Children
Edrly to bed, edrly to rise
Sunny Stories:
Everyday Hasini wished the sun would remain a bit longer in the sky.
Why did the sun have to dip into the sea so soon? Was it because he was
hot and dusty from being in the sky the whole day that he dived into the
sea for a wash before he went home? Hasini wondered why the sun could
not return to the sky after his dip in the sea. She missed him so much
when he was no longer in the sky. She did not like the darkness that
covered the garden after the sun had gone. Most of all she did not like
the clock in the sitting room that struck eight o'clock every night.
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Bushy was
fast asleep on the bed |
"You must have a wash now, Hasini," mother said every night when the
clock struck eight. "Brush your teeth and get ready for bed." "Bedtime!"
said father clapping his hands. "What book shall we read tonight?"
At first Hasini pretended she did not hear them. She went on building
the puzzle her grandpa had given her for her birthday.
"Come on. You can finish the puzzle tomorrow," said mother. When
Hasini still sat on the sitting room floor gazing at the puzzle father
said in a stern voice "Hasini, do as you are told."
Hasini stood up reluctantly and walked up to her mother. "I am not
sleepy mother. I do not want to go to bed. Can I stay up a bit longer,
please?" she pleaded.
"You have to go to school tomorrow. So you have to go to bed early,"
mother reminded her. Hasini had a wash and listened to her father as he
read a chapter from Alice in Wonderland. "Time for bed now," said father
when he came to the end of the chapter.
I am not sleepy, father," said Hasini. "Can I stay up a bit longer,
please?"
"Ten minutes," said father. "After that you must go to bed."
Even as the clock struck nine Hasini still remained in the sitting
room. She had now finished the first puzzle and had started to build
another one. Finally at nine thirty Mother carried Hasini to her bed.
Hasini kept saying "I do not want to go to sleep. I do not want to go to
sleep."
On Friday they went to stay with grandma and grandpa who lived in
Galle. As Monday was a public holiday they planned to stay with grandma
and grandpa for three nights. That night too when it was time for Hasini
to go to bed Hasini protested. "She always wants to stay up late,"
father said to grandpa. "I know what to do about this," said grandpa. "I
will give Hasini a special bed to sleep on tonight." He took Hasini's
hand and took her to the bedroom which used to belong to her uncle
Prasanna.
"This bed is special," said grandpa. "You must sleep on it only when
you feel sleepy. Till then you can stay up reading a book or playing
with your dolls."
Hasini was delighted to hear she need not go to bed at eight O'clock.
"Thank you grandpa," she said and hugged her grandpa.
That night Hasini went to bed at ten O'clock. When she got onto the
bed she found a bundle of fur lying right in the middle of the bed.
Grandma's cat Bushy was curled up on the bed fast asleep. "Give me some
room Bushy," said Hasini. But Bushy simply opened one eye, yawned and
went back to sleep. Hasini stayed awake most of the night because Bushy
took up the whole bed leaving hardly any space for Hasini. Throughout
the night, whenever she fell asleep she found herself falling off the
bed. The next night too grandpa said Hasini could stay up for as long as
she liked. Even though Hasini wanted to stay awake she felt sleepy as
she had had very little sleep the previous night. At nine thirty when
Hasini went to bed, to her dismay she found Bushy fast asleep in the
middle of the bed. That day too Hasini stayed awake most of the night.
The next day Hasini realized if she stayed up late Bushy would get
onto the bed before her and leave little space for her to sleep on. That
night instead of staying up late Hasini went to bed sharp at eight
O'clock. To her relief the bed was empty. When Bushy came to bed at nine
o clock he curled up at Hasini's feet and went to sleep, not at all
bothered that Hasini was sleeping in his usual place.
On Monday morning as they got ready to return home grandpa asked
Hasini if she liked her special bed.
"Yes grandpa," said Hasini. "Now I know why the bed is special. It is
special because someone else sleeps on it too."
"I hope you slept well," said grandpa.
"I learnt a good lesson, grandpa," said Hasini. "From now on I will
always listen to father and mother and go to bed at eight O'clock."
"Thank you father" said father and mother to grandpa.
"You should thank Bushy," said grandpa.
"Meow," said Bushy sleepily. "He is saying you are welcome." grandpa
explained.
- Aditha
[email protected]
Celebrating biological diversity!
Dear children,
May 22 was the International Biodiversity Day. This year's theme for
the event was 'Marine Biodiversity.' The United Nations declared May 22
International Biological Diversity Day in order to increase the
understanding and awareness of issues related to biodiversity.
Have you heard of the Convention on Biological Diversity? It is a
treaty with three main goals. Those are conservation of biodiversity,
sustainable use of biodiversity, fair and equitable sharing of the
benefits that arise from the use of genetic resources.
This convention covers biodiversity at all levels - ecosystems,
species and genetic resources.
What is emphasized here is that ecosystems, species and genetic
resources should be used for the benefit of humans, 'but in a way that
does not lead to the decline of biodiversity.'
In short this day celebrates the diversity of mother earth. We all
live among animals, waterfalls, trees, mountains, fish species etc. All
of them including you and I are a part of this system. So do remember to
protect and conserve them as much as you can.
Bye for now.
Sanju
[email protected]
Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebration of United Youth Front
United Youth Front Obeysekerapuera Rajagiriya organised a Sinhala and
Hindu New year Celebration at the Obeysekerapura recently.
Here winner of the fancy dress competition receiving a prize from ITN
Director Hashim Omar. Event organiser Nalaka Hemantha is also present.
Picture by Ruzaik Farook
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A bat and a
ball
A Haritharshan
grade - 1
Kingston College
International
Wellawatte |
A deer
Prachaan
grade - 1
Kingston College
International
Mt.Lavinia |
Jerry the cat
Ashel Kenath
grade - 1
Kingston College International
Mt.Lavinia |
My sister and
me
Nethmini Wijewardana
grade - 4
Musaeus College
Colombo - 7 |
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