Connie Friend, age 11, of Columbus, Ohio, for her question:

Where do they have rickshaws?

The full name for a ricksha, or rickshaw if you like, is the jinrikisha. The longer name gives a clue to what it means ‑ if you speak Japanese. For it is composed of three Japanese words meaning man, power and carriage. The ricksha is a two‑wheeled carriage, drawn by a man. The wheels are large and the seat comfortably cushioned. There is also a hood to put up against the rain and the hot sun.

Since Jinrikisha is a Japanese word, we would expect to find the strange vehicle in Japan. There are some, true, but not very many. They have been driven off the streets by thousands of taxis. We find more in Hong Kong and other Chinese cities. And the ricksha is also used in South Africa. In the city of Durbar, rows of rickshas wait in line to take you for a merry ride.

Here the rickshas are drawn by gaily dressed Zulus, plumed and painted. They run along with giant strides. Every now and again they lift up both feet and coast, resting on the handles. When this happens, the rider in the carriage is tipped way back ‑ all part of the fun.