A visit to the temple

My family visited our temple before we came to Australia. We had to walk and climb. We worshipped. Mother and father were talking to the priest. I walked around and saw a room. My legs were paining. I went in and slept on a bed. It was the priest’s. My parents searched. I was not to be seen. The priest came and woke me. I was afraid. I cried. My mother came to me. Then I was happy.

If I were a bird

By Hamdi Jameel, (Grade 1), Wisdom Int., Beruwela

If I were a bird, I can fly all over the world. I can visit around Sri Lanka. Not only Sri Lanka, I can visit all the countries. As a human being I need a vehicle and a passport to travel. But if I were a bird, I can use my wings to fly. And also, no need to take a passport and visa. I can eat lots of fruits. I like to be a bird.

Dengue

By Gangani Kumarasinghe (Grade 9), Vision Int. School, Kandy

Dengue is a deadly fever, caused by a virus. There are four kinds of dengue viruses spread among humans by Aedes mosquitoes (Aedes Aegypti or Aedes Albopictus). Dengue is also known as Dandy and Breakbone fever. There is no vaccine and specific treatment for dengue. The best solution is controlling mosquitoes and reducing mosquito density.

About 50% of dengue patients are reported from the western province. They bite mainly during day time, particularly in the early hours before darkness. Potential breeding places of these mosquitoes are in tree holes, roof gutters, fallen leaves, and in tyres.

The symptoms of the dengue fever are high fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, severe headache, nausea, pain beneath the eyes, sometimes a rash. To prevent mosquito bites we should wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long sleeved shirts. Not only that but also use mosquito nets, repellents, and coils.

Today the government has taken firm legal action against the citizens who do not clean their environment and make breeding places for the mosquitoes. Therefore, these days we see everyone keeps their
environment well cleaned and as a result mosquito density has already become less.

My grandmother

By Osanda Sadathana (Grade 6), Rahula College, Matara

My grandmother’s name is Lalitha. She is a retired AGA officer. She has two daughters and one son. She is living in Matara in Nupe. She is sixty-eight years old.

She gets up early morning and worships Lord Buddha. Then she helps to cook our meals. Her hobby is gardening. She looks after us. She has a very big garden. She plays with us. She gives everything we want.

She likes to relate stories. She makes sweetmeats for us. She teaches good habits for us. She has many friends. I love my grandmother.

A nature walk

By Kirani Pathirana (9 years), Wycherley Int. School

Nature walk is a pleasant thing to do. The reason is because we can enjoy natural things. We can see different kinds of trees, animals and birds and their habits. We can enjoy the scenery which is filled with waterfalls and other beautiful things.

A nature walk is not only enjoyable, it also teaches us many things. A nature walk makes a person healthy. There is no pollution, not even a noise can be heard but only the sweet sound of nature.

I usually go for nature walks because I can see beautiful sceneries which cannot be seen everywhere.
I enjoy it too.

My hobby

By Kayaruban Thananjeyan (5+ years), St. John Bosco, Manipay

My hobby is watching Ben10 cartoons, collecting Ben10 stickers and whatever Ben10 named. I have a Ben10 watch. As I watch in the cartoon, with the Ben10 watch I can win the bad demons. I have a number of Ben10 stickers. To my school books my mother pasted Ben10 stickers. I am using a Ben10 pencil box. Father buys a Ben10 ball pen for me.

My Cherry Aunty gives me two Ben10 pencils. I have a Ben10 car and Ben 10 dolls also to play. My aunty sends me Ben10 T-shirts. Collecting Ben10 things is my hobby.

Gone too soon

By Kalani Rathnaweera (Grade 9), Holy Cross College, Gampaha

A tribute to Michael Jackson

Another year has gone,
He has left us and gone.
How could this be?
But he’s not here with us
But you are not alone
For all of us are with you,
Though we’re far apart,
You’re always in our hearts.

You were more like a king,
On our front stage,
And showed how to
Sing and dance,
On the floor, in the round.

The way you make us feel,
You turn and dance and sing,
You are the King of Pop,
We love the way you move.

This is it,
Here he dances,
He is the King of Pop for all time.

