What is mistletoe? Mistletoe is a plant that is not rooted in earth. It grows on the branches of other trees. It is a parasite which draws nourishment from its host tree. Mistletoe is believed to be lucky and is hung over the entrance of...
Why does the moon keep changing its shape? This is because we can see only the parts of the moon that the sun shines on. When it is new moon, the unlit side faces Earth and we cannot see it. As the moon circles the...
Why do pigs wallow in the mud? Pigs take mud baths for coolness, comfort and protection from insects. The mud protects the pig’s skin from insect bites and the harsh rays of the sun. Unlike us, pigs don’t have sweat glands so their bodies cannot...
Why do people wear black for mourning? In western cultures, people wear black clothes for mourning. Black is a gloomy colour so it is felt to be apt for the occasion. In many Asian countries like China, India and Japan, however, white is the preferred...
What is will-o’-the-wisp? Sometimes a pale bluish flame floats above swamps and marshes, appearing and vanishing at will. Superstitious people believed that it was an evil spirit which lured people to their death. But the flame is actually caused when a compound of phosphorus and...
Why are some people afraid of heights? Some people have phobias or fears about something which are often irrational. It is a way of dealing with emotional stress or pain by associating it with a particular object or situation. Common phobias are fear of crowds...
What kind of gods did the earliest human beings worship? Ancient people who were city-dwellers were known to have built religious shrines but there is not much information about the gods they worshipped. Animism, nature worship and the cult of the mother goddess were very...
How did the cave men discover fire? Civilization began when man discovered how to make and use fire. Primitives used to keep a perpetual fire going as it was difficult to start a new fire. The first fire was probably started when lightning struck a...
Why is the bald eagle called so? The bald eagle is not actually bald but its head sports white feathers. In earlier days, bald meant white or ‘streaked with white’. However, today, people use it to describe those who have no hair. The fact is...
Who were the Pharaohs? The Pharaohs were ancient Egyptian kings who had the status of gods. The entire country belonged to them, including the land and the people. This made them very rich and mighty. The Pharaohs lived a life of luxury and had hundreds...
