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Children
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Picture by Ruwan de Silva |
Universal Children's Day and Elders' Day on October 1
Dear Children,
Do you know why October 1st is a very
important day in the calendar? This day focuses on two
significant sectors in society - the children and elders. In
1954, the United Nations General Assembly suggested that all
nations should observe a Universal Children's Day as a day
of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children
and of activity promoting the welfare of the world's
children.
State Governments are responsible for
passing legislation providing a day and name appropriate for
their compliance with the United Nations General Assembly
resolution. A number of essay, art competitions and other
activities for children have been organised at both school
and national level.
The United Nations General Assembly
designated October 1 as the International Day of Older
Persons on December 14, 1990, following up on initiatives
such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing,
adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing.
We must be careful and vigilant that
elders should not feel that they are invalid and neglected.
In a fast ageing world, older people too play an important
role - through volunteer work, passing their experience and
knowledge, helping their families with caring
responsibilities and increasing their participation in the
labour force. However respecting and looking after elders
should not be confined only for a day (October 1).
So children, if you have been treating
your grandparents badly, you must change your negative
attitude forthwith. Otherwise, it may be too late and you
will be unhappy for a long time. Also, remember that you too
will grow old and feeble some day. Do you want others to
ill-treat you? Learn to love and respect elders.
Dear Children good luck and enjoy your
day.
Aunt Anji |
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A child's spirit is like a child, you can never catch it by running
after it; you must stand still, and for love, it will soon itself come
back
- Arthur Miller
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Christ the Redeemer
This statue of Jesus stands some 38 metres tall, atop the Corcovado
mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Designed by Brazilian Heitor da
Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, it is one of
the world's best-known monuments.
 The statue took five years to construct and was inaugurated on
October 12, 1931. It has become a symbol of the city and of the warmth
of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms.
The statue weighs 700 short tons (635 tonnes)and is located at the
peak of the 700 metres (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca
Forest National Park overlooking the city. It is the tallest of its kind
in the world. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone.
History
The idea for erecting a large statue atop Corcovado had been around
since mid 1850s, when Catholic priest Pedro Maria Boss requested
financing from Princess Isabel to build a large religious monument.
Princess Isabel did not think much of the idea, which was completely
dismissed in 1889, when Brazil became a Republic, with laws mandating
the separation of church and State.
The second proposal for a large landmark statue on the mountain was
made in 1921 by the Catholic Circle of Rio. The designs considered for
the 'Statue of the Christ' included a representation of the Christian
cross, a statue of Jesus with a globe in his hands, and a pedestal
symbolising the world.
The statue was struck by lightning during a violent electrical storm
on February 10, 2008. The storm caused havoc in Rio, felling trees in
several neighbourhoods, but the statue was left unscathed.
Recognitions and honours
In October 2006, on the statue's 75th anniversary, Archbishop of Rio
Cardinal Eusebio Oscar Scheid consecrated a chapel (named for the patron
saint of Brazil - Nossa Senhora Aparecida) under the statue. This allows
Catholics to hold baptisms and weddings there.
On July 7, 2007 Christ the Redeemer was named one of the New Seven
Wonders of the World.
Strange creatures -
Part - 5
 The children looked wildly around them but they could not find the
owner of the voice which addressed them moments ago. Champika looked
very pale as she clutched onto her eldest brother's hand. Nalaka was
glancing all around him as if he were half expecting an unseen intruder
to come barging in. Pramodaka stood silent, letting the angry words of
the stranger sink in. At last he spoke up in a clear, hushed tone.
"Whoever you are, we do not mean any harm. We woke up to a strange
noise in the woods and our dog, Scooby, led us here. If my brother had
offended you I ask for your forgiveness. Please help us to release him.
He is thoughtless but not wicked."
There was a pause and the three children held their breath. Whoever
addressed them before seemed to be considering Pramodaka's words.
"You speak wisely for one so young... but you should know that this
forest belongs to nature. You are here only to enjoy its beauty not to
own it. If you take these word to heart I shall think over helping to
free your brother..."
"Oh we do. We do. Please help us," sobbed Champika while Chinthaka
did his best to agree with at least either a nod or a small squeak.
Unfortunately he couldn't even manage a croak.
"We agree with all that you are saying, mister whatever-your-name-is.
I believe my brother had suffered enough for his folly," Pramodaka
replied calmly, squinting towards a nearby clump of bushes.
"Soon daylight will pour in and our parents will wake up. They will
be very worried when they find that we are not in our beds."