Myself

By Shahzad Dain (4 years), Athurugiriya

My name is Shahzad. I am four years old. I have a sister. She is Shuhaizee. I love her very much. She loves me too.

My cousin

By Surosh Daluwatte (Grade 2), Vidura College

My cousin’s name is Rochana. He lives in Kandy. I go to Kandy on weekends and I enjoy those trips. He likes to eat eggs with bread and some potatoes.

He goes to Dharmaraja College. He is in Grade 8 and he is thirteen years old. My best cousin is Rochana aiya. I love my cousin aiya very much and he loves me too.

My pet

By Dileshna Perera (6 years), St. Lawrence’ Convent

My pet is a cat. My pet’s name is Kitty. It is brown in colour. It likes to eat fish. I love my kitty very much.

Performing Arts Evening

By Rashvin Senanayake (7 years), British School in Colombo

It was the Performing Arts Evening at our school. We were having it in the auditorium. I was in Key Stage 1 and we were singing, so we went first as the choir. The song we sang first was called ‘I can see clearly now the rain is gone’. For the second song ‘Oh blady oh blady’, I acted as Desmond, and Molly was my friend Sahara. Then we sang the third song which was a Sinhala song called ‘Le kiri karala’.

After that our class did a Mexican dance. The Year 2(S) class did a Caribbean dance with the boys wearing coloured shirts and shorts. The girls wore skirts. The Year 2(T) class danced to a Michael Jackson song wearing silver hats that sparkled. All the parents and teachers enjoyed our show.

My trip to Yala

By Dilanka Wimaladharma (8 years), Royal Institute, Nugegoda

We went to Yala last April. We went in a van. It was a long journey. We went to a bungalow. It was a very beautiful place. There was a blue sea near the bungalow.

Everyday in the evening we went to see the animals. One evening we saw a leopard attacking a buffalo. Then a herd of wild boar came running at the leopard. The leopard went up a tree and the wild boar ate the buffalo.

We went to the museum and saw a lot of dead animals like crocodiles, leopards, peacocks, peahens, bears and elephants. It was a very funny trip and an interesting place. I like wildlife very much.

A terrible day

By Jaishani Amarasekara (Grade 3), Gateway College, Rajagiriya

My day starts with a yawn. I look out of my window and see the sun shine bright. Birds are singing and the flowers are waving. A fine day like that was destroyed by dark, ugly clouds and rain
falling down.

The sun was blocked and the lights went out. Thunder blasted around and lightning flashed. And most unhappily, the flowers were blown away by the strong fierce wind. My garden was ruined and destroyed.

After these terrible moments the dark clouds started to move away and the sun came out. I ran out with great welcome and danced all around my garden. That night I prayed to God never to bring a day like that ever again.

Michael Jackson

By Nishara Gonaduwa (Grade 8), Musaeus College

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 at Indiana Gary in the USA. Catherine Jackson and Joe Jackson are his parents. Michael has five brothers and three sisters.

Michael Jackson sang his first song when he was eleven years old. Gradually he became very popular all over the world. He was not only a singer but a dancer and an entertainer as well.

He wrote and sang so many songs to make people happy. ‘Beat it,’ ‘Billie Jean,’ ‘You are not alone,’ ‘Thriller,’ are some of them. Michael amazed people by introducing the Moonwalk, Hatwalk and his other
amazing dancing moves to the world.

His albums are Off the Wall -1985, Thriller -1991, Bad -1995, Dangerous -1999, Invincible - 2001, History - 2005. The Thriller album became the most popular out of all. ‘This is it’ came out in 2009.

He won 13 Grammy and so many other awards for his remarkable achievements. He later became very famous and known to all as “The King of Pop”. We appreciate his dedication to the world.

Unfortunately on June 25, 2009 he died from a sudden cardiac arrest leaving all the hopes of his fans at a standstill. Michael will remain in our hearts forever.

Me

By Shaariqah Ismath (9 years), Minerat High School

I like myself.
Because I am pretty
and sweet
But I have a flat nose
Which is like my feet
Still I like myself
Because this is me!