Wonders mean something fascinating created by mankind. The modern wonders of the world are; Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro, Colosseum, Great Wall of China, Petra, Machu Pichu, Chichen Itza and the
Taj Mahal.

The statue of Christ stands over 39m tall, overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Designed by Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski it is one of the world's best monuments.

The great amphitheatre in the centre of Rome was built to give favours to successful warriors and celebrate glory. Virtually every modern sports stadium still bears the imprint of the Colosseum's original design.

The Great Wall was built to link existing fortifications into a united defence system to keep invading Mongol tribes out of China. It is the largest man-made structure ever built. It is even visible from space.

On the edge of the Arabian desert, Petra was the glittering city of King Aredas IV. It had a theatre, swimming pools and a monastery. The great Inca Emperor Pachacuti built the city in the clouds called Machu Picchu. It was abandoned due to smallpox and the Spanish invasion and later re-discovered in 1911.

Chichen Itza is a Mayan temple city and was the centre of the Mayan empire. Its various structures can still be seen today. The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan to honour his late wife. It was built with white marble. We must protect these wonderful places for future generations.

My grandmother

By Sahlah Shahal (Grade 2), Ilma International Girls' School

My grandmother's name is Salma. She is fair and tall. Her hair is curly and long. She wears sarees. She has two grandchildren.

She can cook delicious food. On every Friday, she cooks Biriyani for me. When she goes to do shopping, she takes me as well. When I do well in my exams she surprises me with Barbie dolls and other toys.

She tells me stories to make me fall asleep. She never scolds me or hits me. I call her "Umma" like my mother does. She loves me a lot. She is the best grandmother in the world. I love her very much.

The fairy on the strawberry tree

By Harseni Hewavitharne (7 years), Ladies College

The fairy on the strawberry tree likes to dance and ride bees. The fairy on the strawberry tree is called Twinkle Toes. She loves to peep into holes in the strawberry tree trunk. She sees more fairies and she tries to make friends with them. Twinkle Toes likes to play with them too! I see her and her friends always on the strawberry tree.

My younger brother

By Susal Dabarera (8 years), St. Peter's College

My younger brother's name is Ranaka and he is three years old. He is very naughty and playful. He has a bike but he is not riding it, only pushing. When we are doing our school homework he pulls our books and runs away. He can talk a little, but not a lot.

He likes to eat ice-cream and chocolate. He calls ice-cream "Yum." Most of the people say he is just like my father. He has curly hair. We can not comb it because it's very thick. He is a very cute brother and I pray to God to protect him from all dangers.

Our Inter-House Sportsmeet

By Muqaddasa Wahid (Grade 5), Buddhist Ladies' College

The inter-house sportsmeet of Buddhist Ladies College was held on February 18, 2010 at the NCC Grounds, Colombo 7. We have four houses called Gothami, Maya, Sirimavo and Yashodara.

First of all, the participants took the oath from our school sports captain, and the sports captains of the four houses lit the Olympic Torch. Then there was the first awards ceremony.

The events were; Flat Races, Baton Relays, Netball Shooting, Skipping, Double Skipping, Gymnastic Display, Drill Display, Teachers' Race, Parents Race, Minor Staff Race etc. I participated in the Netball Shooting and the Drill Display. The Drill Display was very colourful.

The Gymnastics Display was very skillful. The Parents Race, the Minor Staff Race and the Teachers' Race were very funny.

After lots of events the sportsmeet ended. First, second, third and fourth place went respectively to Maya, Yashodara, Gothami and Sirimavo. It was an unforgettable day.

Value of sports

By Eresha Mapa (14 years), St. Paul's B.M.V., Kelaniya

Everyone likes to play. Not only children, young ones and adults also like to play. Sports develop not only our physical faculty but also our mental faculty.

There are various kinds of sports like badminton, tennis, hockey, netball, volleyball, cricket, swimming and many more. Among them cricket is the most popular sport in Sri Lanka. Our national sport is volleyball but it is not as popular as cricket today.

Sports teach us good things. We can learn to work as a group. We can learn to accept victory or defeat without pride or disappointment. Sports teach us team spirit and fair play. We can learn about friendship also. Obedience to rules and regulations is another good thing that sports teaches us. By doing sports we can be adventurous. We can face any challenges at anytime.

Modern medicine has shown the importance of taking part in sports. Diabetes, high blood pressure and strokes are some of the diseases that we can get if we do not take part in sports activities and exercise our bodies. It is said that 'a healthy mind can be found in a healthy body.'

