October 7: Nagasaki Kunchi Festival Begins
The Nagasaki Kunchi festival is held every year from October 7 to 9. It is a festival of Suwa Shrine in Nagasaki. People bring dancing, music, and big floats through the streets.
Source: Netlab: October 7
Fantasy Daily News
Wednesday, October 7, 2026Issue No. 1
Little Fox Learns to Paint Autumn Leaves
At the first Autumn Painting Class, a young fox made a beautiful red leaf.
On Wednesday afternoon, the first Autumn Painting Class opened in Enchanted Forest. The teacher was Master Owl, and his student was Rusty, a little fox. Soft golden light came through the trees.
The other animals came to help. A rabbit and a mouse picked up leaves in their baskets, and a squirrel brought the biggest one. The leaves were red, orange, and yellow.
"Look at each leaf carefully," said Master Owl. "No two leaves are the same." Rusty held a thin brush in his paw. He painted small blue dots and gold lines on a red maple leaf. He looked very serious, because he was trying his best.
When Rusty finished, everyone looked at the leaf. "It is beautiful," said Master Owl. Rusty smiled. "I want to paint a hundred more," he said. The class will meet again next week in the same place.
Word Notes brush = a tool for painting; carefully = slowly and with attention
This story is fiction.
World News
A Lost Bird Is Found Again in West Africa
In June 2026, scientists found a bird that nobody had seen for 13 years. It is called the Ghana cuckooshrike. The bird has bright yellow, orange, and black feathers.
Two researchers, Stephanie Bartlett and Paulo Ditzel, were crossing a small bridge in Taï National Park in Côte d'Ivoire. They saw something move in the trees. It was the Ghana cuckooshrike! Bartlett took photos and made what is believed to be the first video of this bird.
The last sure sighting was in Ghana in 2013. The forests where the bird lives have become smaller because of farming and logging. The new photos and video show that the bird is still alive.
Word Notes researcher = a person who studies something to learn new things; sighting = the act of seeing something rare
Source: Good Good Good: Lost bird reappears in West Africa, BirdGuides: Ghana Cuckooshrike documented for first time in 13 years, Search for Lost Birds
Weather
Wednesday will be cloudy in most places, and Osaka will be sunny. It will be cool in Sapporo in the morning.
Sapporo Cloudy, sometimes sunny High 19°C / Low 10°C Rain: 30%
Tokyo Cloudy High 26°C / Low 18°C Rain: 40%
Osaka Sunny, sometimes cloudy High 26°C / Low 18°C Rain: 10%
Fukuoka Cloudy, sometimes sunny High 25°C / Low 19°C Rain: 30%
This forecast was made on October 4 from the weekly forecast and may change.
Take a jacket in Sapporo in the morning. It will be a nice day for a walk in Osaka.
Weather Words sunny = with a lot of sun in the sky; cool = a little cold, but nice; weekly forecast = a weather report for seven days
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued October 4, 2026, 11:00 a.m.
On This Day
October 7, 1952: A Patent for the Barcode
On October 7, 1952, the United States approved a patent for the barcode. A barcode is a pattern of black lines that a machine can read. Today, barcodes are on products in shops all over the world.
Source: Netlab: October 7
October 7, 1959: Pictures of the Moon's Far Side
On October 7, 1959, the space probe Luna 3 took the first pictures of the far side of the Moon. People on Earth cannot see this side from the ground. The pictures showed a new part of our nearest neighbor in space.
Source: Netlab: October 7
Horoscope
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
1. Libra
Overall Good news comes from a friend.
Money Keep your coins safe in your bag.
Love A friendly talk makes you feel close to someone.
Lucky color Pink
Lucky item A red ribbon
2. Aries
Overall A calm morning helps you enjoy the whole day.
Money You find a good way to save some money.
Love Your kind words make a friend happy.
Lucky color Purple
Lucky item A water bottle
3. Cancer
Overall A bright idea comes to you, so try it today.
Money A small gift from a family member may come.
Love You and a friend share the same joke.
Lucky color Red
Lucky item A bookmark
4. Aquarius
Overall Your hard work is noticed by someone.
