Volcanoes

Mountains that erupt are called volcanoes. Some volcanoes erupt with violent explosions that release huge amounts of ash, gas and lava. These eruptions pose a great danger to people living nearby. Other volcanoes erupt with less force and send lava flowing quietly down the mountainside.

Mount Fuji A dormant volcano is one that has not erupted in many years but still could. Mount Fuji the highest peak in Japan is an example of a dormant volcano. It last erupted in the early 1700s.

How my best friend spends her time

By Ayeshi Dilhani (Grade 8), Dikkapitiya Vidyalaya

My best friend Kalani lives at Dikkapitiya. She is a clever and kind girl. We both are in the same class. We both spend our leisure time together. She spends her free time doing gardening. It is a useful hobby.

She does gardening in the evening. She likes gardening because she can get fresh fruits and vegetables from her own garden. It saves her money too. She gives some fruits and vegetables for me too. Her parents and sister help her to do garden work. Her garden is beautiful.

Dogs trained for special work

By Samith Ailapperuma (11 years), Trinity College, Kandy

From early days, humans used dogs not just to be companions but also for working. Since the early days dogs were used for hunting. But nowadays hunting has become a sport more than a way of survival. These dogs are called hounds. Some of them are Basenji, Beagle, Basset Hound, Daschund etc.

Though some dogs are used to hunt animals, some others are trained to find the animals that the hunter has shot and bring it back. These dogs are called gundogs. Examples of gundogs are Spaniels and Retrievers.

Some other dogs are bred for sports which are called sporting dogs. The most popular sport nowadays is greyhound racing. Some examples of sporting dogs are Greyhounds, German Shepherd, Old English Sheepdog etc.

There are some dogs that are trained to help blind people. These dogs are called guide dogs. Some guide dogs are German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever etc. Some dogs are used to pull sledges in the snow. Huskies are the only dogs used for this purpose. There are dogs used to find lost travellers such as the St. Bernard.

Some other dogs are used as police dogs. Some police dogs are German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, Mastiff etc. But remember, these dogs too need love, care and affection as other dogs.

How I spent my last vacation

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

On my school holidays I visited my grandma. She made ‘halapa’, ‘kalu pol maluwa’, ‘kokis’ and ‘lavariya’ for us. I practiced cooking curries. My grandma taught me. I read some books and newspapers. I read sixteen books of Enid Blyton, five books translated to English, written by Martin Wickremasinghe and many other books and newspapers. I collected 25 stamps.

During the vacation when I was at home one of my friends visited me and she stayed a week in our home. We fished in the nearby lake. We climbed trees in my garden. We went to the village fair. We bought honey rings, ‘bundi’, honey nuts, ‘gal siyambala’ and so many sweets. My mother bought two
general knowledge books. She helped me to do them.

I played with my sister and brother. We got a pet cat named Sweety. I helped my mother and father. They both gave me 25 rupees each. I spent them all on sweets. I cooked five meals with my mother’s help. I planted flower trees. I planted only rose and jasmine. I ate fresh fruits and vegetables. I enjoyed my vacation very much.

Christmas

By Tharuka Fernando (Grade 8), Holy Family B.M.V., Wennappuwa

Christmas comes
With the birth of Christ
Joy for mums
And fun for kids.

Stable in Bethlehem
Born at midnight
Jesus loves all of us
World becomes delight.

Three kings adored Jesus
With presents they brought
What a wonderful night
With angels in the sky.

His parents were happy
Because of Son of God
King Herod was unhappy
And planned to kill the baby.