More than ten little birds sang on one big branch, and the whole forest stopped to listen.
On Thursday morning, a group of small birds held an Autumn Concert in Enchanted Forest. They sat in a row on a big oak branch. Golden light came through the trees.
A little robin named Ruby was the leader. She raised her wing, and the birds began to sing. Their voices were bright and soft, like small bells. Red and yellow leaves fell slowly to the ground.
Below the tree, many animals sat on the grass. A bear cub, a fawn, three rabbits, a badger, and a hedgehog listened quietly. Two squirrels moved their tails to the music.
When the song ended, everyone clapped. "It was the best morning ever," said the bear cub. Ruby smiled. "We will sing again next week," she said. "Please come and join us!"
This story is fiction.
On Wednesday, October 7, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was announced. The winners are Henri Kagan of France and Kenso Soai of Japan. Mr. Kagan is 95 years old, and Mr. Soai is 76.
They studied molecules that are mirror images of each other. Think of your left hand and your right hand. They have the same shape, but they are not the same. Some molecules are like this, too.
This is important for medicine. Many medicines have two types of molecules. One type can help sick people, but the other type may cause problems. The two scientists helped us understand how one type can become more common than the other.
The prize is 12 million Swedish kronor. The two scientists will share it equally.
Source: STAT, CNN, Al Jazeera
Thursday will be sunny in most places. It will be cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon.
It is a good day to go out. Wear a light jacket in the morning, and take it off in the afternoon.
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued October 7, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Kanro is a name for this time of year in the old Japanese calendar. It means "cold dew." The air becomes clear and dry, and the morning dew feels cold. Many schools hold sports days, and geese and ducks begin to arrive in Japan.
Source: Nippon.com: Kanro (Cold Dew)
In England, five engines took part in a contest to find the best steam train. A train called the Rocket was the only one to finish all the tests, and it won. The contest helped start the age of railways.
Source: Wikipedia: Rainhill trials
In the World Series, a baseball pitcher named Don Larsen got 27 outs in a row. No batter reached base. It was a perfect game, and it is still the only one in World Series history.
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
Overall Good news comes to you in the morning.
Money A small gift makes you happy.
Love A friend wants to talk with you.
Lucky color Light yellow
Lucky item A music player
Overall Everything feels light and easy today.
Money Spend a little on something fun.
Love Your smile makes someone glad.
Lucky color Sky blue
Lucky item A small bell
Overall Your bright voice is a strong point.
Money Save the money you get today.
Love Share your idea with a friend.
Lucky color Orange
Lucky item A warm scarf
Overall Music helps you relax.
Money Do not buy things in a hurry.
Love Sing a song with someone.
Lucky color Sea green
Lucky item Earphones
Overall A calm day is waiting for you.
Money Your wallet is safe today.
Love Spend time with your family.
Lucky color Brown
Lucky item A cup of tea
Overall Try a new road to school or work.
Money A small plan will help you save.
Love Say hello first.
Lucky color Purple
Lucky item A map
Overall You get a good idea in the afternoon.
Money Look at the price carefully.
Love Ask a friend about a hobby.
Lucky color Silver
Lucky item A pencil case
Overall Small things go well today.
Money Keep your receipts safe.
Love Help someone with homework.
Lucky color Green
Lucky item A notebook
Overall Take your time in the morning.
Money Use your money for a good meal.
Love A kind word is enough.
Lucky color White
Lucky item A soft towel
Overall Listen first, then speak.
Money Do not lend your things today.
Love Be gentle with your words.
Lucky color Red
Lucky item A red pen
Overall Go slowly and keep going.
Money Make a simple money plan.
Love Be kind to yourself.
Lucky color Dark blue
Lucky item A clock
Overall Stay calm if things are slow.
Money Wait one day before you buy.
Love A quiet talk is best.
Lucky color Dark purple
Lucky item A small key
Two small words can make your sentences longer and more useful. They are because and if.
If. (Tomorrow's rain is not sure yet, so we use "if." We do not use "will" after "if": "If it rains," not "If it will rain.")
Answer: If. (Tomorrow's rain is not sure yet, so we use "if." We do not use "will" after "if": "If it rains," not "If it will rain.")
On Thursday evening, the kitchen was quiet. Lyn sat at the table with a pen and a sheet of blue paper. She had a hard time starting.
"Dear John," she wrote. Then she stopped and looked at the ceiling. "What should I write next?"
Linda put a cup of tea next to her. "Tell him about your week," she said. "Tell him about the sweet potatoes."
Lyn smiled and began again. She wrote about the sweet potatoes, the hill, and the red leaves on the maple tree by the gate. She wrote, "Please come to Nara in November. The leaves are the most beautiful then."
Linda looked at the letter over Lyn's shoulder. "Write about the persimmon cake, too," she said. "He liked it very much." "Good idea," said Lyn, and she wrote one more line. "I will make you another cake when you come."
Pinkysan jumped onto the table and sat down right on the paper. "Pinkysan, I need that paper," Lyn laughed. The cat only closed her eyes. "She wants to say something, too," said Linda. "Maybe she wants to say hello to John."
Star came and put her nose on the edge of the table. She looked at the letter, then at Lyn, and barked once. "Yes, yes," said Lyn. "Star says hello, too." She added one more line: "Star and Pinkysan say hello."
At the bottom of the page, Lyn drew a small persimmon and a little cosmos flower. "Now it looks like a real Nara letter," said Linda.
Lyn put the letter in an envelope and wrote John's address. "I will put it in the post box on my way to work," she said.
Star followed her to the door and wagged her tail. Pinkysan was still asleep on the table, on top of the paper where the letter had been.
(To be continued)