me to succeed in life. “Reading maketh a full man”, said Sir Francis Bacon. So, I have obtained memberships of many libraries as it gives me the opportunity to access different reading materials. I also use the computer with my parents’ permission. My whole family likes to read books, newspapers, periodicals and e-books.

I like to read novels and science fiction. I have participated in many reading competitions and have won the “Best Reader Award.” There is no particular time for me to read. When there is a good book to read I grab it. I will continue to read books throughout my life.

N. Dhamindi Senarathne,
Grade 7-3,
Hillwood College, Kandy.

My ambition

My ambition is to be a doctor and heal those suffering from various diseases.

Most people are poor, so I hope to treat them free. While practising my profession I wish to pursue higher education in medicine.

I have lots of plans for the future.

I hope to fulfil all of them.

Fathima Zumba,
Grade 7,
Royal International School,
Kegalle.

Thomas Alva Edison

Thomas Alva Edison during his life-time took out more than 1,000 patents for his inventions. In the history of science perhaps there is no other scientist who has been credited with so many inventions and discoveries. Edison was born in Milan, USA on February 11, 1847.

When he was 10 years old, he set up his first laboratory in the basement of his home. In 1860, he worked in the telegraph office in the USA and Canada. In 1876, he sold the telegraph printer which he had invented. With the money he set up a laboratory at Menlo Park, New Jersey. In his laboratory he invented the Carbon resistance transmitter photograph which can record the human voice and reproduce it.

In 1879, he invented the electric bulb. He also invented thermionic emission which is known as Edison today. In 1880 he illuminated Menlo Park with 100 bulbs.

This was a small demonstration of his invention. New York City was the first city in the world where electric lights were used. Edison laid a 75 km long cable and illuminated more than 1,000 houses on September 4, 1882.

In 1887, he made a new laboratory in West Orange. He invented kinetograph in 1891. This was the first movie camera.

Edison was known as the wizard of technical age. He continued his scientific research until his last breath on October 18, 1931.

N. Ilaventhan,
Grade 8V,
High Level International School,
Hatton.

My school

My school is Musaeus College. It is situated in Colombo 7. It is a famous Buddhist girls’ school in Sri Lanka.

Its motto is “Follow the light” and the emblem is the ‘Swasthika.’

The founder of my school is Marie Musaeus Higgings. My school has a lot of facilities including the new auditorium and the swimming pool.

We have very good teachers and they help us with all our studies. Our school principal is S. Dandeniya.

There are two big playgrounds for us to play.

In school, we learn not only the subjects but also good habits and manners. We also take part in many religious activities.

I am proud of my school.

Januli Jayatilaka,
Grade 4G,
Musaeus College,
Colombo 7.

Who I am?

I will start with all the things which I like to have. I want the colours yellow and green. Yellow is for warmth and happiness which I think I have, and green is for thinking and relaxing.

For me, this means curling up warmly and comfortably to feel secure. My cat does this with me. I like people with such brilliant expressions, mixture of kindness, experience and energy.

I want the freedom to walk and to be happy with my friends. I love to watch cartoons. My favourite cartoon is Ninja Hathori.

Julia Nonis,
Grade 6A,
Jennings International College,
Nainamadama.

The Olympics

The Olympic Games started in ancient Greece in 776 BC. It was held in the city of Athens in honour of God Zeus. There were only a few events in the ancient Olympics.

Only the Greeks were allowed to participate in the games and women too were not allowed to take part in them. This is held every four years and the winners receive crowns of olive leaves as prizes.

After the Romans conquered Greece, the games were stopped. After nearly 1,500 years, they revived them in 1896. There are many sporting events in the modern Olympics.

The games are now held in different cities of the world. Women too take part in the games now. Winners receive Gold, Silver and Bronze medals as the first, second and third prizes.

M.Navajoth,
Grade 7W,
High Level International School,
Hatton.

My country

My country, Sri Lanka is an island. It is known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean. It has green forests and fertile plains. My country has several rivers and valleys. Sri Lanka has a multi-ethnic population consisting of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers.

Fishing is one of the major industries in my country. It has high mountains such as Piduruthalagala. Samanalakanda or Sri Pada is a holy peak. My country is famous for agriculture. Most people in my country are farmers. They mainly cultivate paddy. Tea, rubber, coconut, coffee and cocoa are the main cash crops. My country earns its foreign income from the cash crops.

Tea, rubber, coffee and cocoa are grown on the highlands. My country gets North-East and South-West monsoon rains. It has nine provinces and 25 districts. It is a democratic country. I love my country.

Rahmahisham
Grade 4,
Darul Uloom Academy.

My sister

My sister! Oh what can I say?
How rosy the cheeks and dimples so sweet,
They tell her beauty with elequence,
She glows like the morning star,
Rising from the clouds above,
The welcome smile greets everyone, quite magically!
Her childish behaviour and the playful smile,
Are the only things I admire.

W.D. Apporwa Nethmi
Grade 8,
Bishop's College, Colombo 3.

A short walk to nature

It flew swiftly past me,
When I stood beside the tree,
Soft and softly it went past me,
And rushed towards a kind bee.
Oh, how pretty, I told at once,
As the bee said, that it was his house,
With honey and rooms plenty around,
A cover of red apples and a lost puppy on the ground.
Oh! poor bee, who has left him?
Why, is he so cute,
I felt so sorry for it and the world.
As I left that place, I went to my field,
I was pleased to see him safe as ever,
Trees with flowers bloomed everywhere,
With red roses and pink moses,
All around I can see.
Peace to my heart, I gain now.
Now I am happy more than ever,
A bright day to me;
To have someone beside me;
Who was it, my little puppy,
Who will banish my loneliness,
Make my life happy,
For me and the entire world.

Dehemi Marasinghe,
Grade 9A,
Lexicon College,
Kandy.

Let's learn English

The world has become a global village with English as the common language. Therefore, it is necessary that we learn English to work in the competitive world where almost every tranaction is done in that language. When Sinhala was declared the official language, most people gave up learning English. As a result, the younger generation failed to study English. Therefore, we must learn English.

Chamodya Heshani,
Grade 7-I,
Negombo South International School,
Negombo.