
Winner:
I like to be...
I like to be a water drop,
To flow in a river,
When it falls to the sea,
My life is over.
I like to be a paddy seed,
Where women cook me and my friends,
When people eat us deliciously,
My life is over.
I like to be a star in the sky,
Which lights automatically,
But when the sun rises,
My life is over.
Rather than be,
A water drop, paddy seed,
Or a star in the sky,
I like to be myself!
D.K.Samuditha Deshan Amarasinghe,
Grade 7 - 10,
Ananda College, Colombo.
[Winner:]
The White House
The White House is the official residence of the President of the
United States of America. It is situated in Washington DC. When this
building was constructed, it was not white nor was it called White
House.
It was designed by an Irish-born architect James Hoban. The
foundation stone was laid on October 13, 1792 and the construction was
completed in 1800. The house was originally built with grey stones.
Since then it has been the official residence of the President of the
USA.
During the war, it was burnt down by the British troops on August 24,
1814. Only a small part of it was left standing. On Hobon’s instructions
the building was reconstructed and completed in 1817. In order to cover
up the fire and smoke stains, the walls of the building were painted
white. After that the building came to be called the White House. But,
this was not the official name until 1902 when President Theodore
Roosevelt adopted it.
The White House has three storeys and 100 rooms. The rooms have
different colours. For example oval shaped blue room is the reception
room for guests of President and his wife. The red room is furnished
with objects of the empire ages. There is a rose guest room upstairs
where the President and his family lives.
Dinushi Bope Bandara,
Grade 9A,
Royal International School,
Mawathagama.
[Winner]
Wonders of electricity
Electricity is an important utility in our daily life. It can produce
heat, light and sound. In the olden days life was hard, without
electricity. The houses were lit with oil lamps during the night. We
should be thankful to Thomas Alva Edison for inventing the electric
bulb. We can now light our houses with electric bulbs. Students can
study even during the night with the help of the electric bulbs.
The work of housewives has become so easy with electric kitchen
appliances such as electric cookers, grinders, blenders, ovens and
refrigerators.
During hot weather we can use electric fans and airconditioners. In
cold countries they use electric heaters instead of fireplaces. There
are household appliances such as polishers, vacuum cleaners, irons,
dishwashers and washing machines that work with electricity.
We use electricity to listen to the radio and to watch television.
They are useful to gain knowledge, to know what is happening around the
world and also for entertainment. The lifestyle of mankind has improved
a lot due to the wonders of electricity.
M.A.Nimesh Perera,
Grade 10 D,
Sri Dharmaloka Central College,
Kelaniya.
The bird that
I would like to be
I like to be a hawk. If I become a hawk I can soar high up in the
sky. When I see a farm full of chickens I can swoop down to catch the
prey. Children will be very fond of me because I am being shown in the
discovery channels. I can be very proud that some bike manufacturers use
my name for some bike brands such as “Honda Hawk.” I wish to become a
hawk due to these reasons.
Manula Weerarathne,
Grade 5,
Lyceum International School, Gampaha.
[Winner]
Value of trees
Trees are an integral part of our environment. Both man and the
animals cannot live without trees. A tree serves us in many ways. We get
fruits, timber and medicine from the trees. Trees provide us shelter. We
get the most needed rain because of trees. It beautifies our
environment. They stop soil erosion too. Trees are useful not only to
human beings but also to the animals. Birds build their nests on trees.
We know that the main cause of the drought is the cutting of trees.
When we cut trees, water fountains run dry. Most people have not
realised the value of trees. Illegal felling of trees is common today.
It is true that sometimes we need to cut trees. But, we must plant other
trees in place of that. It takes only one or two hours to cut a tree.
But, it takes several years to grow a tree.
The forest cover in Sri Lanka has been reduced to 20 percent today.
Even the forest reserves that protected by the government are destroyed
by certain money -minded persons.
Trees can be regarded as a gift of nature to man and animals.
Therefore, we should preserve them forever. If we cut trees in this
manner, our country will become a desert before long.
Let us save the trees that save us.
Shirleen Dhanushka Titus,
Grade 10E,
St. Anne’s Balika MV, Wattala.
[Winner]
Cinderella, the movie
When I was small my mother read me the Cinderella story. It was a
beautiful story. Then when I grew up, I read the book on my own with
beautiful pictures.
My mother and my grandmother took me and my sister to see the
Cinderella movie recently. It was interesting to watch the characters
you read come alive. The colourful gardens, pretty flowers, exciting
animals, handsome prince, the wicked stepmother, horrible stepsisters,
enchanting palace and the most graceful Cinderella in the wonderful blue
dress came to my mind.
Cinderella and the prince danced beautifully across the ballroom.
Everybody was speechless. I was really fascinated by the glass shoes.
They were simply beautiful.
I really enjoyed the Cinderella movie.
Indumini Yasasmi Samayadasa,
Grade 3Q,
Asian International School,
Colombo 5.
William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth was a famous poet in the 16th Century. He lived in
Wales of England. He lived near the Windermere lake. His residence could
be visited even today. He was a lover of nature and wrote many poems.
Once he wrote a poem titled ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud.’
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Even today if we go to England and visit this place we can see how
the yellow daffodils dance in the breeze. He wrote another beautiful
poem which I like the most titled 'The solitary reaper.’
Behold her, single in the field,
Yon solitary Highland Lass!
Reaping and singing by herself;
Stop here, or gently pass!
Alone she cuts and binds the grain,
And sings a melancholy strain;
O listen! for the Vale profound Is overflowing with the sound.
William Wordsworth was a great poet. I wish that all of us could be
great poets like him.
Chathumi Sandanima,
Grade 6,
Sussex College, Matara.
I have a cat
I have a cat,
Smart and fat.
It always eats rats,
And I love my cat.
My cat stretches its legs,
Its a lazy cat.
It eats the dinner,
And goes to bed.
She is very playful,
Fights with the other cats.
It drinks milk everyday,
Except on Poya days.
When she sees a dog,
She runs away in fear.
When mother comes near,
She sleeps in fear.
I will not feel tired,
Playing with her.
When I study my lessons,
She sleeps next to me.
Rometh Ariyarathna,
Grade 7D,
Thurstan College, Colombo. |