Winner: Smile and be a winner

It takes less muscles to smile than to frown! People have different types of smiles, but all smiles send the same message of friendliness, love, happiness, appreciation, affection and kindness. A smiling person shows that he is happy or trying to be happy.

A smile does not cost anything, but one can gain from smiling. A smile can improve the feelings of a person, lighten the day and make them feel better. A smile is also something which can be done freely. It can earn you new friendship with strangers.

The more a person practises the habit of smiling, the less he or she will frown. The effect will begin to show on them. The face will be bright. People will also be friendly with them. A sad situation can be turned into a happy one with a genuine smile. The mood of a person can be changed from sad or bad to good with a smile. The power and attraction of a smile can be seen from the Mona Lisa smile.

“Peace begins with a smile.” - Mother Teressa.

F. Hamna Mohamed,
Grade 8D,
Sacred Heart Convent, Galle.

Winner: Mode of transport

The meaning of the mode of transport is the means of carrying passengers, goods from one place to another. It can be divided into three categories such as land, marine (sea transport) and air transport.

Land transport can be divided into two categories. They are road and rail. The rail transport gets a better place from the road transport because one engine pulls many compartments. They transport more passengers and goods than road vehicles. When we need to transport vegetables, fish and fruits we choose road transport because there are no rail tracks everywhere and we cannot transport the goods where we want.

We use air and marine transport for international business. Ships are used to transport heavy goods. An aircraft is used to transport passengers and food items.

However, national and international transport is very important for our economy.

W.W.W. Senal Rithmina Fernando,
Grade 4NB,
Alethea School,
Dehiwala.

Importance of English

English is an international language. It is spoken all over the world. The English language helps us to communicate with those in other countries. Long ago, English was an official language in Sri Lanka and there were only a few English schools. They were available only to the rich. Many people did not get the opportunity to learn English.

Today every child gets an opportunity to learn English as it is taught in all schools. This has opened the doors to gain knowledge. All the higher education books on science, medicine, engineering and commerce are in English. Therefore, it is important to learn English.

Chathura Deshan Pieris,
Grade 9A,
Wadduwa Central College, Wadduwa.

Winner: An enjoyable train journey

I experienced a wonderful train journey last year, when my parents took me to Badulla on a holiday.

We arrived at the Nawalapitiya Railway station at 7.00 a.m, to board the 7.30 Express train to Badulla. People crowded near the ticket counter to buy tickets. Fortunately, we had bought our tickets two days earlier. We waited on the platform till the train arrived and everyone rushed towards the platform. Children were running around happily. We bought some magazines, mints and chocolates.

When the train arrived we scrambled into our coach to find our seats. I was lucky to get a good seat near the window. The guard blew the whistle and the train moved slowly and pulled out of the station. I was thrilled at that moment and enjoyed the jerky movement as it was a new experience.

There were friendly passengers all around and soon we started talking and joking among ourselves. The scenery was wide and varied. Trees, bushes, farmers’ huts and paddy fields flashed past and we were greeted by the village children waving and smiling at us happily. I also saw vegetable farms with rows and rows of chillies, beans and brinjals. We passed through many tunnels.

After about three hours, I felt sleepy and dozed off. Suddenly there was a jerk and the brakes squeaked.

When I woke up I found that we had arrived at the Badulla station. It was a pleasant journey, and I looked forward to our return journey to Nawalapitiya.

Shafee Fathima Samha,
Grade 7B,
Nawalapitiya Oxford College,
Nawalapitiya.

Winner: Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra in India. It is a mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and completed in 1653.

The Taj Mahal is one of the greatest monuments of Islamic architecture. More than 20,000 workers and artisans worked for 22 years to build it. It is made of white marble. The word Taj Mahal means the “Crown Palace.” I hope to travel one day to India to see the Taj Mahal.

Fathima Zahrina Hamza,
Grade 10B,
Al-Hira Maha Vidyalaya.

Winner: Dangers of smoking

Smoking is a growing trend the world over. It is harmful to smokers and those around. It is also a major cause of non-communicable diseases such as lung cancer. What can we do to stop this threat among the younger generation?

Smoking is associated with men, but women and teenagers also smoke. As a result, the danger spreads more rapidly through passive smoking. Passive smoking is inhaling smoke involuntarily through other people smoking cigars and cigarettes.

It can happen anywhere at any time, but it is more likely near chain smokers, who smoke heavily. Because of this, people tend to suffer from respiratory diseases such as lung cancer.

One simple method is to stop smoking, but it is not that easy because smokers may have got addicted to smoking. However, cigarette companies now put warning signs on cigars and cigarette packs. Another precaution is to educate the young about the ill effects of smoking. This is the best way to stop smoking.

Smoking is not advisable. By being cautious we can avoid it. Adults and children should work together to stop smoking forever.

Shivangi Sritharan,
Grade 6E,
WP/GM Yashodara Devi Balika Maha Vidyalaya.

My best friend

My best friend is Yasara. We first met in Grade Two. She likes to eat pasta. Yasara helps me in my studies. We share our sorrows and happiness together.

Sometimes we fight over a small issue and then become friends again. I like her so much as a best friend. I hope our friendship will remain forever.

Asheni Fernando,
Grade 6E,
Loyola College, Colombo.