This happened in the year 2008. My grandpa had a fall. He had fractured his leg. He was in hospital for about three days and then discharged. It was a great moment for me when he came home because I had missed him. But he could not walk because he had a plaster on his leg.

My mother and father cleaned and fed him. I felt very uncomfortable because I saw that my grandpa, mother and father were all going through a tough time. As the days went by, my grandpa was unable to eat. So we called the doctor and they passed tubes through my grandpa's nose and mouth. To me it was totally unbearable.

In the morning after the tubes were put in, my father went downstairs and greeted my grandpa with the usual "Good Morning." Grandpa's eyes were open but he did not reply. My father touched my grandpa and he was cold. Then my father knew that grandpa had passed away. When I heard the news, I felt my heart turn. I knew that I would never ever see him again.

After the funeral, my mother helped me understand that we all have to leave this world someday. But I will never forget September 2, 2008. I believe my grandpa is in a better place and I will never forget him. He will always be in my heart.

I am a pencil

By Dinuka Matharaarachchi (10 years), Royal Institute International School, Nugegoda

I am just an ordinary pencil. My name is Nataraj. I have a beautiful appearance. I am red in colour with black stripes. I am made out of wood and graphite. I am very tall and thin. I was born in India. I am a very useful pencil. A pencil is an object which is needed by people.

They get different kinds of uses from me. When people use me, I get gradually shorter and shorter. People draw and write using me. Mostly I am used by students and artists. Pupils can write essays and draw beautiful pictures using me.

Now I am being used by a very good boy. My house is a wonderful pencil box. I have many friends in
different colours. My owner takes me to school everyday. Sometimes he uses me unkindly because he sharpens me all the time. So one day I will become very short and then my owner will throw me away. People should not waste pencils.

A country I would like to visit

By Ranuli Ranasinghe (9 years), Lyceum International School, Nugegoda

There are many countries in the world. So, we cannot visit all of them. Anyway there is one country that I would like to visit very much. It is Australia. Australia is the smallest continent in the world. I like to visit Australia because my father's younger sister lives there.

My aunt lives in Adelaide. But the capital of Australia is Sydney. There is a famous opera house in Sydney. I like to visit it. The Great Barrier Reef which is one of the best known coral reefs in the world is in Australia. The Murray Darling River is the longest river.

Kangaroos are found in Australia. My favourite animal is the Kangaroo. So I have a great desire to see these animals especially how they carry their young in a pouch.

My aunt has invited us to visit her so my father has promised to take us there during the December
holidays. I am eagerly waiting for this visit. I think that I am lucky because I have got the chance to make my hopes and ideas come true. I like Australia very much!

My favourite actor

By Achini Perera (Grade 8), Our Lady of Victories Convent, Moratuwa

Thomas Andrew Felton was born on September 22, 1987 in the United Kingdom. His occupation is as an actor and singer. He is best known for playing the role of 'Draco Malfoy' in the 'Harry Potter' film series. Felton started acting in commercials when he was eight years old. 'The Borrowers' and "Anna and the King' are some of his other films.

Felton is the youngest of four brothers. He lives in Surrey with his parents and three older brothers. Felton said that if he could play another character in the 'Harry Potter' films, he would play Lucius Malfoy or even Voldemort – the Dark Lord himself. He is very close friends with his Harry Potter co-stars Daniel Ratcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.

'Time well spent', 'Time isn't healing', 'One of these days', 'Under the stars', 'Right place right time', 'In my arms', 'All I need' and 'I'll be there' are some of his songs. Tom Fenton is my favourite actor and I love to watch his movies very much.