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Children
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The Vienna State Opera (Wiener
Staatsoper) is an opera house - and opera company - with a
history dating back to the mid 19th Century. It is located
in the centre of Vienna, Austria. The members of the Vienna
Philharmonic are recruited from its orchestra. |
Austria
* Official languages German, locally also
Slovene, Croatian and Hungarian
* Demonym Austrian
* Government Federal Parliamentary Republic
* Independence Austrian State Treaty in
force July 27, 1955
* Population 2007 estimate 8,316,487
* Currency Euro (EUR)
Austria - officially the Republic of Austria is a landlocked country
in Central Europe. It borders both Germany and the Czech Republic to the
North, Slovakia and Hungary to the East, Slovenia and Italy to the South
and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the West. The capital is the city
of Vienna on the Danube River.
The origins of Austria date back to the ninth Century, when the
territory later known as Upper and Lower Austria became increasingly
populated. The name ‘Ostarrichi’ is first documented in an official
document from 996.
Austria is a parliamentary representative democracy comprising nine
federal states and is one of six European countries that have declared
permanent neutrality and one of the few countries that includes the
concept of everlasting neutrality in its constitution.
Austria has been a member of the United Nations since 1955 and joined
the European Union in 1995.
During the period of monarchy, Austria was known as the Austrian
Empire (Kaisertum Österreich).
After the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, the empire became
known as Austro-Hungarian Monarchy reflecting the dual monarchy
character.
Some major cities:
Vienna
Capital and the largest city. Vienna, known as Wien, is one of the
most magnificent Europe’s Cities.
Dotted with Castles, galleries and museums. This City has an immense
Cultural history. Vienna is among Europe’s safest cities, however
Visitors should be aware of petty crime in crowded tourist areas and on
public transportation.
Salzburg
Salzburg is divided by the River Salzach into the links Salzachufer,
on the Western Side of the River and the Rechtes Salzachufer on the
East.
The biggest concentration of historic Sights is on the left bank in
the old town (Altstadt), where a tightly Woven net of the medieval Hohen
Salzburg Castle.
Innsbruck
A small old City. Some Art museums are in this City for famous
painters.
Distribution of new text books
Dear Children,
Did you all receive Text Books for the new school term? According to
the Education Publications Department, the entire publication and
distribution of text books this year cost nearly Rs.3,000 million.
Just imagine what a lot of money the Government spends on text books?
But this would be in vain if you dear children don’t make the best use
of these books. However, it is welcome news to learn that books obtained
for re-use from students have reduced the cost this year.
The Government has taken steps to meet the shortage of school
textbooks in the North and East as well.
 Do you know we commemorate World Health Day on April 7? The Buddha
said Health is Wealth, so this a very important day for all of us.
Let’s discuss the origins of the World Health Day.
In 1948, the World Health Organization held the First World Health
Assembly. The Assembly decided to celebrate April 7 of each year, with
effect from 1950, as the World Health Day.
The World Health Day is celebrated to create awareness of a precise
health theme to highlight a priority area of concern for the World
Health Organization (WHO).
Theme of the World Health Day 2009: Save lives. Make hospitals safe
in emergencies.
World Health Day 2009 focuses on the safety of health facilities and
the readiness of health workers who treat those affected by emergencies.
As you all know Health centres and staff are a critical lifeline for
vulnerable people in disasters - treating injuries, preventing illnesses
and caring for people’s health needs.
By the way World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is today (April 2).
Hope you didn’t fall for any April Fools jokes yesterday.
Are you ready for the school holidays? Have fun and greetings for the
festive season.
Bye for now.
- Aunt Anji
The mind is everything. What you think you become.
- The Buddha
The Birthday
The war never seemed to end and everyday there came news of many
deaths. There were screams of grief on every side of them. Benny
resisted his fears and clung on to his last hope. He gazed miserably and
hoped with all his little heart that his father will come home for his
birthday.
He had promised in his last letter that he would somehow be there but
his mother had told him not to keep high hopes. He took out the letter
he had always carried with him. Benny loved to think of his father
writing to him and wishing his little boy was there near him. Although
Benny already knew the letter by heart he read it again. It gave him a
strange kind of joy.
He had tried to forget that his father had promised to come but he
found himself unconsciously planning what he would do when his father
arrived. His mother had never seen him so worked up but she was firm in
her belief that Benny’s father would not come home.
Back at the Army camp Matt was working hard. He trained and trained
and gained the Commander’s approval. Finally it was just two days to his
son’s birthday and he decided there was no time to loose. He walked into
the Commander’s office and saluted. “Good morning sir” he said.
The Commander merely looked at him inquiringly. This made Matt feel a
little uncomfortable nevertheless he held his nerve and spoke... After
half an hour of talking and pleadings, yelling and quiet talking there
was finally an arrangement. Benny’s father was to go at sundown on the
day of Benny’s birthday.
It was a not much but Matt was grateful for it. He spent ages
planning and scheduling his trip back home.
Finally it was the morning of Benny’s birthday. Matt decided to do
his best so that he would not spoil his chances of going home. When
evening arrived and they saluted at last Matt was allowed to pass the
gates. With gladness in his heart and a song on his lips he travelled
home. Home, what a wonderful word it was.
Benny had spent the whole day in great expectation. He hurried
outside at the smallest sound but when evening fell he was forced to
admit his mother’s opinion. Late in the evening Benny could not even
enjoy the toys he had got. They all lay down neglected on the floor.
