The value of a good character
Winner:
A man’s character is his moral condition and what he really is. To
estimate the value of something we must compare it with other things.
So, let us compare it with other valuable things a man may possess, such
as health, wealth and happiness. Good health is a great blessing. But is
it better to be a healthy villain or a sick saint?
Wealth is great, though a dangerous blessing. But is it better to be
rich and mean, selfish and sensual, or poor and kind and pure? All
desire happiness and it is in itself a glorious gift. Is it better to be
happy and bad or good and unhappy?
In our hearts we know that though all possessions are of great value,
a strong, upright character is worth more than everything. Health will
fail, riches take wings and fly away, happiness is temporary, but
character lasts even beyond the grave.
Only good character and conscientious people in a nation, keep it
strong and preserve it from decay.
As one wise man said, “The best thing a man can do for his nation is
to be a good man.”
Shenita Alexander,
Grade 9B,
Victories Convent, Moratuwa.
Good morning!
Winner:
Morning is the time of wisdom. It is the start of a bright day.
Nature’s only musicians birds announce the dawn of a fantastic day with
their melodious songs.
The sun peeps into the world wishing all of us good morning! The
dewdrops glitter in the sunshine. Bees murmur about this attractive
start. The wind spreads the fragrance of flowers everywhere.
The clouds resemble cobweb lawns. Trees dance in the breeze as a
result of having fresh leaves and fruits laden in them.
Butterflies suck mouthwatering honey to quench their thirst. The
meadow is like a green carpet. The breeze makes the leaves kiss each
other. The mist envelopes the mountains. Morning is the best time to
start anew.
Dithara Sasvini
Rambodagedara,
Grade 7A,
Girls’ High School, Kandy.
Chilaw, then and now
Winner:
Chilaw is a city with a long history. There are many legends told by
our ancestors about how the name ‘Chilaw’ came about. One of them is
when Kuweni was running across this city from Thambapanni, her cloth had
fallen in this area. So, the first name had been Watha Sala’then Watha
Hala and finally Halawatha the British called it ‘Chilaw’ while the
Portuguese and Dutch called it ‘Chilao’ and ‘Chilauw’.
The main mode of living of the people in Chilaw is fishing. Chilaw is
a fishing city. This city has a Roman Catholic Cathedral built 163 years
ago and one of the three Hindu kovils in Sri Lanka, Munneswaram. St.
Mary’s College, Carmel Balika Convent, Vijaya Maha Vidyalaya and Ananda
College are the leading schools in the city.
The Chairman of the Chilaw Council is Hilary Prasanna. Finally, I
invite all of you to visit Chilaw and experience its attractive
surroundings.
U.L.N. Eranga Perera,
Grade 11-F,
English Medium Unit,
St. Mary’s College.
Let’s safeguard public property
Winner:
Public property are things we use which belong to the state. Some
public places are school temple, library, hospital, bus station, railway
station and banks. The items we use in these places should be
safeguarded.In the present society, some people don’t know how to use
public property. They behave like stupid people and are selfish. They
destroy public property. Some youngsters keep their legs on the walls of
bus stations, while others put garbage everywhere disregarding public
space and property.
The government spends for all these facilities. We don’t have to pay
money for using public property. Some people protect them. They keep
them neat and clean.
The government develops infrastructure facilities. We must use them
carefully. It is our responsibility to safeguard public property. As
school children we must protect public property for the future
generation.
M.R. Mavindi Tharupraba,
Grade 11A,
Alawwa Sri Rahula MMV.
Let’s protect the environment
Winner:
The environment is the surroundings around us. Water, air, trees,
land and beings are the parts of the environment.
Today environmental pollution has become a major problem. People
pollute the water by mixing poisonous chemicals and waste matter.
The air is polluted by smoke and poisonous gases being mixed through
the chimneys of large factories. Land is polluted with garbage strewn
all over. People cut trees in a careless manner. They never think of the
ill effects of cutting trees.
We get rain because of trees. Trees not only help man but also
animals. Birds build their nests on trees. Trees prevent soil erosion
too.
We should grow more trees. We should keep our gardens clean. Let’s
protect our environment.
G.V.P.T.K.Nanayakkara,
Grade 7C,
Wattegama Central College.
