A lonely flower finds a friend

Winner:

Can you guess my name or make me out from among the others? I am a flower. A pretty rose which attracts everyone towards me.

As I am a flower, I live in a small garden in front of a large palace. Before I came here, I was in a shop with my mum and dad. But, unfortunately, I was removed from my birthplace and away from my parents too, just a few minutes after my birth. When I was transferred from one place to another, I felt so tired and sad too as I was alone and helpless.

However, after a few days, some more flowers were brought into the garden by the owner to make me happy and also to beautify his garden. With the arrival of the other flowers, I felt so happy because I could now find a friend or two to share my feelings, views and even knowledge. But things did not work out as I expected. These new flowers did not like to talk with me as they were multi-coloured and I was just one plain colour. I was disheartened and cried a lot. I wondered about my destiny. But I didn't get fed up with life and controlled myself.

However, my creator showed me his kindness by letting a beautiful rabbit to be my friend. I was very happy when the rabbit showed keenness to be with me and talk to me without any differences. Oh!, You may wonder how a flower can become a friend of an animal. Well, that is what is called love, affection and kindness.

Now, I have a pretty friend to keep me company and share my worries. If we have any problems we console each other.

Early in the morning, when I open my petals, my friend rabbit is the first person I see. It talks with me until afternoon. When my owner comes to the garden to water us he laughs at us but he admires our strong friendship. Now I'm very happy with my best friend. But if we should be separated one day, I always pray to god to give my friend the rabbit a better friend than me. I know I am not going to last for long. Perhaps, my friend also asks for the same thing, because otherwise he'll be lonely.

I live with my friend happily and joyfully. If you want to see me, come to our beautiful garden. Then you can see a lovely flower and a pretty rabbit living happily in a beautiful garden. You too can form a beautiful friendship with another child or even an animal.

A. Fathima Shameela,

Grade 10 - E,

Al Azhar Central College,

Thihariya.

Devinuwara Perahera

Winner:

The Devinuwara Perahera is held in honour of God Vishnu who is believed to be residing at Devinuwara. The Perahera has been held over 453 times as it was started at the time of King Parakramabahu IV.

I had the privilege of seeing all seven processions, including the main perahera. The main procession was a spectacular event that I watched very closely for over two and a half hours.

All roads were decorated colourfully with lights and flags. From time to time, we saw fireworks in the sky during the procession. Boys and girls in fancy dresses were dancing to the beat of drums.

Kaawadi was my favourite dance and I saw a small girl aged around three years dancing in the Kaawadi troupe. The Kaawadi dancing was colourful, and the music was live and energetic. I too danced to these tunes while watching Kaawadi.

Beautifully dressed (caparisoned) elephants moved as if they were dancing to the beat of the drums. The Nilame walking in the procession, resembled an ancient king.

After the main procession the fair and carnival started. It lasted seven days. I enjoyed buying toys and sweets at the fair.

On the final night, devotees of the god walked on fire. The next morning, sweet rice porridge was distributed among people to mark the end of the two week long festival.

I was very happy and busy during the whole perahera season.

Namamee Swaba Peiris,

Grade 3-B,

Buddhist College,

Matara.

My flower garden

My hobby is gardening. I spend most of my leisure time gardening. I have a flower garden in front of my house, and I have raised a rare and exotic collection of flowering plants. Some of them are orchids, roses and gardenias. I water the plants once in two days, at least.

I love my flower garden very much.

Vasunthra Puvithar,

Grade - 2K,

BT/Paddiruppu M.M.V.

Water-a valuable gift

Winner:

Can we survive without water? Oh! No. Nobody living on the Earth can live without having even a drop of water for a day. Hence, water has become one of the basic necessities of all living beings; not only humans and animals, but also plants need water to survive. Can you imagine how much of water is consumed daily by all organisms?

Two third of the Earth's surface is covered by this precious resource, water. But unfortunately, we are able to utilise only a very little amount of this water. But selfish humans are guilty of taking unlimited benefits from this limited natural resource.