Benny could not hold back his sadness that he just couldn’t control
himself. He started to sob miserably.
He was howling unhappily so that he did not hear his mother’s squeal
as she answered the quiet ring at the door. He did not hear the heavy
footsteps coming towards his room. Benny had abandoned every hope
until... suddenly he looked up and rushed out of the room like a
whirlwind.
There waiting, smiling and jesting was his father. Benny ran into his
father’s arms and started to sob but it was not sadness that poured out
of him this time. It was delight. He was so full of delight that he
could not control himself and expressed his thoughts by jumping up and
down and hurrying up and down the room like a wild animal.
He had plenty of other toys but he only had eyes for his little
wooden car his father had carved for him. The next day his father parted
and made his way back to the camp but strangely Benny did not feel sad.
He knew he always had next year’s birthday to look out for.
Raveena Amani Weerabahu Year 7C ,Gateway College
Niluka wins gold for diving
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Niluka
Subasinghe |
Niluka Shivanthi Subasinghe has bought honour to her school, the Good
Shepard Convent, Kotahena by winning the Best Women’s Diver Trophy,
participating at the National Aquatic Championship held at the
Sugathadasa Aquatic Complex, recently.
Niluka received the award for the best Women’s Diver Trophy for her
outstanding performance also collected two more Gold Medals winning two
other diving events conducted at the same venue.
Her wining the contest made it possible for her Alma Mater to receive
Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) Trophy. Niluka is grateful to her
coach Chanaka Wickramasinghe and to the principal, the staff and the
teachers who are in charge of sports.
Basket of delicacies
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The story so
far…
Pramodaka, Nalaka, Champika
and Chinthaka were journeying to the woods with their
parents for their school holidays. In the middle of the
night the children are awakened by a strange noise. On
following Scooby Chinthaka gets snared by the age old spell
of the ‘luring stones’.
Pramodaka sets off with Ruwi
to recall a book to cast off the spell while Nalaka,
Champika and the dog remain behind with Sachi, a gnome who
updates them on the life of mythical creatures. Shamilka, a
friend of the mythical creatures joins in and they begin
hunting for Pramodaka and Ruwi as there is no sign of their
return. Just as they realize that they are lost, six rabbits
scamper along the way.
The rabbits take pity upon
the kids and agree to guide them part of the way. Soon one
of the rabbits encounter a mischievous young gnome named
Zira who plays a trick on him... |
 While Riza was ducking behind a bush and grinning to himself another
mythical creature was looking for him.
“Here have you seen that chap Zira around? I have a present to
deliver to him from my Granny for the Yakundra festival,” asked Russell,
a tall and lean gnome with a monocle on his left eye.
“Nope. He is nowhere in sight, the scamp! Last week he was hanging
around my garden and suddenly something got into the rascal and he
started meddling with the fountain. Oh you know how precious it is to me
as it was a gift from the elf king.
“Next thing I know is that the top had come off and it was spraying
the energizer dew into my wife’s bedroom instead of the beds of honey
suckles,” came back the angry reply from a chubby gnome named Gerald.
“Let me know when you set eyes on the kid. Need to knock a few sense
into him.” Russell was silent for a few minutes as he blinked after
Gerald’s retreating back.
“Some assignment! I wish Granny would have gone ahead and sent the
stuff through the messengers. I don’t care a heck whatever happens to
the gift.
She should have done it!” He sighed, picking up the basket of
victuals.
He was slow on the move but unaware that a pair of eyes were
observing his steps until it was too late. Before he had time to bat an
eyelid a greenish form slipped from behind a hedge and took off with the
basket of goodies swinging loosely in his clutches.
Russell groaned. When will he learn not to be on the look out for
slimy creatures like Sulo? He had been deceived by the goblin many times
in the past but he forgot about the episodes in a few days, leaving the
gate open for the creature to take advantage on him further.
Meanwhile Sulo had sprinted many miles with the bundle of goods. She
was well pleased for it was not always that a bag of homemade goodies
fell on her lap.
“Ha, that stupid gnome. It was easy to play him like a violin.... Too
easy in fact!” she gurgled on the way.
 Nearly all the mythical and forest creatures loathed the goblins.
Only a few like Russell took pity on them. Ruwi, Sachi, Shazie and their
friends had tried many a times to make Russell see through Sulo’s
deceiving acts but all their efforts had been in vain. Russell was not
bothered. He wished to be left alone to lead his life in peace.
After reaching the rear edge of the valley past the dwelling of the
gnomes, Sulo set her prize down on the grass.
She was filled with triumph and joy as she imagined distributing some
of the contents to her friends.
“Wait till Thidur and Pradesh see what I have got for them. They will
think that this basket of delicacies belongs to me, not something I
stole. I’ll hand out the items to them as if they are mine.... But
no!... I should have something for myself before revealing the basket to
them. Half all to myself and the rest among us! They’ll be surprised
because we are sick of eating the rotten fish in the stream at the
bottom of the mountains,” she thought as she got down on all fours and
began searching for a hiding place.
Spying a hollow in a tree nearby she approached the space.
Good. It was just within reach and it would be easy to slip a few of
the contents into the trunk.
The creature was just about to proceed with the deed when it smelt
danger nearby. She gave a sudden hiss. A fierce growl followed. Scooby
sprang at Sulo’s throat.
To be continued
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