Winner: Water, nature’s gift

Water is one of the greatest gifts of nature. Ninety seven percent of earth is covered with water, and hence known as the blue planet. Water is used for drinking, washing, bathing and cooking.

Water is our lifeblood and we cannot live without it. The main cause for floods is heavy rain, which affects the environment and make the lives of animals and humans miserable.

Nowadays people pollute and waste water because of their busy schedule.

W.S.P. Thisumi Lohansa,
Grade 7,
Little Flower Convent,
Bandarawela.

Winner: The joy of reading

People have various hobbies. My favourite hobby is reading. My friends join me to read books. I have many books but my favourite book is ‘Polyanna’, an English novel.

Some books are interesting. There are many advantages in reading. I read books every morning and during the library period. Some books are not suitable for children. We must select books that will give us knowledge. As the famous saying goes ‘Reading maketh a full man.’

E.M.Thiwanka Thathsarani,
Grade 8D,
Humbuluwa Central College, Alawwa.

Winner: Value of newspapers

Imagine life without newspapers. Newspapers bring us news and views from every corner of the world. Any important event that takes place is reported by the newspapers.

Newspapers publish information for everyone such as for businessmen, politicians, unemployed people, sportsmen and children. We gain knowledge in technology, politics and science. You find various articles in newspapers.

By reading newspapers our reading ability increases and we can be well-informed citizens. I hope everyone would benefit from newspapers and not be like frogs in a well.

A.A.F.Salama,
Grade 7E Girls,
Zahira College,
Mawanella.

Winner: The wind and I

I was sitting outside and watching the trees and flowers fluttering in the breeze. At that time, a fairy asked me what I wanted and I said “I want to be the wind.” She shook her wand and disappeared.

From that moment, I became the wind. I started my journey. I went through the forests and the paddy fields. I saw many beautiful things such as animals, flowers, waterfalls and rivers. I changed the shapes of the clouds too.

But, I hit a mountain very fast, trying to make a storm and that was the end of my power and I was hurt badly. I tried to collect my parts again, when I heard my mother’s voice saying “Get up my dear, happy birthday!” Then I realized that I was dreaming. This was a real surprise gift on my birthday.

R.M.Anjalee Upeksha Maduwanthi,
Grade 8,
Mahamaya Girls’ College,Kandy.

Winner: On the beach

Whenever, I get an opportunity to visit my aunt’s house in Hikkaduwa, I never fail to go to the beach for a stroll. It gives me joy because I stay in Kurunegala, a town away from the sea.

It was on a Sunday. While I was playing a game of cards with my cousin he suggested that we go to the beach. I told him that I want to go in the evening. We stopped the game and got aunt’s permission and left. It was a happy moment and we were curious. I was surrounded by the “ho...ho” sound of the wind. We went on a boat ride. I saw a flock of seagulls circling a rock. We enjoyed the boat ride. We started walking back home getting stuck in the dry, white sand that tickled our feet.

Thakshila Oshadi,
Grade 8C,
Girls’ High School,Kandy.

A good citizen's duties

All citizens must be aware of their duties. Some countries are civilized and some are not. No one can refrain from doing his duty. It is the duty of parents and teachers to inculcate good habits in children. Schools and homes are the best places to learn. There are things that should be done, such as learning to say “Sorry” when one makes a mistake, taking care of the younger ones and and washing the plates after eating.

Most people do not act in a proper manner. Road taps are not closed and no one bothers to close them. Young people remove nameboards on the road for fun. Bus seats are cut and damaged and some write bad words on bus seat covers and cut telephone wires.

As a student there are so many duties that one has to attend. If the blackboard is not clean, it is our duty to clean it. When you step into the classroom in the morning, you can sweep the classroom before the others come in. If you are the monitor, you should look after other students. You must help people to cross the road, if anyone finds it difficult to do so. It is important to read reports and articles from developed countries and follow them.

Mohammed Sajidh Sahib,
Grade 10A,
Hameed Al Husseinie College, Colombo.

Endangered birds

Birds are in danger. More than 9,000 species are rare and could become extinct. These species will become extinct due to people cutting trees and polluting the environment.

Indigo macaw is one of the most rare birds. Many Indigo macaws were trapped for the pet trade in 1978. It is our duty to protect these birds which are in danger.

Tidas Chandoopa Silva,
Grade 8A,
Kottawa Dharmapala Vidyalaya.

My favourite TV program

There are many programs on television such as cartoons, comedies and game shows. My favourite program is Sri Gauthama Sambuddha.

It is telecast from Monday to Friday from 7.00 to 7.30 p.m. The story is based on the Buddha’s life. It is an interesting program and I never miss watching it.

M.M.A. Vihasni Sooriyawansha,
Grade 6,
Mahamaya Girls’ School, Nugegoda.