Children

 Angel Falls

In our series famous waterfalls in the world let us focus on the Angel Falls which is the world's highest at 979 metres (3212 feet) in Venezuela with a clear drop of 807 m (2,647 ft).

It is located in the Canaima National Park, in the Gran Sabana region of Bolivar State, Venezuela.

The height of the falls is so great that before getting anywhere near the ground, the water is vapourized by the strong winds and turned into mist.

The base of the falls feeds into the Kerep River (alternately known as the Rio Gauya) which flows into the Churun River, a tributary of the Carrao River. In the indigenous Pemon language Angel Falls is called Kerepakupai meru meaning 'waterfall of the deepest place'.

Protect Mother Nature

'One touch of nature makes the whole world kin

- William Shakespeare'

Dear Children,

How do you like Angel Falls that we have featured today. Isn't it gorgeous? Yes it is indeed. We all like to admire and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature.

No one wants to walk along dusty and chemical fumes filled air which we cannot even breath. Dear Children, don't forget to do your part in your own little way to protect nature.

Already we hear of melting glaciers, global warming and changing seasons all brought about due to destruction of forest cover for so called 'development'. Man's greed and selfishness are the root cause for this environmental imbalance.

As children you all can minimise or reuse polythene bags and join the tree planting campaign.

Be environment friendly. Bye for now.

- Aunt Anji
 

Distasteful goblin Sulo -  Part 20

Nalaka followed Sachi's eyes and noted the gnome glaring at a clump of bushes nearby. Suddenly the ferocious scowl was wiped off his face and then his features softened.

"For goodness' sake, Shamilka. You scared the wits out of us," he muttered and much to Nalaka's surprise a girl who seemed to be about Champika's age stepped out into the clearing with a broad grin. Her bright purplish shalwar kameez went well with her brownish skin and the pottu which adorned her forehead. She had a slight Tamil accent when she spoke.

"Why what have you been up to? Nothing others shouldn't know, I hope, Uncle Sachi...," she asked suspiciously.

"Of course not. Don't be ridiculous," Sachi replied, a bit too much in a hurry, Nalaka noted. Shamilka too seemed to have observed this for her eyes narrowed further in suspicion.

"What have you been doing?"

"Nothing that concerns you. Just telling them about the whereabouts of that distasteful goblin Sulo."

The very name seemed to bring a distasteful air to the environment and Shamilka looked as if she had tasted something unpleasant. However her features brightened when Scooby trotted up to her and sniffed at her feet, wagging his tail.

"Oooh, he's such a lovely dog... Yours?" she asked looking at Champika clinging to Nalaka and watching the new comer with wide eyes. "That's Shamilka who lives at the end of the road leading away from the woods.

She stumbled upon me, Shazie and Ruwi one day while we were doing a flower-colour-enhancing spell and I can tell you one thing about that one, she is sure quick at picking stuff. Can recite the half of the spell byheart.

Only trouble is she can't stop going on and on at me, the pack of them once she is present. Even Ruwi, Shazie and Nicky are not much used once she is around," Sachi whispered, hastily drawing away once Shamilka's eyed them again.

"Who are these children, Uncle Sachi? How did they get here?" she asked and suddenly noting the presence of the two children. Her gaze fell on Chinthaka's pitifully still form behind them.

"Oh," she murmured as understanding dawned on her face.

Sachi backed away for a few minutes as Nalaka explained the situation to the small girl. Champika seemed to have lost her fear and was joining in the conversation.

"So Pramodaka and aunt Ruwi went to get the book from the old woman except they had been gone for a long time....," Nalaka ended with a note of frustration.

"I say, what time is it now?" Champika suddenly asked, grazing up at the sky.

"It was just past breakfast when I set off. Must be about 10 in the morning now..." Shamilka answered.

Nalaka froze. Ten in the morning? Their parents must be frantically searching for them and to top it all Ruwi and Pramodaka had also been missing for a long time? What are they going to do? "Shall we go on search for them?" Shamilka proposed. Continued next week

Tribute to a retiring principal

Dear madam principal,
Through long years
You have served mother Musaeus
So let us pay tribute to you
With these simple words of gratitude

You lighted the lamp
Of hope and courage
So that we may feel
Its warmth and brightness
That we may have the boldness
To take the correct path

You encouraged us
With kindness and praise
Straight from the heart
So that we may be the best among the best
That we may be dedicated
To whatever we were doing

Hardships and disappointment
Are blessings in disguise
You taught us
They teach the lesson called life
As much as happiness and contentment
keep us going on in life

You always considered us
With care and compassion
Forgiveness and sympathy
We learnt from you
Reverently we remember
Your advices

Your hands are blessed
For you toiled
To do good things
You are a great personality
Whose dedication will always be cherished

May you always walk
Through sunlit pleasant paths
May flowers bloom
Along the road you step
May life be complete
With good health and joy
For the Sudu Amma of our era!

- Nillasi Liyanage 9D, Musaeus College Colombo 7
 

Children's world

Just peep to the world of children,
Just peep to see what's there.
It's calm and peaceful like the heaven,
You'll really want to go there.

Merry sounds of laughter,
Gentle little words.
Really you'll feel your age half,
Like a kid younger by days.

Little jokes and friendly talks,
Fill the children's lives.
Your duty as big folk,
Is to give them their lives.

There are no quarrels,
There are no hints.
No rough look on the faces,
If you see I bet you'll gaze.

We don't need definite days,
We just want our freedom.
Give children their dreamy worlds,
You'll be gazing in random.

D.W. Lilani Anuruddhika 7G Sanghamiththa College Galle
 

Myself

My name is Ahamed Murthaaz.
I am five years old.
I am a good boy.
I like to eat oranges.
My school is Wesley College.
My teacher's name is Miss
Oneetha Fernando.
I like my brother and sister.
I love my parents.
My best friend's are Zaeem, Arshad, Yehen, Murshid and Shaakir.
When I grow up, I want to become a pilot.

My hobby

My hobby is reading books. I like to read books because we can improve our knowledge.

By reading we gain much knowledge. First we get a good knowledge of the language we read and secondly we get information about the happenings in our own country and about all other parts of the world.

We have learnt many things by reading. Little children love to read fairy tales and other story books. Reading not only gives the knowledge but it provides us entertainment too. So we can say that the book is a very good source of knowledge which is cheap.

We have only to pay a few rupees and after making use of it we can use it as wrapping paper or sell it for wrapping paper. So we can come to the conclusion that books are the most important source of information and knowledge which we can buy cheap.

M. Z. M. Afzal Grade 9, Sailan International School Negombo

St. Anthony’s Nursery School, Borella held its annual concert recently at the BMICH recently. Here a performance by the school band. Picture by Ruzaik Farook

The annual prize-giving and concert of the Main Tal Nidderau Kindergarden Hambantota was held recently. Here Hambantota U.C Vice-Chairman Mubarak Moulana handing over a certificate and prize to a student. Picture by B.M. Mukthar Beruwala Spl. Correspondent

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Mountain Range Aysha Zulaika Grade 4, Raz International School Colombo 8	Our Garden Nethmini Chamodya St. John’s College Kalutara
Giraffe Jananie Abeygunasekera Grade 3, Visakha Vidyalaya Colombo	Waterfall Hafsa Banu Grade 2, Raz International College Colombo 9