Respecting adults

Winner:

Adults are those who are older than us such as our parents, elder brothers and sisters, teachers, the clergy and all those who are above 18 years of age.

We must know how to respect adults, especially those who are elderly like our grandparents. We must help our grandparents and elders.For instance, when we are travelling in a bus and an elderly person gets in, we must offer that person a seat because most elderly people find it difficult to travel in public transport standing for long hours.

We must also show our teachers respect by observing good manners at school and being attentive to lessons instead of shouting and hooting in the classroom. We can also stop playing in the classrooms and avoid breaking furniture.

As children we depend a lot on adults.They have helped us a lot in life so we too have to try and do at least some thing small to help adults, in return, especially our parents.

Our parents spend a lot of money to educate us and provide our basic needs such as food. Have you ever thought about it? Therefore, we must always help our parents, especially when they are old.

Adults are people we need to respect at all times. We must cultivate the good habit of showing respect to them.

Nethmina Fernando

Class - 5 LEA

Alethea School, Dehiwala.

Flying fish - nature’s wonder

Winner:

One of the amazing wonders of the sea is the flying fish. There are about sixty-five species of flying fish. Their bodies are five to forty-five centimetres long and they are found in warm or tropical waters.They have two fins like wings on either side of their bodies. They are known as pectoral fins. They can reach a speed of 56 kilometres per hour.These fish do not fly for pleasure. They only fly when they are chased by enemies like shark, tuna and dolphins. To escape from enemies they first increase their swimming speed with their fins folded against their body. Then they leap out of the water using their tail to push off from the water’s surface.

They can stay in the air for up to 15 seconds and cover up to 150 metres. They spread their wings and soar out of the enemy’s reach. Their fly adaptation helps them to live safely in water. Aren’t they a wonder of nature?

Savinda de Silva,

Sussex College,

Kurunegala.

Queen of flowers

Winner:

Throughout the ages, the rose has been a favourite among flowers mainly because of its rich perfume. More than any other flower a lot has been written about the rose, especially in poetry. An ancient Greek poet called it the ‘Queen of flowers’.

Rose blossoms usually grow on small prickly shrubs in poor soil. There are mildly poisonous thorns on the stems of the plant. The oval shaped leaves are sharply toothed.

Roses come in very striking hues such as red, yellow, pink, and orange. Roses have a number of delicate petals and the flowers may measure about half an inch across for a miniature flower and about seven inches across for a large one.

Wild rose plants bear either many single blossoms or clusters of flowers. The roses which grow in the wild have less petals, about five or so while those especially grown by people in gardens have many sets of petals. The spectacular red rose is considered a symbol of love while the bright yellow rose symbolizes friendship.

Roses have an enticing fragrance which varies according to the variety and the climatic conditions in which they are grown. It is difficult to grow roses as the plant becomes infected by a number of diseases, especially caused by fungi.

The rose is admired all over the world as a beautiful ornamental blossom in gardens. It is used for various special occasions such as weddings. A fragrant oil called ‘attar’ which is derived from roses is used to make perfumes. It gives a sweet lingering fragrance.

B. Suzanne Bhagya,

Grade 9-D,

Girls’ College, Dematagoda.