Winner: Valuable time

Time is valuable. It is measured by minutes, seconds and hours. There are 24 hours in a day, and one hour equals 60 minutes. The time you have wasted you cannot get back by going back to the past and coming to the future. Time should not be wasted, as we can do many things during that period. If you get a free period, you can do your hobby.

We go to school and spend six hours or maybe more, and time is not wasted. So like at school we should read our textbooks at home. If you have any work, first complete that without wasting valuable time. Then do your hobby and play games with your friends. If you don’t have any work, read a book instead of playing. Don’t spend your time in front of the television because unsuitable dramas and movies are being shown. Also, computer games are not good for the eyesight and mind. So don’t waste your time by playing computer games.

We can do things without wasting time by using a timetable. If we play before doing our work first we will have very little time to complete our school work. Don’t be lazy and use your precious time wisely without wasting it. School life comes to you only once. Gain knowledge from school, and develop a good personality and do good to your country.

G.K. Sirisaubhagya,
Willesden International College,
Battaramulla.

Winner: Sinharaja forest

Sinharaja is a famous forest known by all. It contains more than 3,600 species of plants. There are many unique animals in the Sinharaja forest. Some are red slender loris, purple faced langurs, ohiya rats and many more. Sinharaja also contains a lot of waterfalls. Sinharaja forest has many rock caves and underground caves. It is also known as Sinhagiriya. In Sinharaja there are poisonous plants too. The Sinharaja forest was in existence for more than two thousand years. It was not built by anyone, rather it was naturally made up. The Sinharaja forest is situated in Deniyaya, and it is one of the most famous sites visited in Sri Lanka.

Tharuki Akithma Andrahennadige,
Grade 4, Springfield College,
Kandy.

Winner: Uses of the Jack tree

The Jack tree is a versatile tree. Almost every part of the Jack tree is used by people. The Jack fruit at every stage is eaten by man. Ripe Jack fruit is of two kinds, they are wela and waraka. Tender Jack fruit is known as polos. It can be made into a delicious curry. Jack leaves are dried, powdered and made into a delicious drink. The broadly spread branches give shade and add beauty to nature. The trunk of the tree provides valuable timber to construct buildings and to make furniture. Jack roots are used by Buddhist monks to make dyes of saffron colour. The Jack tree is a gift of nature. Therefore, we must protect the Jack tree.

Sachintha Anushan Ranasinghe,
Grade 9,
Bandaranaike College,
Gampaha.

Winner: A funny adventure

After reading a story book yesterday, I went to bed a little early. When I was in a comfortable sleep, I was awakened by a loud sound. As I felt it was the crying of a little girl, I quickly rushed to the garden where I heard the sound, Oh! I was amazed and excited by the thing that I saw. It was my old doll Chutti. She was alive and sitting on my little bench which I use to watch the night sky. Her little cheeks were wet with tears. Then I remembered suddenly that I gave her to my little cousin who has always been troublesome.

“How did you come here?” I asked in an excited voice. She looked firmly at me. Tears like pearls started falling from her blue eyes. Then she started to relate her adventure to me.

“Why did you give me to that evil girl? She dropped me on the road on her way home. For my luck I fell into a bush. But I felt something strange. Then I got up and searched what made me uncomfortable. Oh! it was not a bush but the entrance to a secret cave of fairies where they hide their wings at night. I was surprised to see the wings of rainbow colours. I came here to pick you.”

“Then what made you cry so loudly?” I asked. “When I was passing that bench I remembered the happy time I spent with you watching the sky seated on your lap. Then automatically I started crying,” she replied.

Then we started our journey to the cave of mysteries. When we reached there it felt very familiar. After we entered the cave, we found nothing but a box made of gold. Chutti told me that the wings are hidden inside the box. So I opened it. It was the greatest shock I ever experienced.

The box was not filled with wings but well packed pieces of garbage. “Ha, ha, ha…” Chutti laughed loudly. Her innocent blue eyes turned burning red. “This is the punishment for you because you left me.” she shouted. “No..” I screamed but my voice had gone.

Then I felt my cheeks were becoming wet. It was our pet dog Rex who was licking my cheeks. It was only a horrible dream. But...wait a minute. How did Rex come to my room? Oh! no... It was not Rex but me who had walked into Rex’s cage. I had been sleep walking.

Senali Senanayake,
Grade 9,
Wayamba Royal College.

Winner: My brother

My brother’s name is Gaindu. He is three years old. He goes to Lyceum International School. His friend is Nikini. My brother loves dogs. He likes to eat noodles. He loves to drink tea. He plays with me. I love my brother very much.

Sinali Kulsana Wimalaratne,
Grade 3,
St. John’s Girls’ School,
Panadura.

Cyclone

A cyclone is a low pressure area in the atmosphere. It takes the shape of a spiral and strong winds may prevail up to a distance of 100 km. The simplest form of a cyclone is the hard blowing wind while spinning fast in a swirl. Most cyclones originate in the Bay of Bengal. Cyclones which originate around the North Atlantic are known as hurricanes, and cyclones which originate around the North Pacific are known as typhoons.

In addition, there is another type of cyclone known as tornado which affects only a small area. Cyclones that arise in the Northern Hemisphere of the Earth rotate in anti-clockwise direction while cyclones that arise in the Southern Hemisphere rotate in the clockwise direction. A tropical cyclone starts in the sea. It arises as a low pressure area above the sea where the wind speed is about 30 km per hour.

Adithya Shenali Sooriarachchi,
Grade 8,
Yasodara Vidyalaya, Borella.

Once I met a beggar

It was a sunny day. I was going home after a tired day at school. As I got off the bus, I heard a voice say, “Could you spare me some coins?” I quickly turned around and saw a weak, frail beggar. I immediately asked him what he wanted. I was not unkind but my parents had warned me about some beggars who are thieves. “Just some rupees.” said the beggar quietly. I felt sorry for him and asked where he lived. He replied that he didn't have a home and scarcely got a meal. I took the beggar to a nearby hotel and bought him some food. I watched as he ate the food as if he hadn't eaten for a month. After eating he said he would never forget my kindness. I went home glad that I had helped a poor beggar.

Methul Laksara Amarasinghe,
Grade 5,
Royal Institute,
Gampaha.

Wonder of the night

Have you ever wished to make a necklace with the twinkling little stars in the night sky? Or have you ever wished to get curd and honey from the bunny in the moon? Have you ever wished to sleep on a cloud? Or, have you ever wished to have toys from the beautiful fairies? If so, you may certainly have wondered about the night.

Though the night is dark, bats and owls do not stop wondering. However, the moon keeps the darkness away. Fragrant flowers bloom to welcome the sun for a new day. But if you are still sleepy, how could you enjoy the beauty of the marvellous nature.

W.D. Shanika Rasangi,
Grade 11,
NCEF Buddhist College,
Mulleriyawa.

Deer

My favourite animal is the deer. It is a very innocent animal. I have seen them at the zoo. It has white spots on the body. The young ones are known as fawns. The male deer has an antler. I like deer very much.

Sethula Nethmira R. Wanigasekara,
Pre Grade,
Louvre International School,
Pannipitiya.