We went on a trip to the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum on December 26. It is in Koggala. On our way we stopped at Hikkaduwa for a nice boat trip to see the beautiful corals and fish.

At the folk museum we saw a lot of traditional equipment used by the ancient people for their trades. Among them was equipment for farming, fishing, pottery etc. Outside were a lot of bullock carts used by them to carry their goods from place to place and for travelling.

Next we went to the place where Martin Wickramasinghe was born. We saw his bed, his spectacles, the room where he was born, the place where he wrote his books and many others. We saw the books that he wrote. He is a famous author among children and adults.

He has written Madol Duwa, Apey Gama and many other books on different topics and subjects.

Both the museum and the house are situated on a large land with a lot of coconut and cadju trees. On our way we bought some books written by Martin Wickramasinghe, from the outlet there. I was happy to buy books which I had not read. Also I am very happy to have learnt about Martin Wickramasinghe and his books. I think all children should visit this place.

How I spend my day

By Kithmini Cooray (Grade 6), Methodist College

I spend my five day week in school from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. After school, it's about 2.45 p.m. when I reach home.

I have a time table to spend the rest of my day. After lunch, I spend about one hour doing odd things such as reading, writing and playing with my Pomeranian dog, Teddy.

After that I devote some time to do my school work. At about 5 p.m. I watch TV till 6 p.m. after that I do the rest of my homework. After my dinner I brush my teeth and attend to the family prayers and go to bed.

My favourite hobby

By Shaariqah Ismath (7 years), Minaret High School

My favourite hobby is to read storybooks. That is my hobby when I am bored. My sister loves this hobby too. So we go to the British Council to borrow books every month.

My sister and I started reading when we were four years old. From that time we both love storybooks. So my mother and father bought us more books than toys. At school also there are storybooks in the classroom. I love all the books that my parents buy for me. And I love my mother and father for buying books.

Madagascar - Escape 2 Africa

By Vuthranjanie and Pusparaj Sujeesvaran. Hindu Ladies College and Bambalapitya Hindu College, Colombo

The Funday Times Club Members had a marvellous Christmas gift for this Christmas 2008. It was the film Madagascar 2. I was very happy because.

I also enjoyed this Christmas gift. My father went to the Funday Times office and got me and my sister a ticket. On December 28, my sister, mother, father and I went to Majestic City to watch the film.

The characters are Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo. My favourite is Gloria the hippo. There were many great scenes in this film. There was definitely a lot of interesting bits about Marty. Baby Alex was the main interesting character. It was very funny and I felt that I was
sitting among all the characters.

I thank the Funday Times for giving me and other members an amusing film for Christmas, and thank you for the valuable vouchers to buy books from Vijitha Yapa bookshop. It was a wonderful December evening that I won't forget. Once again thank you Funday Times! Happy New Year to all the aunts and uncles of Funday Times!