by Husna Inayathullah

Hope, wish, fantasy....

Call it what you may, but everyone dreams of being someone or doing something different when they grow up. Some dream of being astronauts, rocket scientists, space explorer... Some dream of being clowns, comedians and running away to a circus. Still others want to be lawyers, doctors, cricketers or superstars.

The sky, as they say, is the limit to your dreams... But what's the fun if you keep it all to yourself? So why not put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard, and share with us what you dream of being when you grow up? You can mail your dreams, along with your photograph to [email protected] or send it by snail mail to 'Junior Observer', No. 35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10.

To start off, we thought we'd ask some of your friends about the things they dream of... Read what they have to say.

I want to build a plane

My name is Janith Kumarasinghe. I study in Grade seven at S. Thomas' Preparatory School in Colombo. When I grow up, I want to build a plane and show it to the world. I wish to be an aeronautical engineer. My favourite subjects are Science, Mathematics and English. I am a member of the 'Young Aviators Club' set up by the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum, Ratmalana. I have already followed several workshops including 'Aviation Fundamentals,' 'Aircraft landing gear systems' and 'Aircraft engines' for beginners. I will work hard and achieve my dream.

I will make my dream a reality

I am Tharusha Thilakarathna and I study in Grade 6 at Kingswood College in Kandy. My ambition is to become a pilot one day. My favourite subject is Maths and I always score good marks in school. I will study hard and become a pilot one day. My parents say that a pilot is a person who operates an aircraft while it is in flight. I will make my dream a reality one day. I will earn a lot and look after my parents and my little brother.

I want to be a policeman

My name is Mohammed Zain. I study in Grade Two at Maha Bopitiya Rajasinghe National School, Pothgoda. I love to go to school and study. My teachers are friendly and helpful. I want to be a policeman one day. I will take care of children and will not harm the elders. I want to drive a car saying "boom boom." I will play many games with my friends when I grow up.

I will construct houses for the poor

My dream is to be an engineer one day. My name is M.R. Nabeel Ahamed. I study in Grade Seven at Al- Manar National School, Kandy. I will study hard and become an engineer and help the poor people. I will construct houses for the poor who do not have houses. I will try my best to get the land for them. I want to fulfill my dreams when I grow up. I study hard to fulfill my goal.