Thoughts which helped make the world better

The Enlightenment

European thinkers also began to look for universal laws they believed controlled government and society. This period, mainly through the 1700s, is called the Enlightenment. “To enlighten” means to give or receive wisdom.

In Europe, some rulers used Enlightenment ideas. Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796, supported Enlightenment ideas. So did Frederick the Great, a German king from 1740 to 1786.

The Enlightenment had a strong impact on the 13 English colonies in USA. For example, the Declaration of Independence was influenced by Enlightenment ideas. In 1787, the founders of the new nation, the United States, used ideas of Enlightenment thinkers, such as John Locke.

John Locke

John Locke examined the relationship between people and government. Before Locke, most people in Europe believed that it was their duty to serve their rulers. They thought that God chose kings and wanted people to obey them. This was called the divine right of kings.

Locke argued that, instead, a contract, or agreement, between rulers and their people is the basis of government. A good ruler has the consent of the governed. If a ruler does not serve the people, they have the right to overthrow him. Locke’s ideas started an age of political change.

The age of Reason

Historians call the 1600s and 1700s, the Enlightenment, or the “Age of Reason.” European scientists and philosophers used reason to evaluate facts as they searched for the laws of science, government, and law. The development of inductive reasoning led to the birth of modern science and government.

Thinkers such as Descartes and Locke used reason to reach new conclusions about the world. The political ideas of John Locke influenced the leaders of the new republic, the United States of America and appeared in the Constitution they wrote for their new government.

Folk tales of Sri Lanka :

The jaggery maker

Retold by R.S. Karunaratne

Ukkuwa went to the palace carrying a pingo load of jaggery and waited in the royal compound for the king’s arrival. For a few moments he enjoyed the beautiful scenery around the palace. The majestic buildings and armed guards baffled him. Since he was a regular visitor to the palace, the guards were quite friendly with him.

All of a sudden the guards stood at attention and Ukkuwa knew that His Majesty was on his way. After sitting on his throne, the king summoned Ukkuwa. He worshipped the king and stood a little away from the throne.

“So, Ukkuwa, you have brought my favourite jaggery. I like it, it’s quite tasty,” the king said.

Ukkuwa remained silent.

How do you make such sweet jaggery. Tell me all about it.”

“Your Majesty, we make jaggery for the royal palace with a lot of care and attention. We have a very clean kitchen covered with white cloths to maintain cleanliness. Even the roof above the hearth has a clean white cloth to prevent any dust falling into the mixture boiling on the hearth,” Ukkuwa said.

The king listened to him with rapt attention and tasted a piece of jaggery brought by Ukkuwa. Then the king dismissed Ukkuwa and turned to his advisors to discuss more important problems in this country.

On the following night the king disguised himself as an ordinary citizen and started walking about in villages to find out whether his subjects were living happily.

Then he decided that he should go and see how Ukkuwa was making jaggery.

After some time, the king went to Ukkuwa’s kitchen and saw how he was making jaggery. He was surprised to see Ukkuwa dressed in a loin cloth and working hard in a ramshackle old hut making jaggery.

He did not see any white cloth above the hearth or around the kitchen. Instead he saw an old dog lying in a corner of the kitchen. The scene was quite disgusting and he returned to the palace hurriedly.

After a few days, Ukkuwa was summoned to the palace. Ukkuwa felt that something had gone wrong somewhere. However, he visited the palace with much trepidation.

When Ukkuwa made his appearance, the king was visibly in an angry mood. He blurted out, “So you still make jaggery in a very clean kitchen covered with white cloths.”

“Your Majesty, if somebody asks how we make jaggery, we say so. However, when we make jaggery, we do it in a different way. Please have mercy on people like us.”

The king thought for a moment and dismissed Ukkuwa.

Anne on National Channel

Anne is a tele series based on the Canadian novel, ‘Anne of Green Gables’ of Lucy Maud Montgomery, which will be on Rupavahini soon.

A creation of Nalaka Swarnathilake anne is produced by R. S. Video. Anne will be brought to the mini screen by a host of young and old male and female actors including Vinuri Ramanayake, Poorni Kamaladowela and Buddhika Wimalasekera. A number of veterans in the field of teledrama also take part. A still from Anne.

My storybook collection

My hobby is collecting books. Up to now I have about 75 books in my collection. My favourite type of books are Ladybird books. I also have a collection of Sinhala story books and I think reading is a good habit because it gives us lot of knowledge. I love my books.

Shavin Dimal Webster
Gr. 3 E,
St Peter’s College,
Colombo 4.

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Myself

My name is Akshila, a girl. I am six years old. Live in Piliyandala. I like to eat rice and curry as my staple diet. And, I drink milk. My favourite fruit is mango. I am studying at Brisbane International School. I am in Grade 2.

My class teacher is Miss Nilukshi and my best friends are Ridmi, Isali and Dinely.

I am the only child in our family. I have a pet. It is a rabbit. My hobby is drawing arts. I like to be a teacher one day.

Akshila Dilmini Kusumsiri
Gr. 2
Brisbane International School,
Kohuwela.

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Wild ponies

Sleek red fur coats,
Glistening in the sun
Long silky manes
Flying in the wind
Shiny black hoofs,
Kicking up the dust
Ponies wild
Running majestically free.

Nillasi Liyanage
Gr. 8 D
Musaeus College
Colombo 7