"You can call him Uncle Sachi," replied a voice that almost resembled
the twinkle of distant bells. Once again the three children looked
around them.
The voice seemed to be descending from directly above their heads but
all they can see is leaves from the trees surrounding them.
"Ha! Ruwi... You here too?," questioned the first voice and much to
the children's astonishment a strange looking creature popped out of the
bush just in front of Pramodaka. He reminded the children of the picture
of father Christmas they had seen in Christmas cards except that he was
small made, had pointed ears, wore a green coloured suit and hat, and a
long cane grasped with his left hand.
"Wha-what is that?," Nalaka asked before he could stop himself. The
creature gave him a dirty look before noting Champika's terror and
recollecting himself.
"I'm a gnome, if you please, young man. Never seen a gnome before,
have you?" he asked but, as none of the children replied, he raised his
voice.
"Hey Ruwi. We've got a pack of nosy kids here who are in need of
help. One of these scamps fell into the trap of old Matilda's
luring-stones."
"Well, what do you need my help for, Sachi? You know what to do,"
came back the prompt reply.
"You are right. Now then stand aside, the rest of you," he shouted,
banishing his cane. Chinthana's eyes widened as he saw that the little
man was approaching him. He seemed about to strike him but there was
nothing he could do. He was stuck and at the mercy of these eerie
creatures.
Will the two strange creatures help the children or will they land
them in deeper trouble? You'll be able to find the answer in the next
part.
 Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell(March 3, 1847 - August 2, 1922) was an eminent
scientist, inventor and innovator who is widely credited with the
invention of the telephone.
Both his mother and wife were deaf, profoundly influencing Bell's
life's work. His research on hearing and speech further led him to
experiment with hearing devices that eventually culminated in Bell being
awarded the first U.S. patent for the invention of the telephone in
1876. In reflection, Bell considered his most famous invention, an
intrusion on his real work as a scientist and refused to have a
telephone in his study.
Upon Bell's death, all telephones throughout the United States
'stilled their ringing for a silent minute in tribute to the man whose
yearning to communicate made them possible.'
Bell imagined great uses for his telephone, but would he ever have
imagined telephone lines being used to transmit video images? Since his
death in 1922, the telecommunication industry has undergone an amazing
revolution. Today, non-hearing people are able to use a special display
telephone to communicate.
New panda baby
Four giant panda cubs have been born within just 14 hours in China,
giving a rare boost to the population of the endangered species, Beijing
State media said.
Nine-year-old Qiyuan gave birth to a pair of twin female cubs at the
Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Centre in Southwest Sichuan province,
the Xinhua news agency said.
Little more than an hour later, eight-year-old Chenggong, whose name
means `success', gave birth to another cub. Zhuzhu, also eight years of
age, also gave birth.
Chinese experts say there are nearly 1,600 pandas living in the wild
in China, mostly in Sichuan and neighboring Shaanxi and Gansu provinces,
Xinhua said.
Another 180 pandas are being raised in captivity in China.
BEIJING, AFP
My kite
I had a kite
It's black and white
It's a snake
It flew up in the sky
One day it broke
from the thread
It flew up and up and up
It vanished in the sky
I do not know where
Suddenly, one day
I found it in our field
I asked,
did you go to heaven
The kite said yes I did
Did you meet the God
and saw beautiful
treasures
When I asked
The kite said yes
So why do you come back
Then I asked
The earth is the best place
said my kite
Janith Deshan
Grade 5A
NCEF Buddhist College,
Mulleriyawa
New Town
Global children's english camp
Here's good news and an invitation to all you children. A Global
Children's English Camp will be held on November 2 from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. at St Anthony's School Ground, Church Road, Kongodamulla, Katana.
The objective of the Global Children's English Camp is to motivate
children to learn English with good behaviour says the initiatress of
the Global Children Friendly Environment(GCFE) F. Indrani Hansa.
Children between the 8 and 13 years age group are eligible to
participate.
Those who are willing to participate please mail or email the
application on or before October 10 to Global Children Friendly
Environment, English Educational Resources Centre, Negombo Road,
Dunagaha (Next to the elders home)
Myself
1. My name is Baruuthri.
2. I am eight-years-old.
3. I study at Kingston College International.
4. I am studying in Grade 2.
5. I live at Wellawatte.
6. My father's name is Sivahar.
7. My father is a lecturer.
8. My mother's name is Mythelee.
9. My mother is a housewife.
10. I have one brother.
11. His name is Jageshkar.
12. My hobby is stamp collecting.
S. Baruuthri,
Grade 2, Kingston College
International
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