Let's prevent animal extinction

Winner:

There are many species of animals which are in very small numbers due to various reasons and are listed as near extinct. It means that the species is dying out. Three species a day are believed to be nearing extinction. By 2021, there might be about thirty species entering extinction a day!

Hunting or poaching, clearing of forests and global warming are some of the causes of extinction. There are different kinds of extinction. Domino extinctions (if an important food species dies out, so does the species that live on it), and mass extinctions are two forms.

The survivors or the animals who are out of the threat of extinction have special adaptions which help them to overcome this situation. Giraffes, leopards, lions, zebras, sloths and cheetahs are some of the animals who are not threatened with extinction at present.

If extinction goes on, the food chain and also the beauty of the environment will be greatly affected. Mother Earth will be filled with dead animals and plant life. It is important that we stop harming Mother Nature's beautiful plants and animals.

Bengal tigers and Asian elephants are threatened species. Many elephants are killed in Sri Lanka on a regular basis due to the elephant-man conflict. In the past the whole mammoth family died out. They were forced into extinction by man. Today there are two kinds of elephants - the Asian elephant (elephas maximus) and the African elephant (loxodonta africana). If they too become extinct we may never see elephants again.

We have to save these animals and even plant species that are facing extinction. Don't you think so too?

Shivangi Sritharan,
Grade 3A,
St. Jude's College,
Negombo.

An educational trip to Mahiyangana

Winner:

It was July 13, the day of our annual trip. All Grade Five students participated in it. There were six buses to take us. Our class teacher and English teacher were in charge of us. Six parents also joined us. We were ready by six a.m. We observed pansil at the shrine room and then got into our buses.

First we went to Dambana. There we visited the museum. Then we visited Uruwarige Vannilaaththo, the chief of our ancestors. After that we gave them some gifts such as rice, dhal, potatoes and flour which we had taken for them. They thanked us in Sinhala.

We also played with their children. They danced the 'kirikoraha' for us. That was very exciting and interesting. After that we had lunch, which we shared with their children. We also bought some items that they had made such as bows and arrows, baskets, rings and necklaces.

Then we left Dambana and came to Mahiyangana. We worshipped at the stupa and also offered flowers at the 'buduge'. We bought ice - cream and ate. After that we visited the Sorabora wewa which our ancestor 'Bulatha' had made. It was amazingly wonderful.

After that we started our homeward journey. We sang and danced in the bus. It was one of the most interesting trip that I had ever made. I am looking forward to my next school trip.

Harshana Gopallawa,
Grade 5,
Maliyadeva Boys' College,
Kurunegala.

Make the most of school holidays

Winner:

Another school vacation has just begun. Now that you are relieved from school work, have you thought of spending the August school vacation in a meaningful way? Some children think that they should not do any studies during the school vacation. It is wrong to think so. We must engage in our studies during the vacation too. It doesn't mean that we should not play and enjoy ourselves. "Variety is the spice of life," the saying goes, so, we must do lots of activities during the vacation.

We can go on picnics or visit our relatives and friends. They will certainly help us to enjoy ourselves.We can also use the school vacation to clean our premises and also read books and newspapers to improve our knowledge.

We can make use of this time to engage in meritorious activities such as giving alms to the poor, freeing animals in captivity, especially those meant to be slaughtered, listening to Dhamma sermons and helping elders in numerous ways.

Everybody knows that present day children are very busy and are heavily engaged in competitive activities to pass examinations. They have little or no time to relax or enjoy nature. We must find time to enjoy nature. We can observe the night sky and the way animals behave.

The constant climatic changes can also be observed in a scientific angle. We can go to a sea beach and do lot of activities such as collecting seashells, building sand castles and taking a dip in the sea. However, we have to be very careful in whatever we do and ensure our safety.

My dear friends, determine to spend this school vacation in a meaningful way.

Thisari Imesha Kannangara,
Grade 10A,
St. Mary's College,
Matugama.

Importance of right speech

Winner:

Speech is very important. It is a unique gift possessed by human beings. The words we utter are very important as they can be used for good or bad purposes. When we speak to another person we should not use harsh and harmful words that would hurt the person. We must always speak politely and be careful about what we say.

Some people have the habit of speaking very harshly all the time. The Buddha has preached that if one is not at fault whatever is said and done by others does not belong to the recipient to whom it was intended to. So, it naturally belongs to the person who scolded or used the bad language.

We should always speak in a polite manner and use words such as please, thank you, sorry, excuse me, welcome and good luck.

When we converse with parents, teachers and elders, we should respect and honour them. There are special terms that we have to use when we speak to the Bhikkhus or clergy in general.

We should always speak the truth and refrain from speaking ill of a person, We must not create rifts among others by carrying tales or gossiping. It is important to speak only what is relevant and good and avoid getting into unproductive talk that could lead to many problems.

Good and kind words can do wonders. The Buddha spoke to the wild Nalagiri tusker in a kind manner and controlled the animal. Speaking well, using good words and good speech is meritorious.

As children it is important to be courteous at all times and refrain from using bad words. Elders should set an example for the youngsters and be careful of the language they use especially when children are present.

Adeesha Abeydeera,
Grade 6A,
Royal Institute,
Nugegoda.

Duties by our parents

Winner:

The word 'parents' may seem just like a seven-letter word at a glance in any English dictionary, but what a lot it means to us. Parents are two precious people who cherish us the most in the world.

We as children are so very fortunate to have two lovable people beside us. However, how well do we take care of them?

When we were very small and were not capable of doing anything for ourselves these two fantastic people were our helpers. They did everything for us. So, when they are not strong enough to do anything for themselves shouldn't we be their helpers?

Many people do not realise this and abandon their parents to sheltered corners such as elders' homes. Is this the way we show gratitude to two of the most wonderful people who cherished us? Of course NOT!

We must NEVER be ungrateful to our parents. We must look after them, give them whatever they like to have, make them happy, love them, respect them, obey them and comfort them. It is only then that they will be truly happy and feel they are greatly loved by their children.

They have sacrificed so many sleepless nights and their leisure to look after us, when we were small. They pacified us, fed us with love and cared for us. They prayed to God to give us long life and good health.

So, why not do the same for them in return? If they are sick and unable to look after themselves due to old age we should be ready to help them in whatever way we can.

Never utter a word of contempt nor repel them but address them with respect and honour. Don't raise your voice to them, command or order them to do anything.

Learn to love and care for them when they reach their old age. As children, let's be devoted towards our parents and treat them with love and respect.

Fahima Shahjehan,
Grade 7B,
Hejaaz International School.

Difficult and impossible things

There are some things which are difficult and also impossible to do in life. Some of the difficult things are to comply with the Five Precepts, live without being jealous of another's prosperity and be a trusted friend.

Another difficult task is not to get angry when others try to rule us or ignore us due to some foolishness.

To live a simple life and practise moral discipline, be able to distinguish between good and bad and follow the correct path are also difficult things to do in life.Impossible things include living in a surrounding without oxygen, to live without dying, and exist in the world without the basic or fundamental needs.

To see the beauty of the world without opening our eyes, to be born without a mother and exist in the world without the sun are also impossible things.

To make water scientifically by using hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2) is of course another impossible thing.

I believe these things are all difficult and impossible but I do not think that everybody agrees with me. If so forgive me, but you too can draw up your own list of difficult and impossible things.

Vidhatha Dhanasekera,
Grade 6,
Sussex College,
Kurunegala.