Good friends

As social beings we cannot live alone. We must have friends to share our happiness and sorrow. Good friends can be regarded as valuable assets and a source of strength. They give us advice and help us when needed. As schoolchildren we too should have good friends. A good friend is like a shadow. He always tries to protect his companions. It is said that “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” A life without a true friend is just like a death without any evidence. A good friend always tries to lead his companions in the correct path. He never misleads them.

Lord Buddha has taught us to keep company only with good friends. The bad effects of keeping company with bad friends have been pointed out to us by Lord Buddha. As we know, many lives have been ruined as a result of keeping company with bad friends. We must be very careful in choosing a right friend. We cannot judge a person from his external appearance. We should carefully try to understand a person. Through experience we can easily choose a good friend.

Dhanushka Titus,

Grade 11,

St. Anne’s Balika Maha

Vidyalaya,

Wattala.

My school

The name of my school is St. Lawrence’s Convent. It is in Wellawatte. The founder of the school is Mrs. Janet Poulier. My school is over 100 years old. The Principal of my school is Rev. Sr. Jeewani Martinus. We have classes from Grade 1 to 13. The colours of our school flag is red and gold. I love my school very much.

Nataliya Perera,

Age 6,

St. Lawrence’s

Convent,

Colombo 6.

Madduma Bandara

Madduma Bandara was a small child. He was a brave boy. His father was Ehelepola Nilame. He was a hero. Madduma Bandara’s mother was Ehelepola Kumarihami. He had an elder brother and a younger sister. His elder brother’s name was Loku Bandara. He was not a brave boy. Madduma Bandara would not hurt animals. During that time, the King of Sri Lanka was Sri Wickrema Rajasingha. He was a cruel king. He ordered to kill Ehelepola Nilame and his family. Loku Bandara was frightened before the killer, but Madduma Bandara did not cry before the killer. Madduma Bandara faced death bravely. Madduma Bandara who sacrificed his life for the country was a patriotic boy. He was a hero like his father. Maddhuma Bandara’s name is in history books. We must respect him.

Pamodha Pehesarani Wijerathne,

Grade 8,

Kegalle Balika Vidyalaya,

Kegalle

A house on fire

I have never seen a house on fire before. Then, one evening when I heard fire engines with loud alarm bells rushing past my house, I quickly ran out, and a few streets away, joined a large crowd of people. But we couldn’t see the fire well because the police wouldn’t allow anyone near the building on fire. What a terrible scene I saw that day! Huge flames of fire were coming out of each floor and black, thick smoke spread all around. Every now and then tongues of fire would shoot up almost to the sky sending huge sparks of fire. Three fire engines were busily engaged in putting down the fire. Water from several hoses soaked the building, but couldn’t put down the fire. Then the tall red ladders of the fire engine were stretched upwards and I could see some firemen climbing up with hoses in their hands. On reaching almost the top of the building, they began to pour lots of water on the top most part of the building. This continuous pouring of water brought the fire under control, but the building was completely destroyed.

P.H.T. Deshan,

Grade 10,

Mahinda College, Galle.

If I were famous

People become famous for different reasons, at different times. Becoming a famous person is not an easy task. We need sacrifice and dedication to do this. Mother Theresa, Carl Lewis and Roald Dahl are some famous people. If I were famous I would be an astronaut. I would enjoy looking at the twinkling stars at night. The planets are so special to me because they are interesting and exciting. Outer space is my favourite place to see in books, magazines and television. I wish I could be the first Sri Lankan to go to outer space. I will need to know how to put on a space suit, and to use the equipment to discover new planets. If I discover a new space object, I will name it “Gihen”.

If I were famous, I would earn a lot of money. I would help my parents, relatives and friends. I would help the poor by giving them food, clothes and shelter. I must study hard to become an astronaut. Sometimes it maybe difficult being an astronaut because people gather around to get autographs. Then I will not be able to live peacefully. If I become famous, I would inspire children to work hard and bring fame to our country.

Gihen Rashmika,

Grade 4,

Lyceum International

School, Wattala.

Suppa Devi in Sinhabahu

My favourite stage play is Sinhabahu. Suppa Devi was a very emotional character who comes on stage in the Sinhabahu play. It was directed by Professor Ediriweera Sarathchandra who was very famous in Sri Lanka. Suppa Devi was a beautiful young princess with fair skin. She had very long, straight black hair. She was very slim with nice features. But she was not an affectionate girl because her parents did not give her freedom. So she always wanted to leave the palace. She became an aggressive girl. One day she secretly left the palace. She often wondered about society. When she lived in the jungle she met a kind lion. According to the drama they married and lived happily. Suppa Devi became a sensitive and lovely housewife. She always protected her children, but also she often remembered her parents. Finally, she lost her husband.

Jalani Senevirathna,

Southlands College,

Galle.

Martin Wickremasinghe

Martin Wickremasinghe was a very famous Sri Lankan personality. He was very popular among the people. Martin Wickremasinghe was born on 29th May, 1890 in Koggala, Sri Lanka. He was a famous writer in Sri Lanka. Martin Wickremasinghe married Kataluwe Balage Prema De Silva in 1925. He was a Theravada Buddhist. He was awarded the honorary Ph.D. by Sri Jayawardanapura University. He wrote many novels such as Madol Duwa, Gamperaliya, Kaliyugaya, Yuganthaya, Viragaya and Bavatharanaya. Madol Duwa was very popular among both children and parents. It is a very interesting book. Martin Wickremasinghe was a great novelist and he lived for 86 years. He passed away on 23rd July, 1976 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Dinithi Sema Kumbukage,

Grade 7,

Bandaragama National College.

A rainy day

One day my mother, my sister and I went into the jungle to find wood. My mother and I collected wood. My sister plucked a small fruit named Dan. Suddenly it was dark and we were afraid as there wasn't a shadow to cover us. While we were walking it started to rain. My sister ran and suddenly fell, and she started to cry. My mother and I went there. We found a huge tree and stopped over. After the rain stopped we went home. We saw children dancing in the rain. My sister and I ran home and made boats. We sent them in water. We played and danced in the water. My mother scolded us. So, we went into the house. As it was a rainy day we couldn't go out.

S.M.S. Thathsarani Abeysekara,

Grade 8,

MR/Narandeniya Central College.