One quiet morning, Pip the hedgehog heard the Everspring hum a soft song, and his friends came to listen, too.
On a calm morning in Enchanted Forest, Pip the hedgehog walked to the old stone pool called the Everspring. This spring never runs dry, not even in a long, dry summer. The water looked still and clear in the soft morning light.
Pip stopped at the edge and listened. Small ripples moved across the water, shaped like tiny musical notes. A soft, sweet sound rose from the pool, like someone humming a song with no words.
"Rusty! Clover! Come and listen!" Pip called. The little fox and the rabbit ran over and knelt beside the pool. They watched the silver ripples spread and listened to the gentle hum. "It's singing," Clover whispered.
Owl arrived slowly, his wings folded behind him. "The Everspring sings only on calm mornings," he said. "It likes quiet friends who listen together." The three animals smiled and stayed very still until the song faded.
When the song ended, each of them took one small sip of the sweet water. Then they walked home together, softly humming the Everspring's tune all the way back.
This story is fiction.
In the US state of Maine, a small silver fish called the alewife almost disappeared from many rivers. Years ago, old dams blocked the rivers and stopped the fish from swimming upstream to lay their eggs.
In recent years, workers removed some old dams and built special paths called fish ladders. These paths let the alewives swim around the dams and reach calm ponds farther upstream.
The plan is working very well. Last year, more than 20 million alewives swam up Maine's rivers. At one dam alone, called Benton Falls Dam, workers counted nine million fish. About 35 years ago, fewer than 800 fish returned to that same river each year.
People in Maine are happy with the result. They say some of their rivers now have one of the largest groups of alewives in the world.
Source: Inside Climate News, Mother Jones
Saturday will be mostly sunny across Japan, with more clouds over Fukuoka later in the day.
It is a great day for outdoor fun this weekend. Light clothes are fine in the afternoon, but a thin jacket helps in the Sapporo morning.
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued October 9, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
On October 10, 1964, the Summer Olympics opened in Tokyo. These were the first Olympic Games ever held in Asia. Judo and volleyball, two sports loved in Japan, joined the Olympic program for the first time at these Games.
Source: Wikipedia: 1964 Summer Olympics
The second Saturday of October is World Migratory Bird Day in many parts of the world, and in 2026 that day is October 10. The day helps people learn about birds that travel long distances between their summer and winter homes, and why it is important to protect the places where they rest along the way.
On October 10, 1846, a British astronomer named William Lassell discovered Triton, the largest moon of the planet Neptune. Triton is extremely cold, and it travels around Neptune in the opposite direction from most other large moons in our solar system.
Source: Wikipedia: Triton (moon)
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
Overall A hidden talent of yours gets noticed, and your week starts brightly.
Money A small saving plan brings you a nice surprise today.
Love A deep conversation brings you closer to a good friend.
Lucky color Deep red
Lucky item A small notebook
Overall A cozy day at home gives you energy for the week ahead.
Money Cooking at home today saves you some money.
Love Family time brings you a warm, happy feeling.
Lucky color Soft silver
Lucky item A warm mug
Overall A gentle idea today leads to something nice later this week.
Money Keep your coins in one safe place today.
Love A quiet smile says more than many words.
Lucky color Sea blue
Lucky item A small shell
Overall Careful planning today helps your whole weekend go smoothly.
Money A simple list keeps your spending in check.
Love A thoughtful message makes a friend's day better.
Lucky color Soft green
Lucky item A clean handkerchief
Overall Slow, steady steps bring good results by the evening.
Money A small treat today is perfectly fine.
Love A calm chat brings you and a friend closer.
Lucky color Warm brown
Lucky item A soft scarf
Overall Hard work from this week starts to pay off today.
Money Saving a little now helps you later this month.
Love Patience brings a nice moment with someone special.
Lucky color Charcoal gray
Lucky item A wristwatch
Overall Balance work and rest today, and your mood stays light.
Money Share something small with a friend instead of buying new.
Love A fair word helps solve a small problem.
Lucky color Soft pink
Lucky item A pair of earrings
Overall A new idea surprises you sometime this afternoon.
Money Think once more before buying something new today.
Love A friend wants to hear your honest opinion.
Lucky color Sky blue
Lucky item A pair of headphones
Overall Your bright energy cheers up everyone around you today.
Money A small reward feels great after some hard work.
Love Your laughter makes someone's whole day better.
Lucky color Golden orange
Lucky item A small mirror
Overall Today feels a little slow, so take things one step at a time.
Money Wait before you spend on anything big today.
Love A quiet moment with a friend is enough today.
Lucky color Lemon yellow
Lucky item A notebook pen
Overall Rest a little today, and tomorrow will feel much easier.
Money Keep your wallet closed for one more day.
Love Listen more than you speak today.
Lucky color Scarlet red
Lucky item A running shoe
Overall Plans may change today, but something good still happens.
Money Do not lend money to anyone today.
Love A small kindness today is remembered tomorrow.
Lucky color Forest green
Lucky item A compass
Have and has can connect something from the past to right now.
I went to Tokyo yesterday. (We do not use the present perfect with an exact past time word like 'yesterday.')
Answer: I went to Tokyo yesterday. (We do not use the present perfect with an exact past time word like 'yesterday.')
On Saturday morning, Lyn had the day off. "Linda, can we practice the chestnut cake today?" she asked. "John is coming in November, and I want it to be perfect."
Linda wiped her hands on her apron and smiled. "Good idea. But first, we need kuri," she said. "That means chestnuts. Our tree is too young to give us many yet, so let's go buy some."
They walked to the small market near the station, with Star trotting happily beside them on her leash. Pinkysan stayed home, curled up on the warm windowsill.
At the market, a table was piled high with brown chestnuts, their shells shiny and a little prickly. "These smell like autumn," Lyn said, picking up a bag.
Back in the kitchen, Linda showed Lyn how to cut a small line in each shell before boiling them. "Be careful with the knife," she said. "The shells are hard."
Peeling the chestnuts took much longer than Lyn expected. "My fingers are tired," she laughed, after the tenth one. Star watched closely, her nose twitching at the warm, sweet smell from the pot.
Finally, they mixed the soft chestnuts into the cake batter and put it in the oven. The kitchen filled with a warm, nutty smell.
When the cake came out, it was a little uneven on top, but it smelled wonderful. Linda cut two small pieces, one for herself and one for Lyn.
"It's good," Linda said, "but a little dry." Lyn nodded. "Next time, let's add more butter." She wrote a small note in her recipe book: more butter, bake a little less.
Star sat by the oven, hoping for a taste, and Linda finally gave her one tiny piece of plain cake. Star's tail wagged so fast it nearly knocked over a chair.
That evening, Lyn looked at the calendar on the wall, at the little red leaf she had drawn in November. "One practice cake down," she said. "A few more, and it will be perfect for John."
(To be continued)