Heather Stewart, age 10, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, for her question:

What is meant by nomads?

The word "nomad" is borrowed from an older word that meant pasture and grassy meadows. It also happens to be related to our word "nimble"¬which means able to move around in a sprightly fashion. We refer to cer¬tain peoples as nomads because they are always on the move from one place to the next. Very often their movable way of life happens to be related to green, grassy pastures. Many nomad people make their living from flocks of sheep, goats or different types of cattle. These creatures, of course, are grass eating grazers. In the wilds, nature provides these crops in differ¬ent locations with the changing seasons.

In mountainous regions, nomad shepherds lead their flocks down into the sheltered valleys. In summer they lead them high up the slopes. Our early ancestors were wandering nomads. They were always moving from place to place, seeking game and fodder, and they had no permanent place to call home. Many people still live nomad lives, toting their movable tents and possessions. Home to them is any place, any place at all where they stop long enough to set up their camps.