The proud rose

12 - 14 years

The sun shone brightly one morning. Bees and butterflies were flying around, humming their best tunes. The rose unfolded its petals one by one. Its pink colour was so pretty.

She looked around. There were hundreds of blooming buds surrounding her. But it was no match to her elegance, she thought.

"I'm the loveliest in the garden." She kept her head straight with no pleasant smiles. She thought she would attract all the bees and butterflies. She could smell the fragrance of other flowers, wafting along the wind. Her friends nearby smiled with her, but she ignored them.

She noticed the bees and butterflies whispering sweet things to the other flowers. They seemed very happy. They were listening to the rhythm of their small friends' songs.

The rose held her chin up showing no interest in others. The sun was so bright and hot. She could not bear up the heat. But she did not want to cling to the nearby bush to get some shade. Others welcomed each other's company to survive.

In the middle of the day the rose began to wither. She could not enjoy the day. The lovely day was gone without any happiness. She could not play with the bees, butterflies or birds; or listen to their humming and chirping.

"I was not lucky enough to enjoy any free gift of nature," she thought watching the petals lying on the ground one by one.

Navoda Wickramasinghe
(12 years)
Musaeus College

War is the winner

Though there are many hopes,
Dreams and plans for a tranquil era,
Yet, war is the winner.

Many proposals and agreements,
Are made each and every month,
But each one creaks and bends,
All end up in the dump.

War is yet the victor,
Peace is sadly driven astray,
Much to the bitter languor,
Terrorism gets its prey.

Oh! Woe betide the irksome war,
May serenity befall our country.
Let us all make the hatred flee,
Succour Sri Lanka, become an affluent
community.

Suchithra Withanage
(11 years)
Lyceum International School

My favourite national hero

9 - 12 years

My favourite national hero is Madduma Bandara. He showed his heroism to the world at the young age of nine. His brave words and his heroic act gave our nation a cause to be proud, proud of our 'Sinha' blood.

Madduma Bandara was the second son of Ehelapola, who was Minister to Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. The king suspected Ehelapola of scheming to usurp the crown, which was a serious allegation. Ehelapola fled to the English. The king in his anger, sought revenge, by ordering the Ehelapola family to be killed. The order was executed on May 17, 1814.

Seeing Lokubandara's fear, Madduma Bandara came forward and said, "Aiyandi, do not be afraid. I will show you how to die." He imperiously ordered the executioner to cut off his head. The moment his head touched the ground, a national hero was born; A hero who will live in history for centuries to come.

Aparna Amarasekera
(11 years)
Musaeus College