In a quiet valley past Mossy Hill, Pip the hedgehog finds a giant round stone that answers kind words with an even kinder reply.
One sunny afternoon, Pip the hedgehog walked farther than usual. He crossed Mossy Hill and found a quiet valley he had never seen before. In the middle of the grass stood a huge, round gray stone, taller than Pip himself.
"Hello?" Pip called out, just to see what would happen. A few seconds later, a soft voice came back from the stone. "Hello, brave little friend!" it said, in a voice like a warm echo.
Pip laughed and ran to bring his friends. Soon Clover the rabbit and Ruby the robin came to try it too. Clover said, "Good morning, stone!" and the stone answered, "Good morning, kind neighbor!" Ruby sang a short, cheerful song, and the stone sang it back, a little sweeter than before.
Owl walked up slowly and nodded, as if he already knew the place. "This is the Echo Stone," he said. "It only answers words that are kind, and it always makes them a little kinder." The three friends looked at each other, surprised and happy.
Before they left, Pip, Clover, and Ruby turned back to the stone together. "Thank you!" they called out. "Thank you, dear friends," the stone answered softly. They walked home through the valley, already planning to bring more friends tomorrow, just to hear the Echo Stone say something kind.
This story is fiction.
Cambodia has made a special new protected area for the Siamese crocodile, one of the rarest crocodiles in the world. The government announced the new area, called a Genetic Conservation Area, in September 2026.
The protected land covers 315 hectares in the Cardamom Mountains, at a place called Boeung Veal Veng. More than 40 wild Siamese crocodiles live there now, the largest group of this animal left anywhere on Earth.
Cambodia's government is working with conservation groups, including Conservation International and Fauna & Flora, and with people who live nearby. Since 2012, more than 240 crocodiles raised by people have been set free in the wild.
Last year, workers found a nest with 17 eggs at the site. This showed that crocodiles are now having babies there on their own. Experts hope the new protected area will help the species grow safely for many years.
Source: Conservation International, Xinhua
Thursday looks mostly sunny and pleasant across Japan, with just a small chance of rain in parts of Sapporo.
Most cities will be dry and comfortable, so light clothes should be fine. In Sapporo, keep a small umbrella nearby just in case.
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued October 14, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Global Handwashing Day started in 2008, when more than 120 million children in over 70 countries washed their hands with soap on the same day. The day reminds people that washing hands with soap helps stop sickness from spreading. Schools, hospitals, and families around the world still mark the day every October 15.
Every October 15, Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto holds the Seiryu-e, or Blue Dragon Festival. An 18-meter dragon, made to honor a guardian spirit of the east, moves through the temple grounds while people chant and pray for good luck. The festival began in the year 2000, after a big repair of the temple.
Source: Japan Travel
Scientists found seven new kinds of tree frogs in the forests of Madagascar. Each frog makes a strange, high whistling sound, like the sound effects from the show Star Trek. The scientists named the frogs after famous Star Trek captains, including Kirk, Picard, and Janeway. They described the new frogs on October 15, 2024.
Source: University of Copenhagen
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
Overall This is a warm, lucky day for you.
Money A kind surprise helps your wallet today.
Love Family time feels especially sweet tonight.
Lucky color Pearl white
Lucky item A soft shell
Overall Careful steps bring you a happy result today.
Money A small saving today feels very satisfying.
Love An honest word makes someone trust you more.
Lucky color Beige
Lucky item A clean pencil case
Overall A small plan comes together nicely today.
Money A simple choice saves you a little money.
Love Your energy makes a friend smile today.
Lucky color Red
Lucky item A small whistle
Overall A short trip outside brings you fresh energy.
Money A simple plan keeps your spending on track.
Love Share a fun story with someone close to you.
Lucky color Turquoise
Lucky item A small compass
Overall A new idea helps you solve a small problem.
Money A clever idea helps you spend wisely.
Love Fun words bring laughter to your day.
Lucky color Yellow
Lucky item A notebook
Overall A fair choice keeps your day running smoothly.
Money Share something small, and feel good about it.
Love A gentle smile says a lot today.
Lucky color Lavender
Lucky item A soft ribbon
Overall Steady effort today leads to a good result soon.
Money A patient choice helps you save a little.
Love A warm word helps a tired friend feel better.
Lucky color Olive green
Lucky item A warm mug
Overall Go slowly today, and things will turn out fine.
Money Keep your spending simple and steady today.
Love A calm chat brings you closer to someone.
Lucky color Green
Lucky item A small plant
Overall A new idea pops into your head today.
Money Think twice before spending on something new.
Love An honest chat brings you closer to a friend.
Lucky color Light blue
Lucky item A small pen
Overall Rest a little, and save your energy for tomorrow.
Money Hold off on any big purchase today.
Love A quiet moment with a friend feels nice.
Lucky color Gold
Lucky item A warm scarf
Overall Today feels quiet, so take things one step at a time.
Money Wait before buying something you do not need.
Love A short rest helps you feel better tonight.
Lucky color Dark red
Lucky item A small candle
Overall Today may feel slow, so be gentle with yourself.
Money A small treat is enough to make you happy.
Love Listen closely when a friend shares a story.
Lucky color Sea green
Lucky item A small seashell
Could is the past tense of can. It also makes a question sound softer and more polite, like a gentle request.
B. We do not use "to" after could: say could help, not could to help.
Answer: B. We do not use "to" after could: say could help, not could to help.
Saturday morning arrived bright and cool, with golden light slanting through the kitchen window. Lyn woke up before her alarm, already thinking about the chestnuts waiting in a bowl on the counter.
"Listen up, team," she said, walking into the kitchen in her apron. Linda laughed and handed her a wooden spoon. "Someone is excited," she said. "Today we do it properly. More butter, and no rushing."
Star trotted in first, nose high in the air, and sat down in her usual spot by the oven, like a small, patient guard. Pinkysan jumped up onto a chair near the window, choosing to watch from a safe, warm distance.
Linda measured the butter carefully, a little more than last time, while Lyn peeled the chestnuts one by one. "Slow and careful," Lyn repeated softly, cutting each chestnut with more patience than before.
They mixed the batter together, taking turns stirring. "Not too fast," Linda reminded her, and Lyn slowed her hand. The kitchen filled with the sweet, warm smell of chestnuts and melting butter.
When the cake went into the oven, Star lay down right in front of it, as if guarding treasure. "You already did your job," Linda told her, scratching behind her ears. Star's tail thumped happily on the floor.
The wait felt long. Lyn wiped the counter, then wiped it again. Linda made tea, and they sat together, watching the oven light glow orange through the little window.
At last, the timer rang. Linda opened the oven door, and a rich, sweet smell filled the whole kitchen. The cake was golden brown, soft, and perfectly moist all the way through.
"We did it," Lyn whispered, almost afraid to believe it. Linda cut a small slice for each of them, and even Star got one tiny piece on a plate. Pinkysan sniffed the air with great interest.
They sat at the table and ate slowly, smiling at each other. "This is the one," Linda said. "This is what we give John in November." Lyn nodded, already picturing the autumn leaves at Nara Park.
Outside, the afternoon sun warmed the garden, and the persimmon tree glowed orange in the light. Inside, the kitchen smelled like chestnuts, butter, and a job finally done well.
(To be continued)