by A joke-teller in Madison asks if Santa can talk, what an isthmus is, and what representative democracy is
A Letter to Santa from Madison, Wisconsin
Dear Santa,
Hi Santa! My name is Cole and I am 7 years old. I live in Madison, Wisconsin, a city built on a strip of land between two pretty lakes. I love hockey and telling jokes. My question is: can Santa Claus talk? My geography question is: what is an isthmus? And my social studies question is: what is representative democracy? Thanks, Santa!
Love, Cole (age 7)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hello Cole! A joke-teller will love this answer. Can I talk? Why, of course I can, and I absolutely love to! I chat with my elves all day long as they work, I read your letters aloud by the crackling fire, I sing carols with Mrs. Claus in the kitchen, and I laugh my great big ho ho ho so loudly that the reindeer perk up their ears. So yes, Santa most certainly can talk, and I always have something cheerful to say. Now, you will have to tell me one of your best jokes someday!
Your geography question: what is an isthmus
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land with water on both sides that connects two larger areas of land. Your own Madison is built on an isthmus, a slim ribbon of land squeezed between two lakes, Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. It is a rare and pretty place to build a city, with shining water on either side. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: representative democracy
Representative democracy is a way of running a country where the people elect, or choose by voting, certain leaders to make decisions and laws on their behalf. Your own Madison is Wisconsin’s capital, where elected lawmakers gather in the capitol building to do exactly that. Instead of everyone voting on every single matter, we pick trusted people to represent us. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Tell me a good joke someday, Cole. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
