Aunt Mali’s Children

Wake up call to creativity

An art exhibition by inmates of Jayanthi Home, Payagala:

Art teachers Noeline Fernando, Badugodahewa and Sampath Amunugama

For the last few weeks, some 26 youngsters from a Home for Children have been busy putting the final touches to the hand works and drawings they have been working on. They say, they are going to have an art exhibition in their own Home - Jayanthi Children’s Home at Payagala.

Why an art exhibition in otherwise austere surroundings if not for the noise of these young ones, at a Children’s Home, some distance away from the city. For, such things usually take place in the city.

Why not, when these children have the whole-hearted support, guidance and dedication born out of love for them is with them, in the form of three art teachers.

Throughout last year, Noeline Fernando, a renowned art teacher and her two artist friends Sampath Amunugama and Badugodahewa visited the Home two afternoons a week to mould these young ones as young artists. Noeline has her own art school in Colombo, where many children from Colombo schools come to learn art.

Every year she organises an art exhibition showcasing her students’ talents. Badugodahewa and Sampath

 Amunugama too have acquired names as artistes and art teachers.

The trio took turns to teach art to these young inmates in the Home who are devoid of much access to such extra curricular activities of this nature due to their secluded, somewhat isolated lifestyle. The art class seemed to have acted some magic upon them.

Any random visitor to the Home could have seen them busy painting away their thoughts, carving flowers, animals and many such objects from cast away cardboards, rigifoams and newspapers pasting and patching them up to make various handicrafts.

A little respite from many bus journeys to and from Colombo and hundreds of afternoon sessions of teaching for the three teachers and a joyous occasion to look forward to for these children.

Now, they are going to hold their art exhibition this weekend.Away from Colombo, the hub of art activities, these children are full of hope. They invite all those who love art to visit their Home to view their artistic talents.

“We the children of Jayanthi Children’s Home, Payagala will be delighted if you would come to our exhibition,” says their humble invitation card.

The exhibition opens on Saturday 1st, November at 11 a.m. and will remain open on 2nd and 3rd December, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You know where the home is: Take the Colombo Matara highway, over the Kalutara bridge, pass Payagala police station. After 50 metres turn off to Dodangoda, follow the road till you reach the Children’s Home.

Malani Govinnage

Folk tales of Sri Lanka:

A small coin’s journey to the king’s treasury

Retold by R. S. Karunaratne

There were generous men, misers and beggars in the country. However, nobody had the time or the desire to associate with all of them. Everybody had something to do in his workplace or at home. Hence nobody really knew the inside story of generous men, misers and beggars.

One day, the king of the country, found a small coin in one of the boxes kept in the treasury. He looked at it very carefully because it was the smallest coin he had ever seen. The coin was round in shape and weighed two feathers of a tiny bird.

“I’ve never seen you in my treasury. I have all big gold and silver coins. How did you happen to come here?” The king questioned the coin.

“Your majesty, I know I’m not a valuable coin to live in your treasury. But I’m happy to be here, when I think of my past,” said the tiny coin. “I’m curious to know your past,” said the king sitting comfortably in an easy chair.

“When I came out of the mint many years ago, I thought I was the happiest coin in the country,” said the tiny coin, bowing his head to the king.

The king listened to the coin paying great attention.

“As soon I was minted, a rich man took me and several others home. He liked our shining faces and satisfied himself by showing us to his friends. At a party held by the rich man, a beautiful lady took me into her soft hand and returned home. The rich man who was busy talking to other guests, did not notice that a tiny coin was missing from his purse.”

“Thereafter, the lady took a great liking to me. She took me out of her hand bag every morning and greeted me with a smile, Then she put me back into the hand bag.

“I lived in the lady’s hand bag for several weeks until one of her children stole me. The naughty child instead of keeping me with him, threw me away saying, ‘this is a worthless coin’.”

“I lay in the corner of his room for a few days, until a servant woman picked me up. She immediately put me into a till and I lived in that prison for one year.”

“During the New Year festival she took me and several other coins out by breaking the till. She counted all the coins and exchanged them for a currency note. My new master paid no attention to me. He simply dropped me into a drawer full of other small and big coins.”

“I did not like the way he handled me. When beggars came, he used to give them some coins. But he did not part with me for some time. Day by day his collection of money increased and he began giving less to the beggars. But I did not want to stay in his drawer for ever. One day when the drawer was open, I jumped out of it and ran away.”

“When I was rolling down the road, an old woman picked me up. For some reason or other, she treated me well for a few days and finally gave me a good bath. On the following day she dropped me into a till at the temple.”

“Then, how did you come here?” asked the king.

“Your Majesty, one day a robber broke into the temple and removed the till. However, he was caught by your majesty’s men. From that day I’m here in your majesty’s treasury.”

The king could not decide what to do with the tiny coin. The coin, on his part, wanted to roam in the country. But he saw the grim faces of the palace guards and did not want to run away.

Young Scribes:

Knowledge is power

Knowledge plays an important role in all spheres of human life and activity. It is a powerful factor which helps man to attain success, power and position in life. There is no doubt that physical strength and money are instruments of power.

A man who is physically strong or whose purse is full commands power over others. But the power of knowledge is still greater. He is, however, a thinking animal. Knowledge directs his actions and enables him to find the difference between right and wrong, good and bad.

It helps him overcome his weakness and faults and face faults in confidence. It gives him mental, moral and spiritual advancement. Besides, it is through knowledge that man has gained mastery over nature.

He once lived in caves and dens. He was afraid of wild animals. Gradually civilisation came to human society and man acquired knowledge. With its attainment he became civilised. Now knowledge has made him the supreme ruler over nature.

He has used the force of nature to fulfil his needs. Nothing remains unknown to him. He has become a great scientist, skillful artist, a mighty creator of things and a noble pathfinder of life.

Advancement of Civilisation and culture would be impossible without knowledge. Knowledge plays an important role in the progress of arts, literature, science, philosophy and religion. So, knowledge is power.

F. Raheema Fazal
Year 10 C
Fathima Muslim Ladies College,
Colombo 12.

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Seasons

Sacred snow capped Fujiyama,
With wispy clouds
And blooming cherry trees,
It is “Haru”, the spring.

Green trees, hot weather,
And picnics in the afternoon
With oranges and apples,
It is “Thathsu”, the summer.

Red and yellow maple trees,
Ripe glistening Persimmons
And chilly days,
It is “Aki”, the autumn.

Winter herons outside windows
And making “Origami” animals,
Bitter cups of green tea,
It is “Fuyu”, the winter of Japan.

Nillasi Liyanage,
Grade 8 D,
Musaeus College,
Colombo 7.