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| Sunday, 26 September 2004 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Expressions A memorable trip to Southwest America
The drive through the State Parks, National Parks, and National Forests was quite interesting, because of the wildlife that we encountered. The enormous herds of bison did not care at all for the cars that were waiting to pass. The 14,000 foot tall Rocky Mountains in a variety of colours looked down on us as we drove pasted them on our journey.As we passed the Rockies and entered Arizona desert, we noticed clouds of sand gathering in the sky. Our visibility was blurred and no animals were seen. The sky of a reddish - brown colour made the place darker. Our visit to Mesa Verde National Park and the museum was an interesting lesson in history. We learned how the earliest settlers lived, adapting themselves to the harsh surroundings.Mount Rushmore was a marvel with the faces of four American presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. They had been selected for special reasons. George Washington was the father of the nation. Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln had all been chosen for the growth, the expansion and the democratic development of the country.We had the fortune of going on a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam. It was an excellent feat in engineering. We had the privilege of standing in the unique spot in America - The Four Corners. We were thrilled to stand on the four states which were Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. The four flags of these states fluttered in the sky just below the American flag.Our grand tour to the southwest of America came to a close with our driving up the most visited mountain in the world - Pikes Peak. We were surprised to see the tree line disappear totally at a certain height. When we reached the summit of Pikes Peak, at a height of 14,110 feet, we noticed a change in the air. The air became thinner, which made it difficult for us to breathe. For the first time, we saw the Cog Wheeled train coming up the mountain, with a load of happy tourists.Our long tour is kept fresh in our memory because of the lasting mementos we bought from these world famous places of interest. Ruwan Silva (Age 13), Grade 8, Terry Fox Public School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The friendly cow "The friendly cow all red and white I love with all my heart She gives me cream with all her might To eat with apple tart." This is how the poet Robert Louis Stevenson speaks of the many services the cow offers to man. The cow is certainly a gentle animal. It is very useful to us. It helps us to carry out many day-to-day work. Therefore it is a good friend of man.A cow has four strong legs. Its long bushy tail helps the cow to drive away insects that bother . It has two big eyes to see clearly. The cow uses its horns for self-protection. A cow's skin could be red, white, brown, black or of mixed colours. Grass and leaves are its main food. The cow is fond of eating the jak fruit too. The male of this animal is called a bull. It is used for agricultural work and to pull carts.The cow gives us milk which is a very nutritious drink full of calcium. Cheese, butter, yoghurt, curd and powdered milk are turned out of this milk. The young of a cow is called a calf. It is a very playful animal and a lovable pet of many a village child.Cowdung is used to coat the mud walls and the floor of village homes. Dry cowdung is used as fuel by village women. It is also fine manure for the chena and paddy field.The slaughter of cattle is a very sad act. It is wrong to kill an animal who helps us so much in our life. In countries like India the cow is respected for the services it offers. On Thai Pongal day cattle are bathed, cleaned and decorated with garlands. They are also fed with their favourite foods.My family members and I released cattle set aside to be slaughtered. Each of us has a till where we collect money to set cattle free. I believe that this is a good practice for all children. It is a meritorious act to free the life of an animal sentenced to death. Mihiduru Osura Nawagamuwa, Grade 4C,Royal College,Colombo 7. |
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Recently my family and I went on a two week long journey to America. It
was a very enjoyable and memorable trip. We visited several important
places.I was impressed by the mighty Mississippi, the mysterious Colorado,
and by the scenic Missouri. The Grand Canyon, the Bryce Canyon, the Black
Canyon, and the Glen Canyon were all breathtakingly beautiful and awesome.
