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CHILDREN
Japan tsunami disaster
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Tsunami caused major devastation in
Japan. Picture courtesy: Google |
Dear Children,
This has been a very eventful and sad week.
The whole world was taken aback and in shock at the earthquake and
tsunami tragedy in Japan. March 3, 2011 was a dark day in Japan’s
history. It is known as 3-11 - the day that Japan experienced its
biggest ever earthquake in history.
According to seismologists this undersea quake which measures 8.9 or
9 on the Richter scale off Northeast Japan is the seventh largest on
record taking scores of lives and causing lots of damage.
The previous biggest earthquakes to hit Japan were in Tokyo in 1923
and Kobe in 1995.
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Discovery
final landing. Picture courtesy: Google |
Shuttle Discovery lands after final voyage
Any space fans among you children? I know that some of you are big
fans of space films like Star Trek and Star Wars.
Then you would be familiar with the space shuttle ‘Discovery’.
The Discovery Shuttle which was first launched into space 27 years
ago landed at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida for the last time.
Discovery which was the most flown spaceship in the world which
returned from orbit for the last time will now be a museum piece. The
Discovery Space Shuttle made 39 missions, travelled 148 million miles,
made 5,830 orbits of earth and spent 365 days in space.
Have a nice week!
Aunt Anji
My first day at school
The first day I entered school I was four years old. I was sad
leaving the house and my parents, but when I saw the gate which looked
like a giant I thought school life is scary. I did not know anything at
that time. I didn’t have friends and I did not know any thing but going
to school on the first did give an excitement because I had many
students like me all together in the class.
When I saw teachers I thought that they were people who take us away
somewhere.
But I enjoyed first day at school because I had new people around me
and good teachers to teach me. After the school was over I didn’t know
how to go out but now I know how to go.
Until my parents come I used to be with the teacher and talk with
her. After my parents came I was very happy but I think that I have
found another joyful home.
My first day to school is very special.
Shamna Aslam , 4 A, Learnium International , Colombo
Powerful beings
– Part 61
By Uncle Sachi and Aunt Ruwi
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. A sleeping
spell is unleashed and all the unmythical creatures including the
children fall asleep. Strangely Pramodaka is the only one awake.
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’)
Emida was relieved. The boy was waking up at last. Whatever had put
him to sleep had passed away. She heaved a sigh of content.
Chinthaka opened his eyes and blinked. He was watching the gnome
patting Scooby’s head one minute ago and now suddenly he was lying on
the ground. What was going on?
As he got to his feet Emida thought back. She realized the danger
they had faced. It was like an alarm which had gone off within her. Her
senses were alert. She decided that the woods were not safe anymore.
 “Let us move away from here. I know a safe place. We can head over
there...” she whispered.
“But my brothers and sister must be searching for me. Shouldn’t we go
back to that place which you found me,” he asked looking around
nervously. He did not like the look of the woods at all. What had once
been inviting looked like a dark and evil place. He wondered why they
had been so enthusiastic to go camping in the first place. It would have
been better to stay home and spent time playing cricket and video games
with his friends.
“We can track them down later. I know who can help us. They are
powerful beings. They will see that you come to no harm...”
She beckoned the dog to her and singled that they should move on.
Chinthaka hesitated for a second. He would much rather be in his
sibling’s company but the though of being left along in the woods did
not appeal to him at all. Safety was the deciding factor. He fell into
step with her.
Soon the two were travelling up a footpath. The river was within
sight and they were moving parallel to its bank. He saw a couple of
frogs hopping into the water and a kingfisher roosting on a nearby tree.
“Well hello. Where are you heading this fine day dear dame?” a voice
inquired near his elbow, making him jump. He looked around puzzled. The
voice was coming from nearby but he could not find its owner.
Wide eyed he watched Emida bending down to address a grasshopper on a
tall blade of grass near their feet.
To be continued
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