CHILDREN

Water is life

My Dear Children,

How many of you know that today is world water day? The United Nations declared March 22 as World Day of Water in 1993 and ever since, the day has been observed under different themes every year. The theme for this year is 'Water and food security: The world is thirsty because we are hungry.'

Not having access to pure water is a major problem faced by many people across the world. Some people have to walk several miles in search of drinkable water. But it seems that many of us who have access to pure water do not know what a precious gift of nature water is. Most of us have access to pipe water and sometimes you might have seen how people leave taps open and let the water flow unused into the drain. Whenever you witness such a thing always advise them not to do so.

Only those who have to undergo a great deal of trouble to get pure water would know the value of water. Out of the thousands of quotes that are on the importance of water, what Benjamin Franklin had once said seems to speak for all; when the well is dry you know

the worth of water.

The thirst for water will be quenched only by consuming water. There is no other substitute for that. So my dear children, always treat water as a scarce resource.

Bye, Sanju

[email protected]

The mix-up

Imasha watched her father applying glue on the sole of her shoe. That afternoon as she walked home from the bus halt, she found the underside of her right shoe had got separated from the top half. It made a "flip,flap" sound as she walked.

After a few minutes the sound stopped. When Imasha looked down at the shoe she realized the sole had fallen off and was lying by the side of the road. She picked it up and limped her way home wondering how she was going to go to school tomorrow for she had no extra pair she could wear in an emergency like this. “There you are,” said father, pressing the sole to the upper half of the shoe with his hands.

They kept the shoes outside for the glue to dry

“First let us keep it outside so that the sun will dry the glue. Then let us keep it under the leg of this chair the whole night and tomorrow morning it will be as good as new.” He ruffled Imasha’s hair. “You know that I had to spend a lot of money this month when grandma fell sick. Next month I promise you I will buy you a new pair of shoes.”

The Next morning Imasha realized father was right. The shoe looked as if nothing had happened to it except for the slight yellow line of glue peeping above the sole. Imasha did not mind this at all. So far as she could walk around comfortably that was all that mattered.

On Thursday when they had their dancing lesson Imasha removed her shoes with the other students before she entered the hall where Miss Nelum waited to teach them kandyan dancing. “Thei yath, Thei yath, thei yath tha...” Miss Nelum waited till they performed the opening steps called the namaskaraya before she began the lesson.

When the bell rang at the end of the lesson Imasha went to the entrance and absentmindedly slipped on the first pair of shoes she saw, her mind still on the new steps Miss Nelum had taught the class. Imasha loved the dancing lessons so much she day dreamt of becoming a dancer one day. It was only when she came home from school and started to remove her shoes that she realized the shoes she was wearing did not belong to her. These shoes were brand new.

Moreover the telltale line of glue was missing in the right shoe. She ran to her mother and explained what had happened.

“We must tell your class teacher tomorrow about this,” said mother. “Some girl in your class must have worn your old shoes. We must return the new pair to her and get your old pair back.”

“But mother can't we keep this pair? It is brand new” said Imasha.

“No, Imasha,” explained Mother. "It is not right to keep what does not belong to us.

Think how sad that girl must be feeling without her new shoes.”

“Yes, Mother” said Imasha. “I understand. I will find my old pair of shoes tomorrow” she promised.

When Imahsa's mother told the class teacher the next morning about the mix-up with the shoes Miss Anusha said Dinushi's mother had told her Dinushi had come home yesterday wearing an old pair of shoes instead of the new pair she had bought for Dinushi only a week ago. The mystery was solved. Dinushi and Imasha exchanged shoes.

A few days later, Miss Anusha asked Imasha to remain in the class after school for a few minutes. Miss Anusha handed Imasha a box with the name of a popular shoe shop printed on it. “This is a gift from Dinushi's parents,” said Miss Anusha. “They are happy you returned Dinushi's shoes to her.” Imasha stared at the brand new pair of shoes inside the box. She blinked back the tears that came to her eyes. She was happy she had listened to her mother's advice.

-Aditha ([email protected])

Hum, humming bird hum!

Hum, humming
bird hum!

Humming bird,
can you utter,

The secret how you
flutter?

Or can you tell me,
how you flatter,

To a beautiful
glittering flower?

I can see you scatter,

And sucking nectar
which is bitter.

But there's no matter,
About what is better,
Because you need
to survive,

In the hands of the
mother nature.

Harshanee Perera,
Grade 8-C
Royal International School,
Kurunegala.

She’s everything in my world

She’s everything
in my world

My mum,
Makes me warm,
And gives me love,
When I need it
every time.
She gives her shoulder,
When I need to
shed tears,
She gives me advice,
When I need one to
give it,
She teaches me what
life is
By relating her past
experiences.
Now my life is great
Because of my mum,
She is the star,
She is the moon,
She is everything,
In my lovely little world.

Shamila Amith
Grade 5 B
Sailan International School
Negombo

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Sithumili Dilakna grade - 1A. Sujatha Vidyalaya Nugegoda	Methuli Anudima Liyanage grade - 1, Museaus College Colombo - 7	Olu Isodara Wijesena grade - 3A, Sujatha Vidyalaya Nugegoda

A dinosaur	A teddy bear	A rainy day
A Nacshatra grade - 4, Kingston College International Wellawatte	M.Shivarshika grade - 3, Kingston College International Wellawatte	T.Dishan grade - 5, Kingston College Interntional Wellawatte