My favourite toy

My favourite toy is a car. It is a small red car. It works with a remote controller. It has six ash coloured windows. It can go fast. My father gave it to me for my seventh birthday. I like to play with my car very much.

The rainbow

By Mohammed Rifkan (8 years), Lexicon Int. School, Kurunegala

A rainbow is a beautiful sight. It is an arch of coloured light in the sky. To see this, rain and sunshine should occur at the same time. What makes a rainbow? Sunlight is made up of seven colours. Violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red are the colours.

When a ray of light is passed through a prism it splits into these seven colours. Similarly, the falling drops of rain act like small prisms. They split up the white sunlight into its seven colours. We see them in the rainbow.

It is a bow or an arch, made by the rain. That is the main reason that there must be rain and sunshine at the same time for the formation of a rainbow. When the rain ceases, or the sun goes in, the rainbow fades away.

Australia

By Lakindu Kariyawasam (Grade 4), Richmond College, Galle

Australia is a huge country. The capital city is Canberra. The Parliament House is in Canberra. The commercial capital is Sydney. It is a commonwealth country. The national flag contains St. George’s Cross and seven stars. The Prime Minister is Ms. Julia Guillard.

Australia is divided into eight states. They are Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, ACT (Australian Capital Territory) and Tasmania.

Australia is very rich. Its currency is the Australian dollar. The land is rich in natural gas, gold, diamonds and minerals. They grow wheat, grapes, apples and oranges. Its main exports are gold, diamonds, natural gas, iron ore and meat products.

Most of Australia is desert. The biggest rock in the world ‘Uluru’ is in Australia.The Murray Darling River System is the biggest river in Australia. The iconic harbour bridge and Opera House are in Sydney.
I lived in Perth (Capital of Western Australia) for two years, because my parents went there for their post graduate studies.

I studied at Hollywood Primary School in Nedlands. I love the beautiful country Australia.

Great scientists who won the world

By Nirmani Dasanayake (12 years), Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy

Scientists are great people who are honoured and admired by everyone. They’ve changed the world by inventing great machines and finding various things which are a great help to the busy man today.

Albert Einstein, Charles Babbage, Thomas Alva Edison. John Logie Baird, Sir Isaac Newton and Sir Charles Darwin are some of the great scientists who have contributed to the development of science, technology and the world.

The computer is a great invention of Charles Babbage. It’s a great help to the global village concept too. Alexander Graham Bell invented the first telephone which is a great communication system today.

The television is a great leisure spending equipment for man. Thanks to John Logie Baird. These scientists have changed the daily routine of man too. But they have done a great job.

Trees

By By Shakya Perera (Year 2) Gateway Int. College, Kandy

Trees have many uses. Trees give us food, rain, shade, medicine, wood and fruits. It helps us to live. Birds and animals make their homes in trees. We must treat the trees well.

Flowers

By Dinali Wijesinghe (8 years), Vishaka B.M.M.V., Bandarawela

There are lots of flowers in our country. Some of them are roses, shoeflowers, lotus etc. In our garden too, there are lots of flowers.

I like to grow flowers. I like flowers very much. My grandfather helps me with my gardening. Flowers are very beautiful. In flowers there are petals. There are different coloured flowers. Flowers give a nice smell. I love flowers very much.

My pet

By Avindra Ranasinghe (8 years), Kegalle Vidyalaya

My pet is a dog. Its name is Tiny. It is white and brown in colour. Tiny likes to eat meat and rice. It is fat. I like its nice bark. Everyday it plays with me. I love my dog Tiny.

My teacher

By Binadi Almeida (Grade 2), Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda

My teacher’s name is Miss. Kaushalya. She is tall. She is very kind. She is fair. She teaches us very well. She has long hair. She teaches us Sinhala and Maths. I love my teacher very much.

My grandfather

By Sumaiya Hassen (11 years), Ilma Int., Girls’ School

He is old
But looks so young
Can anyone of you guess why? Because…

He is handsome
So, flexible, religious,
courageous etc
A principal who has visited other countries too

He is kind and calm
And loves his grandchildren too
He is very educated
And a librarian too

He has a series of books
Those are the stuff of Oxford and Macmillan
His name is Abdul Gaffor Mohammed Sufian
He is fair and strong
I love him

My grandmother

By Dayan Samarasinghe (8 years), S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia

My grandmother died one month ago. She was my mother’s mother. I called her Aththamma. She lived with Seeya, in their own home. She was principal in many girls’ schools.

Aththamma has bought me a lot of books, clothes and many other gifts. She read stories to me. Aththamma has told me and my cousin brother that we are like her two eyes. She has told us that we have to grow up to be two good boys.

I used to sing ‘Goodnight Darling” to her on the telephone everyday before I went to bed at night. She loved this song very much.

Aththamma was the first to call me when she saw my articles in the Funday Times. I wish she lived to see this article too. I was so lucky to have my Aththamma even for only eight years. I miss her a lot!

My favourite singer

By Thanushi Kaluarachchi (Grade 8), Sirimavo Bandaranayake Vidyalaya, Colombo

My favourite singer is Vanessa Hudgens. Vanessa is a very talented singer and actress. She was born on December 14, 1988. She is an American. She acts in High School Musical, Band Slam and many more. She likes rock music. Vanessa likes Frankie B. Jeans a lot. Her favourite singers are Alicia Keys and Celine Dion.

Her mom’s name is Gina Guangco and her dad’s name is Greg Hudgens. Vanessa’s favourite performance is ‘Let’s Dance’. I love that song too. Her favourite car is the Porsche Carerra GI. I love her a lot. I wish that we will meet someday.

My country Sri Lanka

By Nazmi Mahamood (Grade 9), Zahira College

My country
A land like no other
Just like my mother
I wouldn’t want another

So special to me
In different but many ways
I shall bring forth dignity
Not tomorrow but everyday

Towards development we shall strive
Keeping the momentum alive
We shall qualify
For everything there is to
justify

Sri Lanka
The name that spells honour
In the life circle
It’s just a small miracle

How I spent my holidays

By Anjalee Handaragama (9 years), Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda

I was so happy because my father decided to go to Hotel Ceysands situated in Malaysia. On August 24th we went early morning to the Katunayake airport in our car and caught the flight at 9.45 a.m. After we arrived in Malaysia, we went to a café and had our lunch. After a six hour voyage we came to the hotel and went to our room. After keeping all our stuff neatly, we went to explore the hotel.

I saw many beautiful waterfalls, ponds, lakes, trees and creepers. My brother and I took many photographs. Then we went to swim in the pool. We stayed for more than three hours in the pool.

In the evening we went to make sandcastles on the beach. I was so happy to go to the country where I was born. We sang, played and had delicious meals. After we had our meals we went to bed. The bed was very comfortable and amazing!

After 4 weeks, we went to the Malaysia airport and returned home sadly. We exchanged gifts with our neighbours and relatives. Most evenings I did my homework and revised all the lessons. This was the best and loveliest vacation I have ever spent. Thanks for the lovely trip Daddy!

My pet

By Hari Panchalingam (7 years), Lyceum Int., School, Wattala

My pet is a kitten. Its name is Pussy. Pussy is brown and white in colour. It likes to eat fish and likes drink milk. I like my pet very much.