Winner: love and respect for parents

Parents are our second teachers. They love, protect and teach us several things. As children we must respect our parents because they look after us and care for us.

Parents inculcate in children many good habits such as how to respect, talk, love each other and also good manners. We can only trust our parents. Every parent is different,but they all love their children. They love them more than the precious gems. We too must love them.

G. Thisarani Sewwandi,
Grade 6,
Leeds International School,
Horana.

Winner: Christmas is here again

Christmas is celebrated by Christians all over the world. The birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated on Christmas day, on December 25 every year.

Jesus Christ was born on a cold night in a manger in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph, his parents went in search of a place but found only a manger. Christ’s birth was announced by the angels to the Shepherds. Three kings from a far-away land went to see the infant Jesus. Christians go for mass on Christmas day. During Christmas there are beautifully decorated trees in every Christian home. People visit homes and sing Christmas carols. The carols symbolise the story of Christmas in America, Canada, France, England and Switzerland.

Christmas comes during the winter season during which people send greeting cards. Santa Claus with his bagful of gifts is a feature at Christmas. Children look forward to receive gifts from Santa Claus. Christmas is a time for love, peace and goodwill.

Keshani Imaya Gamage,
Grade 5B,
Royal Institute International School,
Nugegoda.

Winner: The beggar menace

Hundreds of beggars, young and old beg in the cities. In rural areas beggars go from house to house.

They beg because they do not have any means of living. This situation has arisen due to various factors prevailing in our society such as poverty, parental deaths and illnesses, loss of parental love and affection. Some of them are differently-abled and some are able but lazy. They feel this is the easiest way to live.

Sometimes beggars become a nuisance to tourists. They pester them until they get some money. Beggars are always in tattered clothes. Even children between 5-10 years can be seen begging. They have lost parental love and turned to begging.

They walk in the scorching sun and get wet in the rain but this does not bother them.

It is the duty of the Government to take steps to wipe out the beggar menace. This can be done by setting up special homes. All social services associations and other voluntary organisations should extend their cooperation to the government in this connection.

G.A. Iruni Flaviya,
Grade 11,
Mayfield Super International College,
Kochchikade.

Winner: Sports helps develop a child

Sports play an important role in a child’s life. Every child likes to play including differently-abled children.

There are various sports for children such as netball, elle, tennis, badminton, cricket and football. Of them, cricket has become the most popular sport in Sri Lanka.

Children who take part in sports are disciplined and active, while the others are lazy and at times don't fare well in their studies.

Children who take to sports are healthy and strong. They have leadership qualities and are always ready to take up any challenge.

Not much time is allocated for sports in the school time table and it is not sufficient to achieve the benefits of sports. Parents should remember that children have a right to play. This should not be taken away from them. It is said that a healthy mind can be found only in a healthy body. Children should do regular exercise to lead a healthy life.

Sports also teaches moral values to children. A good sportsman can take victory and defeat in the same spirit. In the present day, children have no time for sports. Most of them attend tuition classes. They are burdened with studies. In my opinion sports must be made compulsory in schools. Parents should realise that sports too is a part of education.

Children should be encouraged to engage in sports, else our future generation will be weak and lethargic.

W.P.Nethmi Gagiesha Pathirana,
Grade 10E,
Rippon Girls’ College,
Hikkaduwa.

Winner: The beauty of the morning

It is morning, the rooster comes out and gets ready to crow. Oh! There he crows, the sun wakes up from his ‘bed’ and out he jumps from the mountains. He spreads his rays and the sunshine falls on earth. Now the earth’s got life again.

The tiny little dew drops shine, sitting still on the leaves. Flowers wake up, rivers flow across the villages and the little fish swim fast.

A little breeze blows and it gets chilly. Trees dance and the flowers sing. Boys and girls get ready to go to school.

There is a buzzing sound and the bees follow their queen. They are ready to make honey. Butterflies fly to collect nectar.

Children come running out to enjoy the beauty of the morning. Creatures run to make nature so beautiful!

Fathima Zeina Wazeer,
Grade 8,
Loyal Ladies College,
Kandy.

A memorable journey

During my December school holidays last year, we decided to visit Nuwara Eliya where my uncle lives. Three of my school friends joined our family trip. We left home early in the morning by van. We had our breakfast on our way. We reached Nuwara Eliya at twelve in the noon.

My uncle welcomed us happily and we had lunch at his place. We visited the Haggala Botanical Gardens. It was so cold. There were so many beautiful flowers and herbal plants in the garden.

My uncle took some photographs with his new camera. Next we visited the Dunhinda waterfall and had a bath. We enjoyed a hot cup of tea in the evening. My trip to Nuwara Eliya was very exciting and a memorable journey.

Lihini Thamodya Jayaweera,
Grade 10D,
Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya,
Gampaha.