One quiet afternoon, the oldest tree in Enchanted Forest calls the animals together for a game of words.
Old Elm stood at the heart of the forest, its branches full of gold and orange leaves. Pip the hedgehog, Rusty the fox cub, Clover the rabbit, and Nutmeg the squirrel sat at its roots. Two new friends joined them: Fern, a small fawn, and Ash, a young raccoon who had just moved to the forest.
"I have a riddle for you," said Old Elm, in a slow, kind voice. "I grow small in the bright sun. I grow big on a cloudy day. At night, I go away. What am I?"
The animals thought hard. "A leaf?" guessed Pip. "A cloud?" guessed Rusty. Clover looked up at the sky and guessed, "The moon?" Old Elm only smiled and waited.
Then Fern looked down and saw a dark shape next to her on the grass. It moved when she moved. "A shadow!" she called out. Old Elm nodded. "Yes! A shadow grows and shrinks with the sun's light, and it hides when the light is gone."
Ash clapped his paws, and the other animals laughed and looked at their own shadows on the ground. "Come back tomorrow," said Old Elm, "and I will have a new riddle for you."
This story is fiction.
In September 2026, solar and wind power made a record amount of electricity in Australia. On the main power grid, which sends electricity to homes in the east of the country, sun and wind power reached about 80% of all the electricity used. This was the highest share ever recorded there.
The record happened on two sunny, mild days. Many homes have solar panels on their roofs, and these panels alone made almost half of all the power. Large solar and wind farms made the rest. Because the weather was clear, and people did not need much heating or cooling, there was more clean power than usual.
Experts say Australia is building more solar and wind power every year. They think a new record like this one will happen again soon.
Source: Yahoo News (Reuters)
It is a warm, mostly sunny Sunday in Japan, but Fukuoka may see some rain.
Light clothes are good for the warm afternoon, but bring a jacket for the cool morning and night. In Fukuoka, carry an umbrella, just in case.
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued October 10, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
The United Nations chose October 11 as a special day for girls around the world. The first Day of the Girl Child was in 2012. On this day, people think about girls' rights, like the right to go to school and to be safe and heard.
Source: United Nations
On this day in 1968, the spacecraft Apollo 7 launched from Florida with three astronauts inside. It was the first Apollo flight with people on board. The crew stayed in space for almost 11 days and sent the first live TV pictures from an American spacecraft.
Source: NASA
Every October, Mibu-dera Temple in Kyoto holds Mibu Kyogen, a silent masked play that is about 700 years old. In 2026, the autumn shows run from October 10 to 12, so October 11 is a day to watch these quiet, old-style plays.
Source: Discover Kyoto
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
Overall This is a bright day, and good things come your way.
Money A lucky coin brings a small surprise.
Love Your kindness makes a friend feel special today.
Lucky color Gold
Lucky item A sunny yellow hat
Overall Your words bring a smile to someone today.
Money A good idea helps you save a little.
Love A funny story makes a friend laugh with you.
Lucky color Yellow
Lucky item A notebook
Overall Balance work and rest, and the day goes smoothly.
Money Share something small with a friend today.
Love A calm talk brings you closer to someone.
Lucky color Pink
Lucky item A pair of soft gloves
Overall Your kind heart helps someone feel better today.
Money A small treat makes you happy, and that is enough.
Love Listen closely to a friend's story today.
Lucky color Sea green
Lucky item A seashell
Overall You have a lot of energy today, so try something new.
Money Save a little money before you buy a treat.
Love Say something kind to a friend who looks tired.
Lucky color Orange
Lucky item A warm scarf
Overall An adventure, even a small one, brings you joy today.
Money A new idea helps you save a little.
Love Share a fun story with your friends.
Lucky color Purple
Lucky item A small map
Overall Slow and steady steps bring good results today.
Money A small gift brings you joy, not money.
Love Spend time with family and share a quiet moment.
Lucky color Green
Lucky item A soft blanket
Overall Careful planning helps you finish your tasks today.
Money Check your plans before you spend any money.
Love A helpful word makes someone's day easier.
Lucky color White
Lucky item A small notebook
Overall A new idea helps you see things in a fresh way.
Money Share your ideas, not just your money.
Love An honest talk brings you and a friend closer.
Lucky color Light blue
Lucky item A small kite
Overall Stay close to home and rest if you feel tired.
Money Keep your coins safe in a small box.
Love Family time feels warm and comfortable today.
Lucky color Silver
Lucky item A cup of warm tea
Overall Take things one step at a time today.
Money Think twice before you buy something today.
Love A short rest with family brings comfort.
Lucky color Brown
Lucky item A warm cup
Overall Today may feel a little slow, so take your time.
Money Wait before you spend on something new.
Love A quiet smile says more than words today.
Lucky color Dark blue
Lucky item A small stone
When we compare two things, we often add -er to short words, or put the word more before long words.
B. Good is irregular, so we say better, not gooder.
Answer: B. Good is irregular, so we say better, not gooder.
Sunday morning was quiet in Lyn's house in Nara. Soft light came through the kitchen window. Linda tied on her apron. "Today, we try again," she said. "More butter this time."
Lyn laughed and got the chestnuts from the basket. "Let's hope it's not dry like last time," she said. Star sat by the table, watching every move with bright eyes. Pinkysan sat on the windowsill, far from the busy kitchen.
"Peel first, then mash," said Linda. Lyn's fingers were slow but careful. "Ow! These shells are tricky," she said, shaking her hand. Linda smiled. "Practice makes it easier. You did better than last Saturday."
They mixed the chestnut paste with eggs, sugar, and this time, a little more butter. The batter looked softer and shinier than before. Linda poured it into the pan. "Into the oven you go," she said.
While they waited, Lyn checked the calendar on the wall. November's second weekend was marked with a small star. "John comes on a Friday night," she said. "We still have time to get this right."
A warm, sweet smell soon filled the kitchen. Star's nose twitched, and even Pinkysan came closer, curious about the smell. When the cake came out, it was golden and soft, not dry at all.
Linda cut a small piece for Star, who ate it in one happy bite. Lyn tasted a piece herself. "This is it," she said, smiling. "This is the one we give John."
Linda looked pleased. "One more practice bake before November, just to be sure," she said. Lyn nodded, already thinking about the red and gold leaves of Nara Park, and the friend who would soon walk under them.
(To be continued)