Sherlock Holmes is the world's most famous fictional detective. The character of Sherlock Holmes was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, an eye specialist. As he didn't earn enough money as an eye specialist, he turned to writing. He became famous after he started writing detective stories.

The character of Sherlock Holmes was based on one of Doyle's teachers at Edinburgh University, Dr. Joseph Bell. Sherlock Holmes was first introduced to the public in Doyle's 'A study in Scarlet' which was
published in Beeton's Christmas Annual in 1887.

Dr. Watson is a close friend of Sherlock Holmes and at one time shared a flat with him. Most of the stories are narrated by Watson. He was a great admirer of Sherlock even though he did not have Sherlock's powers of deduction.

Doyle, who had become tired of the success of his detective, decided to kill him off in 'The Final Problem', but he was forced to bring him back to life by the clamours of the British public. Sherlock Holmes fame is so wide-spread that most of the detectives you find in stories today are probably imitations of Doyle's stories.

My country

By Akindu Karunaratne (Grade 3), S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia

The name of my country is Sri Lanka. It is an island. It is in the Indian Ocean. It is also known as the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean.' The National Day of our country is on February 4.

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. There are many rivers, lakes and pretty waterfalls. The longest river is the Mahaweli. The tallest mountain is Piduruthalagala. I love my country very much.

My father

By Tharaka Perera (Grade 7), Kingston College International, Mutwal

My father's name is National Perera. He has two brothers and four sisters. He studied at Pamunugama Maha Vidyalaya and Kotahena Central. He studied up to A/L's. He has been to three countries.

My father always helps others. He has many friends. He is a kind person. He helps me in my studies. He likes to eat apples. He works in our garden and home.

My father is special to me. "You told me right from wrong. You work hard to earn money. I thank you Father, for everything you gave me. I wish you all the best on Father's Day. I respect and love you."

Dedicated to my ever-loving father, National Perera.

My school

By Ayshamariam Ifhaam (Grade 1), Belvoir College International

My school's name is Belvoir College International. Our school has two sections, one is at Dr. Lester James Peiris Mawatha and the other is at Galle Road, Bambalapitiya.

Our Principal Mrs. C.K. Weerasekera and our Warden Mr. M.P. Alwis are the great guiding lights of our school.

There are girls and boys studying in our school. All the teachers in my school are very kind and very clever.
My school has a lovely swimming pool and a nice play area. We have many games in our school.

It has a beautiful garden too. Our school has all the important facilities to study well. I love my school very much.

Listening to Music

By Demi Pereira (Grade 8), Convent of Our Lady of Victories, Moratuwa

Music is a medicine to all human beings because it gives us the mental and physical satisfaction we need. Music also helps to get rid of the stress in our day to day lives. Music can be listened to by any person such as kids, teenagers and adults. Usually kids like to listen to rhymes and teenagers listen to
contemporary music like pop and rock. Adults like classical music. So, there are various kinds of music. Even infants like music.

My mother says that when I was small the doctor advised her to make me listen to music. Thereafter I never cried in the evenings. Most people listen to music as a hobby. When they feel lonely and bored they listen to music so that they feel better.

You can find so many talented artists who have made their career a better one through music. Once you start following in their footsteps you can also be a better artist. So music as a part of our lives is very important. If there were nothing called music, what a disaster that would be? So, let's listen to music as a habit and enjoy life!

The parrot

By Vinodya Ediriweera (Grade 3), Defence Services College, Colombo 2

The parrot is a beautiful bird. Its beak is red. The wings are green. There is a red line around its neck.
The parrot eats fruit and grain as food. It lays eggs in the hollows in trees.

Parrots live in flocks. Some tame parrots can talk. Children call it by the pet name "Peththappu.

My mother

By D. L. Dinup (Grade 5), St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya

My mother's name is Dinesha Anukshi De Silva. She is a teacher at St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya. She cooks tasty food for us. She keeps our house very clean.

She is very kind and beautiful. She has nice long hair. She tells me interesting stories. I enjoy them very much. My mother's hobby is reading. During her leisure time she reads books.

She always encourages me to study well and gives me very good advice. She tries her best to keep my family happy. My mother is my best friend. May almighty God bless her with good health and long life!

From an overseas reader

We must save water

By Nethaka Amarakoon, Ashmore State School, Australia

• When brushing your teeth close the tap.
• When having a shower and you are putting soap, off the tap.
• When watering the garden and not using the tap hosepipe, close it.