Winner: Trees

Trees help us to keep nature beautiful and rich. We see trees everywhere. There are many trees such as rambuttan, mango, orange and apple. Trees grow because of rain and sunlight. They are grouped as living things. Trees are important to human beings and animals.

There are many parts in the tree such as the stem, root and branches. We get medicinal plants all over the world. Trees give us fruits, medicine, vegetables and wood.

Trees are useful to us. They have many lives. We must water them everyday when they are young and protect them because they are useful in our day-to-day life.

Mizla Faizel,
Grade 5,
Crescent International School,
Thihariya.

Winner: The postman

The postman is an important member of society. He works in all parts of the country. He carries a bag with letters, money and gifts.

He wakes up early in the morning and goes to the post office. His work is a responsible and difficult job. A postman must be honest.

He travels on a bicycle. He wears a brown uniform. The postman comes to our homes, rings the bell and delivers the letters.

A.A. Supuni Yashara Abeysinghe,
Grade 5C,
Royal College,
Horana.

Winner: A balanced diet

There are five main nutrients in a balanced diet. They are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Carbohydrates give us energy. Proteins build our muscles. Vitamins help fight disease and minerals keep our teeth and skin healthy. Fats give us energy.

If we take too much of nutritious food, we will fall ill. Overeating and taking more fat and sugar makes our body fat. When we don’t have nutrients in our food we will not be healthy. We should take a balanced diet for our daily meals.

Kottage Thinura,
Grade 6E,
Tissa Central College,
Kalutara.

Winner: The sun

The sun is in the centre of the solar system. It is like a ball of fire. But it is a star. It is the closest to earth and very much bigger than the earth.

It is bright. It gives us light, heat and energy. It helps us to grow plants, dry clothes and do our day-to-day work. It is a gift of nature.

Nelinma Methnuli Dissanayake,
Grade 3,
Asian Grammar School,
Matara.

Winner: Memories of Dorfli

Reading is my hobby. One day I read in a weekend newspaper, an article on ‘Readers are winners.’ It was for a government examination and I too could participate under the schools category.

Meanwhile, I read about Heidi, Black Beauty, Jungle Book, Buhuki and the Wizard of Oz and was interested in these books.

While reading a book last Sunday, I had fallen asleep and I was in the middle of the nineteenth century. I received a letter from my pen pal Heidi, who lived in Switzerland. She invited me to visit her country during the coming winter. Heidi, an orphan came to this world with sadness and pain. But, later her devotion and determination brought her success.

As per to her instructions, I reached Frankfurt airport flzing through the Bandaranaike International Airport.

When I reached the place it was early morning. Heidi, her grandpa and a middle-aged gentleman were at the airport to welcome me. Later on, I came to know he was the doctor, the shadow of Heidi’s success. They were dressed like Englishmen which kindled memories of Nuwara Eliya. Still the lamp posts were alight.

The sun’s rays were struggling to come out. Flowers were trying to play with them, by opening their petals. Birds were flying.

A cool wind was gently playing against my body. The streets were full of horse carts and horses.

At first we visited Clara’s house. Her father, grandma and nanny welcomed me. I was pleased to see Clara. Heidi had given me a true picture of Clara. Her life was limited to a bed and a wheelchair, because her legs were lifeless. Later on, she became normal due to the Heidi’s and her grandpa’s care. I learned and enjoyed the beauty of Frankfurt.

Then we went to Dorfli where Heidi had grown up. They arranged a horse cart for the journey.

I realised the gap between the rich and the poor on my way to Dorfli from Frankfurt. The eco-friendly environment was edged in my memory.

When we reached Dorfli, Peter, his mother and grandmother welcomed us.

I knew about Peter and his family.

I was lucky to taste toasted cheese for the first time. I was also lucky to experience Dorfli which I had read about. The goats and villages through meadow’s orchards and valleys were vivid.

I then woke up but sweet memories of Dorfli, Heidi, Clara and Peter remained.

They became ‘family’ members. Even though it was only a dream, to me it was a true experience.

W.A. Pasindu Anjana Weerakkody,
Grade 6A,
Royal International School,
Kurunegala.

Leadership

A leader is a person who can lead others. A good personality is needed for a person to take the leadership role. Self-confidence is necessary to have a good personality. Knowledge, intelligence, honesty, generosity, punctuality, bravery and experience are essential qualities of a leader.

A leader should have the power of initiative. He should not hesitate to lead. A leader must speak properly and clearly so that the others can understand. We should try to play the leadership role in the future. We don’t need anybody’s encouragement but need self-courage, determination and motivation. When you lead, people will criticize you but do not be afraid. Do not underestimate yourself due to criticism.

Maesha Mehnaz Mohmed Musadic,
Grade 7,
Negombo Wisdom College.

My favourite author

My favourite author is Enid Mary Blyton. She was an English children’s writer. Her books have been among the world’s best sellers since the 1930s.

Blyton was born on August 11, 1897 in London and died on November 28, 1968 in Hampstead, United Kingdom. She wrote Secret Seven, Secret Five, the Strange Umbrella and Fly Away Cottage. I have read many of her books and like them a lot.

Surani Maheepala Fernando,
Grade 4J,
Ladies College,
Colombo.

Value of education

Education is valuable. Our knowledge will widen when we educate ourselves. We must have a good knowledge of the world, health, environment, society and religion. Reading helps us to improve our knowledge. Education is wealth and it cannot be destroyed. Education broadens the minds of people. It helps us to reach greater heights.

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