|
Children
Its Christmas time and festival season
Dear Children
 |
|
Christmas shopping. Picture by Sudath
Nishantha |
Are you in a festive mood with Christmas a week away? The chill in
the air really gives you the Christmas feeling. With the dawn of peace
after three decades of terror now the nation can engage in their day
today activities without any fear.
How about Christmas shopping with the special offers? I am sure you
children love to go shopping with your parents, brothers and sisters. It
sure is fun.
Children should be accompanied by a guardian when shopping and make
sure you are with a group.
 Dear
children the best way to celebrate Christmas is by sharing its joy and
spirit with others specially the less fortunate friends, neighbours or
relations. When you plan your Christmas party don’t forget to share some
with the less fortunate as well.
Christmas is universal. Every child would love to decorate a
Christmas tree. So get ready to celebrate Christmas because Christmas
comes but once a year.
International Human Solidarity Day The
United Nations’ (UN) International Human Solidarity Day is annually held
on December 20 to celebrate unity in diversity. It also aims to remind
people on the importance of solidarity in working towards eradicating
poverty. Dear children enjoy holidays and festive season. Bye for now. -
Aunt Anji
 |
|
The
Monastery, or Al Deir, in Petra. Courtesy: Google |
Jordan
Jordan is a country situated in Western Asia and much of it is
covered by desert, particularly the Arabian Desert. Jordan which is
known as the Hashemite Kngdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy.
King Abdullah II is the President of Jordan
Jordan is also home to the famous town of Petra famed for its
archeological sites. Petra which is renowned for its rock-cut
architecture is also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Petra is
also described as ‘a rose-red city half as old as time’
Jordan spans the Southern part of the Syrian Desert down to the Gulf
of Aqaba. Jordan shares borders with Syria to the North, Iraq to the
northeast, Saudi Arabia to the East and South, the Gulf of Aqaba to the
southwest, and Palestine and Israel to the West. It shares control of
the Dead Sea with Israel.
However, the North-Western area of Jordan, with the Jordan River, is
regarded as part of the Ancient Fertile Crescent.
The capital city of Amman is in the northwestern part of the country,
not far from the Jordan River.
Jordan is a modern Arab nation and its population is 92 percent Sunni
Muslim with a small Christian minority. Courtesy: Wikipedia
Capital - Amman
Official languages - Arabic
Ethnic groups - 98 percent Arab and 2 percent
others
Demonym - Jordanian
Population - 2009 estimate 6,316,000
Currency - Jordanian dinar (JOD)
‘A traitor in our midst’
In ‘Kid’s Den’...
Four children, Pramodaka, Nalaka, Champika and Chinthaka, go on a
trip 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 their dog, Scooby, Chinthaka is snared by the spell of the
‘luring stones’. Pramodaka departs with Ruwi, a pixie, to recall a book
of spell to cast off the spell while the others remain behind with Sachi,
a gnome. A storm breaks and the kids are scattered.
Meanwhile Sulo, the goblin who is always trying to make trouble
for the mythical creatures, comes up with a nasty plan. She rushes off
gang up the rest of her pack and reveals an age old secret.
However the group discovers that it is not only Sulo’s secret that
is uncovered by the storm. Something dark and deadly had been hidden in
the depths of the earth waiting to release itself and return for
revenge...
(‘Return of the Kids’ is the sequel to ‘Kid’s Den’)
- Part 2
By Uncle Sachi and Aunt Ruwi
Jay was in a thoughtful mood. He knew that something which was not
quite right is taking place but he couldn’t see where the problems are
brewing up - not yet! However he was confident that he will be able to
solve the problems soon, once he had gathered the rest of the leaders of
the pack.
He had seen moments of disharmony, especially among the forest
animals, in his years as the leader of all the mythical creatures. The
mongooses and the peacocks had remained enemies with the snakes.
Likewise the rabbits and hens had never gotten over their nemesis
with the fox. However, he noted that they were at least making an effort
to get along with each other during his time. That at least was
something after all.
 |
|
Jay looked up with a start as Naks
followed by Lakshi and
Russell appeared from the distance. He glanced at Ronnie who
had been absorbed in the ‘Mythicscope’. As if on cue, Ronnie
looked up at him and met his eyes. They nodded at each other
and faced the group |
It was a different matter with the mythical beings. The goblins were
the major cause of disharmony, of course.
Though he had tried to get Pradesh back into the woods it had created
many problems, especially since so many of the gnomes, pixies and
brownies had put their foot down on the matter. Even some of the elves -
the most forgiving beings on the planet - had looked at him with dismay.
Then there was the problem with HE. Though talented, the gnome became
too big for his boots and the power that had been left in his charge had
gone to his head.
Just when it seemed like everything was calming down after he had a
word with both HE and Russell, strange things began happening to cause
turmoil in the woods.
Jay looked up with a start as Naks followed by Lakshi and Russell
appeared from the distance. He glanced at Ronnie who had been absorbed
in the ‘Mythicscope’. As if on cue, Ronnie looked up at him and met his
eyes. They nodded at each other and faced the group.
“It is time.”
“How is Dina’s situation?” Jay questioned as the three took their
seats.
Russell looked up with a worried frown. What on earth had happened to
Dina? Last time he had seen her, she had been a bit grumpy but still her
usual dazzling self, fresh as a flower. She had danced gaily by his side
while batting her eye lashes nineteen to dozen as she had taken out a
purple orchid from her basket and pinned it on his jacket.
“We left her in charge of the Graceful One. She said that once the
evil had been drained out of her she will be cured,” Lakshi spoke up.
“Good, good. That is solved for the time being. Looks like she is one
of the lucky ones as her symptoms were discovered on time,” Ronnie
butted inmumbled as he picked up a quill and paper from the round table
before him.
After giving him a nod Naks looked up at Jay.
“What news? How is the situation now?”
“Friends... I believe that this is a very grave period for us. I have
made a discovery. There is a traitor in our midst!”
(To be continued)
Tourist attractionsin Sri Lanka
There are several places which attract the tourists such as the
beaches, wildlife and historical ancient monuments. One famous and
recognized place is the Sigiriya rock. It was built by King Kashyapa.
The frescoes and the environment are very famous throughout the world
and much has been written about them. The ruins of the centuries old
kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are also very attractive, to
the tourists.
The beaches down South are also very attractive. Most tourists prefer
the beaches and places like Bentota, Hambantota and Negombo.
There are hotels which cater to the tastes of tourists of all shades.
The wildlife places like Yala also attract most tourists.
The tourists are guided by experienced guides in these wildlife
places like Vilpattu, Yala and residential places are built inside the
jungle.
Most European tourists spend their winter season in Sri Lanka.
Zamira, Zara,
Aiysha, Azra,
Grade 10
Sailan International School
Negombo
|
