Gayle House, age 11, of Muncy, Pa., for her question:

WHAT IS A DULCIMER?

A dulcimer is an ancient musical instrument that was probably invented in either Arabia or Persia. It is made up of a flat box with metal wires stretched across the top. The wires are attached to adjustable tuning pegs on one side of the instrument.

You play a dulcimer by striking the strings with small wooden or cork covered mallets. It can also be played by using sticks wrapped in cloth.

In later years, a keyboard was substituted for the hammers and the result was an instrument called the clavichord.

A still later descendant of both the dulcimer and the clavichord, as you have probably already guessed is the piano.