We obtain water from so many sources such as rivers, streams, lakes, springs, ponds, wells and waterfalls to drink and also to do our day-to-day activities such as cooking, cleaning, washing and bathing. Water is also utilised as a major source to generate electricity. It is also used as a cooling agent for vehicles. When we feel hot during the day time, we need water to wash and refresh ourselves.

Despite its importance, humans who are selfish pollute water by throwing litter and also releasing industrial waste into waterways. Sometimes poisonous chemicals are released into water, destroying innocent creatures living in the waterways.

The oceans too are polluted. Fuel is released into the ocean from large ships, especially when there are accidents. These oil spills harm marine life.

Because of man's careless behaviour, this valuable resource will become scarce in the near future.Many people misuse water resources not only by polluting, but also by wasting it. Some people are not concerned about others and use more water than they actually need to carry out their daily chores. They leave taps running or do not repair leaking pipes and taps.

Water is a very necessary resource to all of us. So, we must conserve this valuable gift presented to us by our lovely Mother Nature. The only thing we can do to express our gratitude to Mother Nature for all it provides us is to protect it with love while utilising its resources, thriftily.

Ashani Erandika Jayasundara,

Grade 10 - E (English Medium),

Royal National College, Moneragala.

My trip to Hambantota harbour

Winner:

On Sunday night my mother, my two little sisters and I were watching T.V. when father said, "Tomorrow we are going to see the harbour, at Hambantota. We were surprised but father asked us to get ready for the trip.

The next day, we got up very early and left home in a cab. Since we forgot to take a map, we stopped on the way and bought a route map of Sri Lanka. Then my mother showed us the route that we were taking. It was by the seaside. Oh, it was a real delight! We switched off the AC in the cab and opened the shutters to enjoy the sea breeze.

After a seven hour journey, we arrived at Hambantota. It was about two o'clock in the afternoon. As we had already had lunch at Tangalle, we went straight to see the Hambantota harbour, expecting the place to be crowded! Unlike on Sunday, the crowd on Monday was not much. We were very happy as we could see the basin of the harbour clearly.

The Hambantota harbour is a marvellous creation in Asia. It will be the largest inland harbour in Asia. As the future generation, we should thank the government for giving us such a great creation.

Our trip was over soon. My sisters and I were very sad and I think my father sensed it. He decided to take us to see the Hummanaya. It is the only blowhole in Sri Lanka. It was a gorgeous gift from Mother Nature.

The sea waves come through the two rocks and gush out from the hole at high speed. Sometimes it goes up to about twenty-five meters in height. It happens continuously and I was amazed.

After seeing the Hummanaya we headed back home. It was a nice trip which will remain in my mind forever. I realised the need to protect these wonderful gifts after this trip. If I start doing so, others too will follow. Then they will also protect these gifts of nature for the future generation.

Uvini Edirisinghe

Grade 8 A,

Devi Balika Vidyalaya

Colombo 8.

1000 cities - 1000 lives!

Winner:

Good health is defined by different people in different ways. Some think that good health is only physical fitness. They believe that if people are physically fit, look good and are not over weight, they are healthy.

Others think good health means not having any illnesses.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has a definition of health that takes into account complete physical, mental and social health, not just the absence of disease or sickness. Physical health mostly refers to the condition of your body and how well your body is functioning.

Mental and social well-being is based on your self and how you get along with the rest of the community. However, the basic requirements for good health are the same all over the world. These requirements are suitable shelter, diet, companionship, financial security and a healthy environment.

Healthy choices can be easy choices. Because, when we choose anything that promotes better health, it will be an easy choice, and it will also be easy to find. That is why everyone says, "Better eating for better health".

This year the World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted the theme "1000 cities - 1000 lives". So from this theme we can come to a conclusion that at least 1000 cities and 1000 lives should be healthy, to build a brighter future.

Katheejathul Kubra Rafaideen,

Good Shepherd Convent, Kandy.