The Kataragama festival
The Kataragama festival is held in August. The statue of God Skanda
is taken along the streets of the sacred city. Kataragama is a small
city. Many people go to Kataragama during the season. Some worshipers
dance in the procession with the Kawadi on their shoulders.
The dance is to show their devotion to God Skanda. A special kind of
music is played for Kawadi dance. The devotees call out to the God as
Haro hara.
The Madu festival is also held in August. The statue of Lady Madu is
taken in procession along the streets. The devotees sing hymns. Women
and girls cover their heads with white or black veils. It is a religious
festival celebrated by the Christians.
Hiba Ubaith,
Grade 8F,
Rambaikulam Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya, Vavuniya.
A wonderful experience
We were at the Fort Railway station on time to catch the 7 a.m train.
We bought our tickets and hurried towards platform number five. We found
seats in a carriage of the waiting train. We put our luggage in and
settled down for the journey.
The guard blew the whistle and waved the green flag. The engine
slowly began to move and the train glided out of the station.
We were looking out of the carriage windows. We passed green fields,
beautiful forests, hills, valleys,rivers, mountains, waterfalls and tea
estates. “Oh! What a beautiful scenery!” Everything looked very bright
and pleasant in the sunshine.
“FFF, sh sh sh, chof chof chof”rocking us rhythmically to and fro and
from side to side, the train took us through tunnels and valleys.
Finally we reached Badulla. It was one of the most noisiest stations.
The platform was crowded with people talking, laughing and shouting.
It was a memorable experience.
Mohathar Mohammed Musrif,
Grade 9A, Zahira National School, Matale.
Importance of learning English
English is a widely used language in the world. Nearly two third of
the world population uses English language. In countries such as
England, the USA, Canada, Australia and several parts of Africa, it is
their mother tongue. In many countries it is a second language.
“English can be regarded as the window to the world.” This idea was
expressed by the first Prime Minister of India, the late Jawaharlal
Nehru.
Today the world is advanced in science and technology. Almost all the
books, songs, stage dramas and films are in English. If we learn English
we can understand all of them and can gain immense knowledge.
At present, the world has become a global village through modern
methods of communication such as telex, fax, e-mail and internet.
English is used in all the media.
As our economy is based mostly on the import and export trade, we
have to deal constantly with other countries. English is essential for
this purpose.
Therefore, without the knowledge of English it is difficult to
specialise in any course of study. For those who seek foreign employment
too, English is essential.
Mohammed Usama,
Grade 8 Umar, Mercy Education
Complex,
Madurankuliya.
The national emblem
Sri Lanka’s national emblem can be seen on our coins, government
books and documents. The emblem shows a lion carrying a sword in its
right forepaws encircled with a palapethi open petal design.
The emblem also portrays the Punkalasa, Dhammachakka, sun, moon and
two sheaves of paddy. All the elements in the emblem depict prosperity.
F. Amaani Mumtaz,
Grade 5B,
Darul Uloom Academy.
Weird conclusion
A man came to a conclusion,
To buy a medical lotion.
As he was mentally ill,
He drank the medical lotion.
He met a doctor who gave a suggestion,
About his digestion.
But the man had a lose motion,
Because he drank the lotion.
He went to the police to get his shoes polished.
Because he was foolish.
So he was put into the jail,
And was not allowed any mail.
Nethaya, Grade 5B,
St. Thomas’ Catholic International College, Seeduwa
The radio
The invention of the radio changed the world. Gugliemo Marconi
invented the radio. He was an Italian.
He discovered how to send radio signals by using invisible electric
waves. After seven years he sent radio signals around the world. The
radio entertains people and gives news.
I.F.Ishrath Amaani,
Grade 7K, Muslim
MMV,
Sammanthurai.
Our teacher's exciting stories
When our teacher calls us for a story, we are glad. We run like fast
trains close to her to listen to her story. We wonder what story she has
in store. She starts telling a story about ancient animals.
We listen to her very excitedly. When our teacher tells about ancient
animals, we can imagine them all around us,Then we wonder what story
would be next.
Melissa Jansze,
Form 1, St. Thomas’
Catholic International
College,
Seeduwa. |