Every book in the new library is made from a soft autumn leaf.
On Sunday morning, the squirrels of Enchanted Forest opened a new library inside a big old oak tree. The library is warm and cozy, with soft lights and round windows. Its shelves go all the way up the tree, and they are full of stories.
Each book has a cover made from an autumn leaf, and the words are written with a drop of morning dew. "We wanted a quiet place to read," said Nutmeg, the head librarian. "Now every animal in the forest can borrow a book."
Many visitors came on the first day. A gray rabbit with small glasses sat in the big chair and read a book with a cup of hot tea. Three squirrels climbed the ladders and put books on the high shelves.
The library is open from sunrise to sunset. Visitors must be quiet, and they must return their books before the first snow. Soon, the librarians will hold a story night for all the animals.
This story is fiction.
In Kenya, a baby black rhino named Tytan and a baby zebra named Notty have become best friends. They live at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery in Nairobi.
Both babies were alone and needed help. The keepers rescued Tytan first, when he was eight months old. One week later, they rescued Notty. The two animals soon started to stay together.
Keeper Edwin says, "They've been inseparable ever since." Every day, the two friends eat grass together in a nearby park. At night, they come back to the nursery. There, they have milk and alfalfa, a plant that animals eat, and then they rest.
Tytan is now one and a half years old. When he is five, he will slowly move to a life in the wild. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust began in 1977, and it has helped 20 rhinos so far.
Source: Good Good Good: Baby rhino and zebra bond at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Good Good Good: Good News This Week, October 3, 2026
Today will be cloudy in all four cities. Rain is expected in Fukuoka around noon, and in Osaka and Sapporo later in the day.
High = today's high. Low = tomorrow morning's low.
Take an umbrella in Fukuoka and Osaka. In Sapporo, rain and thunder are expected later, so go home early.
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued October 4, 2026, 5:00 a.m.
World Animal Day began in Berlin in 1925. Since 1929, it has been held on October 4, the feast day of Saint Francis, who is known for loving animals. It is a day to think about how to be kind to animals.
Source: Origin of World Animal Day (PDF), The Morung Express
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite. It was a metal ball about 58 centimeters wide. It went around the Earth in about 90 minutes and sent a beeping radio signal for about three weeks.
Source: Wikipedia: Sputnik 1, Space.com: Sputnik 1 fun facts
In Japan, October 4 is Sardine Day (Iwashi no Hi). The numbers in 10-4 can be read "i-wa-shi," which is the Japanese word for sardine. A group in Osaka started the day in 1985 to tell people that sardines are cheap, tasty, and good for you.
Source: Zatsuneta: Sardine Day, Netlab: October 4
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
Overall Your good mood spreads to everyone around you.
Money A small gift from a family member may come.
Love Smile first, and a new friend will smile back.
Lucky color Orange
Lucky item A lucky coin
Overall Careful work today brings a nice surprise.
Money Write down what you spend, and you will save more.
Love A kind message makes your day brighter.
Lucky color Light green
Lucky item A pencil case
Overall A new idea helps you with a problem.
Money Do not buy things you do not need.
Love You and a friend enjoy the same hobby.
Lucky color Sky blue
Lucky item A small notebook
Overall You have lots of energy, so enjoy a walk.
Money Share a snack, and you will get something back.
Love A friend wants to talk, so listen well.
Lucky color Red
Lucky item A pair of sneakers
Overall It is a good day to be at home with family.
Money A quiet day is good for saving money.
Love Say thank you, and your heart will feel warm.
Lucky color White
Lucky item A warm cup
Overall You will learn something fun from a friend.
Money Check the price before you pay.
Love A short talk makes you feel close to someone.
Lucky color Yellow
Lucky item A bookmark
Overall Steady work gives you good results.
Money A plan for next month will help you.
Love Be patient, and good news will come.
Lucky color Dark blue
Lucky item A clock
Overall Take a break, and you will feel better.
Money Save a little money from your allowance.
Love Time with your family makes you happy.
Lucky color Pink
Lucky item A soft blanket
Overall Your dreams give you a good idea.
Money Think twice before you buy something big.
Love A friend needs your help, so be kind.
Lucky color Sea green
Lucky item A shell
Overall Things move slowly, but they go well.
Money Keep your money in a safe place.
Love Do not worry about a small mistake.
Lucky color Purple
Lucky item A key chain
Overall Your day is a little busy, so make a list.
Money A small mistake with money may happen.
Love Say what you feel in a calm voice.
Lucky color Silver
Lucky item A small mirror
Overall Do not hurry, and check things twice.
Money Wait before you buy something you want.
Love A friend may be tired, so be gentle.
Lucky color Brown
Lucky item A warm scarf
We use the past simple to talk about things that finished in the past.
saw. ("Yesterday" tells us that it happened in the past, and the past of see is saw.)
On Saturday afternoon, John came to Lyn's house with his camera and a small bag of rice crackers. Star ran to the gate and wagged her curly tail. "Hello, Star!" John said. "You are even cuter than I thought."
Linda came out in her apron. "Welcome, John," she said. "Everything is ready." She had a basket with rice balls, tea, and two pieces of persimmon cake.
Pinkysan watched from the window. She did not want to meet a new person, so she stayed inside. "Maybe next time," Lyn said with a smile.
The four of them walked up the hill. The air was cool, and the sky was blue. Star walked in front, and her ears moved at every sound.
Soon they saw the cosmos flowers. There were pink, white, and red flowers all over the hill, and they moved softly in the wind. "Wow," said John. He stood still for a moment. "It looks like a sea of flowers."
John took many pictures. Star sat down in the flowers, and he took her picture, too. "Look at that face," he laughed. "She is a model!"
They sat on a blanket and ate lunch. The rice balls were still warm. John smiled and said, "I came to Nara to see old temples, but this hill is my favorite place."
"Then take a picture for Pinkysan," said Lyn. "She will want to see it."
On the way home, the sun was low and orange. John showed the pictures to Lyn and Linda on his camera. "This one is my favorite," he said. It was a picture of Star in the flowers, with the whole hill behind her.
At home, Pinkysan was waiting at the door. She looked at the camera and then at John. "Meow?" she said. John knelt down and held out the camera. "Look, Pinkysan. This is where we went."
Pinkysan looked at the picture for a long time. Then she touched John's hand with her nose. Everyone laughed.
(To be continued)