My cousin sister

By Maheesha Gooneratne (Grade 3), Vidura College

My cousin sister's name is Chamethya. She is six years old. She goes to Visakha Vidyalaya. She is very tall like a coconut tree. She is very fair. She likes to watch television. Her favourite TV program is Barney.

Her birthday is on November 6. She has a baby brother. Her hobby is dancing. She likes to eat apples. I love my cousin sister a lot and she loves me too.

Blue Whale - The largest animal on earth

By Namodh Edirisinghe (8 years) College Street Normal School, New Zealand

There are about 18,000 species of fish in the oceans around the world. Other than fish, mammals such as whales, dolphins, seals, walrus and otters also live in the sea. Out of all the animals that live in land, sea and air, Blue whales are the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth.

These magnificent marine mammals are about 30 metres long, which is equal to the height of 10 elephants. An adult blue whale weighs about 200 tonnes, the same weight of about 50 elephants. Blue whales can fit two school buses into their mouths. Their tongue weighs about 2 elephants and the heart weighs as much as a car.

Blue whales live in all the world's oceans. When a blue whale breaths out, the spray from its blowhole can reach nearly nine metres into the air. A single blue whale eats about four tonnes of krill (a kind of small fish) a day! Their lifespan is 80 – 90 years. Blue whales can hear ther mates calling 1,000 miles away.

Even though blue whales are the biggest animals in the whole wide world, unfortunately, they are endangered. So we should stop killing these huge creatures and should protect them.

Ozone layer

By Wishmin Chamanga (Grade 9), Sussex College, Kurunegala

The ozone layer is in the second part of the atmosphere, which is known as the stratosphere. It protects living beings from the ultra violet rays of the sun which can cause severe damage to all living creatures.

Unfortunately, this is getting destroyed by the carelessness of the cruel human beings. They produce new technologies like refrigerators and other electric appliances. The most effective things are sprays and deodorants which produce chloro fluoro carbon, nitrous oxide gases and are sent to the air.

These harmful gases make holes in the ozone layer. As a result, harmful ultra violet rays come direct to the earth which is very harmful to all living creatures. So I think it is the duty of all, to think of ways and means by which to stop this destruction and to find a solution to stop the destruction of this most valuable ozone layer.

An education trip

By Nuflan Iqbal (13 years), Kandy Grammar School

On February 20, 2010, the students of Grades 7, 8 and 9 went on an educational trip to Colombo. We were hoping to visit the Planetarium, the Water World and the Birds' Park.

We got into the bus at 6 a.m. In the bus we sang songs and we danced. We had our breakfast inside the bus. We reached Colombo at about 8 a.m.

First we visited the Planetarium. Our guides explained to us about the solar system, the planets and their orbits. Then we were told to go into the dark room. There they showed us the moon, the sun and other planets using a projector.

Next we went to the Water World. We saw many kinds of fish and other aquatic organisms. The most attractive thing we saw there was a big, red jellyfish. We spent about three hours.

Then we went near the entrance of the Birds' Park and had our lunch. After lunch we saw lots of birds. They were in different colours. After having a nice time in the Birds' Park, we went to the beach.

We played on the seashore and bought wadai from a shop. Then it was about 6 p.m., so we got into the bus. When we returned from our journey all were asleep.

The day I played a piano

By Dewmini Sirithunga (Year 5), Sacred Heart Convent, Galle

I have a piano but didn't know to play it. My mother put me into a music practice class. It is on Saturday at 11.45 a.m.

First I didn't know anything about piano. And after so many days I played a song and I was so happy. Now I have played so many songs.

I try to play more songs and also I love my piano.

Plants

By Udani Wijayasooriya (12 years), Kekirawa Central College

Plants are valuable things in our environment. In our day to day life definitely we want plants. Every
animal and man gets oxygen from plants. Sri Lanka has many valuable trees such as kohomba, sandun, coconut, nuga, na, burutha, thekka etc.

Plants are wanted not only by man but also animals. Plants supply medicine, food, furniture etc. We can plant flowers in our gardens for beauty. But see at present people try to destroy our valuable plants by cutting, selling etc. Without plants the earth is like a desert. We should try to protect plants as our lives.

My father

By Supul Muhandiram (Grade 8), Bandaranayake College, Gampaha

He is a steady man,
Who is not a football of others' opinions,
He is a kind man,
Who gets angry at times.

He is a great lawyer,
Who can win,
He is a great father,
Who can love.

He is the hero,
Of my life.
He is a lovable father,
I can trust.

My puppy

By Nelani Silva (5 years) Cherub's Montessori Home, Ganemulla

I have a brown, nice puppy. He loves Mallie very much. Mallie eats pizza every night. He gives puppy some for dinner.