by A kite-flying boy in Kathmandu sends a half-finished question, plus the tallest mountain and the meaning of prayer flags
A Letter to Santa from Kathmandu, Nepal
Dear Santa,
Namaste Santa! My name is Aarav and I am 7 years old. I live in Kathmandu, in Nepal, where the tallest mountains in the world stand like giants. I love flying kites and eating momos, which are little dumplings. I wanted to ask a big question, but my pencil broke right in the middle, so all I got down was: does Santa Claus… Oops! My geography question is: what is the tallest mountain in the world? And my social studies question is: what are prayer flags and what do they mean? Dhanyabad, Santa!
Love, Aarav (age 7)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, namaste Aarav! A broken pencil is a fine excuse, and it gave me a good laugh. Since your question stopped halfway, let me have some fun guessing what you meant. Does Santa Claus eat momos? Oh, I would love to, so please leave me a plate! Does Santa Claus know where Nepal is? Of course, it is right beside the tallest mountain on Earth, an easy landmark for my reindeer. Does Santa Claus ever get cold up north? Never, I am built for snow and ice. Whatever you meant to ask, I hope one of those answered it.
Your geography question: the tallest mountain
The tallest mountain in the whole world is Mount Everest, and it stands right in your own Nepal, reaching higher into the sky than anywhere else on Earth. Brave climbers come from all over the world to try to reach its snowy peak. You live in the land of giants. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: prayer flags
Prayer flags are the colorful squares of cloth you see strung across hills and rooftops in your own Nepal. Each color stands for something, like sky, water, or earth, and people believe the wind carries good wishes of peace and kindness as it flutters them. They are a beautiful way of sending hopes out into the world. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Fly a kite up toward Everest for me, Aarav. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
