by A horse-riding boy in Ulaanbaatar asks about Santa’s yearly schedule, what a steppe is, and the nomadic way of life
A Letter to Santa from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Dear Santa,
Sain baina uu Santa! My name is Bat and I am 8 years old. I live in Ulaanbaatar, in Mongolia, a land of wide open skies, galloping horses, and round felt homes called gers. I love horse riding and wrestling with my cousins. My question is: when does Santa do everything? When do you make the toys, feed the reindeer, and ever sleep? My geography question is: what is a steppe? And my social studies question is: what is a nomadic way of life? Bayarlalaa, Santa!
Love, Bat (age 8)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, sain baina uu Bat! A young horse rider and wrestler must have boundless energy, and so must I. You asked when I do everything, so let me share my year. All year long, my elves and I build and paint toys in the workshop. In the autumn, I read the letters and check my lists, twice, of course. Through December I plan my flight routes across the whole world. Then on Christmas Eve, in one magical night, I deliver every gift. Afterward, I finally rest by the fire for a good long sleep, and then the whole happy cycle begins again.
Your geography question: what is a steppe
A steppe is a vast, flat, grassy plain with few trees, often dry and swept by wind. Your own Mongolia is famous for its wide steppes, where herds of horses and other animals roam beneath enormous skies. The steppe has shaped the way Mongolians have lived for thousands of years. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: the nomadic life
A nomadic way of life means moving from place to place rather than staying in one fixed home, usually to find fresh grass and water for animals. Many families in your own Mongolia are nomadic herders who live in gers, the round felt tents that can be packed up and carried to a new spot. It is a way of living closely and wisely with the land. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Ride fast across the steppe for me, Bat. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