Money It is a good day to buy something you really need.
Love Say hello first, and a new friend may appear.
Lucky color Yellow
Lucky item A clean handkerchief
5. Taurus
Overall It is a normal day, so enjoy the little things.
Money Think twice before you buy a snack.
Love A message arrives from someone you like.
Lucky color Sea green
Lucky item A music player
6. Sagittarius
Overall You may feel a bit tired, so rest at lunch.
Money Look for a lower price before you buy.
Love You enjoy a quiet time with your family.
Lucky color Brown
Lucky item A sticky note
7. Virgo
Overall Things go well if you start early.
Money Saving a little each day will help you.
Love Listen well, and you will understand a friend.
Lucky color Silver
Lucky item A warm scarf
8. Pisces
Overall A small surprise makes you smile.
Money Do not spend all your allowance at once.
Love A small thank-you brings a big smile.
Lucky color Light blue
Lucky item A soft towel
9. Leo
Overall Check your bag before you leave home.
Money Keep your money in a safe place.
Love Do not worry if a friend is busy.
Lucky color Gold
Lucky item A sunny hat
10. Capricorn
Overall Take your time, and be kind to yourself.
Money Wait one day before you buy something big.
Love Say sorry quickly, and everything will be fine.
Lucky color Green
Lucky item A blue pen
11. Gemini
Overall Slow down, and you will avoid a small mistake.
Money Be careful not to lose a small coin.
Love Be patient if someone is late.
Lucky color White
Lucky item A small mirror
12. Scorpio
Overall A plan may change, but it will turn out fine.
Money Write down what you spend today.
Love Good friends are near you, so you are not alone.
Lucky color Orange
Lucky item A lucky coin
Function Word Column No. 7
Will and Going To
We can talk about the future in two common ways. Let's see the difference.
- Use WILL for a promise or a quick decision: I will help you.
- Use BE GOING TO for a plan: I am going to visit Nara next week.
- Use BE GOING TO when you see a sign now: Look at the dark clouds! It is going to rain.
- Clue words: tomorrow, next week, and soon go with the future.
Examples
I will carry your bag.
Lyn is going to work at the hotel tomorrow.
Look at the sky! It is going to rain soon.
I will carry your bag.
Lyn is going to work at the hotel tomorrow.
Look at the sky! It is going to rain soon.
Quick Quiz Choose the correct form: Look at those dark clouds! It ___ rain soon.
will / is going to / are going
will / is going to / are going
Answer
is going to. (We can see the clouds now, so we use be going to.)
Answer: is going to. (We can see the clouds now, so we use be going to.)
Serial Story
CELINE — Nara Days — Part 7: A Letter from John
On Tuesday evening, Lyn came home from the hotel and found a postcard on the table. The picture showed red maple leaves in front of an old temple. "It's from John!" she said.
Linda came out of the kitchen with a spoon in her hand. "Read it to us," she said. Star sat down next to Lyn, and her ears moved up.
Lyn held up the card. "Dear Lyn, Linda, Star, and Pinkysan," she read. "Thank you for the best weekend in Nara. The cake was sweet, the hill was beautiful, and the picture of Star is on my desk now."
"He is a kind person," said Linda.
Lyn looked at the picture on the front of the card. "I like these red leaves," she said. "They remind me of the persimmons on our tree." Star pushed her nose into Lyn's hand, as if she wanted to see the card, too.
"There is more," said Lyn. "I will come back to Nara in November. I hope to see the red leaves with you. Please say hello to Pinkysan. Your friend, John."
Everyone looked at Pinkysan. She was sitting on the postcard, and she was not moving. "Meow," she said. She looked very proud.
"I think she wants to say hello," Lyn laughed. "Or she likes the picture."
Linda put the postcard on the refrigerator with a small magnet. Then she looked at Lyn. "November is a good time for red leaves," she said. "We should make a plan."
That night, they ate baked sweet potatoes and miso soup. Lyn took a pen and a piece of paper. "I am going to write to John tonight," she said. Star put her head on Lyn's knee and closed her eyes.
(To be continued)