How a person acts or behaves is his character. A person can be of a good, bad or exemplary character. As students we should follow an exemplary character. It may be your father, mother, teachers or someone special.

For me, it is Mahela our cricket captain. He leads his team very well to win matches. He is disciplined and speaks softly to his players. He is very intelligent too. He changes his bowlers at the right time to get wickets and changes the fielders correctly.

He is very polite to the opposite team-mates. When he wins matches all the Sri Lankan people are proud of him, but he is not proud and gives credit to the whole team. Because of all of these reasons, I like him very much. When I grow up I want to be like him.

My picnic

By Anthony Jonarthanan (13 years), Kotahena

Last Sunday we went on a picnic to Kandy. Our class teacher took us early morning at 8 o'clock. We went to school and from there we started our trip to Kandy.

On the way we had breakfast. In the bus we danced and sang songs. Some of the boys brought sweets and cake. We enjoyed it. On the way we went to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. There we saw big and small elephants.

The big elephants were doing hard work carrying big trees and carrying people. We also saw the elephants having their bath.

Then we travelled to the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. There was a lake nearby and we went on a boat there. I enjoyed riding in the boat. We also saw a lot of women plucking tea leaves.

They carried baskets on their backs. We had our lunch at a hotel in the city of Kandy. We all enjoyed ice-cream. At 3 o'clock we started our journey back. We were all tired and some kids slept in the bus. I can't forget this picnic to Kandy. I was so very happy.

An unforgettable day

By Haafiza Faizal (14 years), Holy Family Convent, Dehiwala

The first day of school was a very important day for me. My mother woke me up early. She was very busy that day. She dressed me up with a blue tie and new shoes and gave me a new bag. The table was full of sweets, milk-rice, plaintains, etc. At the auspicious time, she took me out of the house. I went to my new school with both of my parents.

My class teacher was very kind. I offered a sheaf of betel to her and worshipped her. She blessed me. She introduced me to my friends. They were so pretty and joyful. I can remember that day joyfully. It was an unforgettable day for me.

My sister

By Ravin Peiris (5 years), St. Peter's College

My sister's name is Amasha. She is eight years old. She goes to St. Bridget's Convent. She likes to fight with me. I think she is the naughtiest girl in the class. But I love my sister.

Lord Buddha

By Shenali Wijesinghe (9 years), Asian International School

O Lord Buddha with powers of all kind
We worship you, we worship you
You have a powerful mind.

O Great One we venerate you
Right now, right here
At this rate

O Lord Buddha we remember your Birth,
Enlightenment and Pari-nibbana

O Great One we try with all our worth
To find our way to peace and happiness
Like you O Blessed One!

A funny thing that happened to me

By Dilmi Sooriyaarachchi (12 years), Ecole Internationale, Kandy

There are many experiences which happen to us in our life. It may be happy, sad or funny experiences. This is a funny thing which happened to me.

It was a holiday. We invited friends for lunch. When they arrived, I asked my mother if I can make some soft drinks for them. My mother agreed and I was so delighted. I ran to the kitchen. I found the things I needed and started to make it.

I poured some water into the jug. I added two drink packets and four spoons of sugar and stirred it well.
I squeezed a bit of lime into it and poured it into the glasses. I put some straws into it and arranged it on the tray.

I served them the juice proudly and was standing in a corner. They drank it and made various faces looking at me. I was wondering what was wrong.

Then my mother said that instead of putting sugar I have put salt and the drink is salty. I felt ashamed when they were laughing.

My unforgettable day

By Sewmini Suganthi (Grade 2) Gettuwana M.V., Kurunegala

November 7, 2008 is my unforgettable day. Why is it? That is because I could travel by train in the railway engine.

I had a dream that one day I must travel by train in the railway engine. I could fulfill my desire on that day, so I should be most grateful to the engine driver and his assistant for allowing me to travel in it.

Having seen the environment, I enjoyed very much. I was very happy. For me it is a red letter day.

Sri Lanka surrounded by the sea

By Gimhani Waduge (Grade 8) Carmel Girls' Central College, Chilaw

Sri Lanka is surrounded by the sea. In some places the edge of the sea has coral rocks like in Chilaw. Then the water breaks there and sprays upwards. This is a very eye-catching scene. In some places like Hikkaduwa, we can bathe and wade up to the corals.

Corals are houses of some aquatic animals which live in the bottom of the sea. Some people try to break corals. It destroys the beauty of nature. Even though we are surrounded by water, we cannot drink a drop of it as it tastes salty. Fishermen earn their living through the sea.

In Hambantota and Puttalam people obtain salt by evaporating sea water. So that way the sea is a good natural resource for the people living along the coastal area.

The most fascinating scene you can see when you go to the beach in the evening is the sunset. You see the sun like a golden red ball being swallowed by the sea.

We think the sea is such a good and kind, beautiful thing of nature. But so many people were destroyed by the tsunami, the tidal wave that came from the sea.

Some times so rough,
Some times so calm,
Some times so sweet,
Some times so wicked,

This is the nature of the SEA.

My best cousin

By Mihin Ambanpola (Year 2), C.I.S. Kandy

My best cousin's name is Sachintha, but I call him Sachi Aiya. He is fourteen years old. My cousin is in Auckland in New Zealand. He is taller than anyone in his family. Sachi Aiya always listens to his father and mother.

He gave me his Gameboy to play with when I was in New Zealand. He helped me to ride his bike and helped me to get up when I fell down. Sachi Aiya took me to the BMX track where there were bike races.
I like my cousin because he does funny things and makes us laugh.