One quiet night near the pond, a strange seed hums a soft little tune, and by morning it has grown into a small tree full of glowing golden fruit.
Pip the hedgehog was walking home past the pond when he heard a strange, soft sound, like someone humming a tiny song. He followed the sound to a patch of soft earth, where a single round seed sat glowing faintly and humming to itself.
Pip did not know what to do, so he gently covered the seed with soft earth, the way Nutmeg once planted acorns at the leaf library. Then he walked home, still humming the same soft tune.
The next morning, Pip ran straight back to the spot, and stopped in surprise. A small young tree now stood in the clearing. Its branches were covered with round golden fruit that glowed gently in the morning light.
Soon, Fern the fawn came to look, with her mother close behind. Clover and another rabbit arrived next, then two squirrels and Rusty the fox cub. Barley the baker bear came last, carrying his biggest basket, while birds gathered in the branches above.
"One basket is enough for everyone," said Owl, stepping forward calmly. "A tree like this grows only once, and its gift is meant to be shared." Barley filled his basket, and each animal took one small, sweet fruit. As they ate, Pip thought he could still hear a faint hum, as if the tree were saying thank you.
This story is fiction.
Raji Doshi, a 13-year-old student from Farmington, Connecticut, in the United States, has won a big science prize. On October 14, 2026, the company 3M named her "America's Top Young Scientist" for 2026.
Raji made a new way to help the ocean. Her idea uses tiny plants called algae together with a kind of natural rock called aragonite. Together, they soak up extra carbon dioxide (CO2) from seawater. Too much CO2 can make the ocean more acidic, which can hurt coral reefs and shellfish.
Judges watched Raji explain her project in October 2026. She won $25,000 and the title of America's Top Young Scientist. Raji also worked with a 3M scientist as a mentor while she built her idea. She says she hopes her invention can one day help keep oceans healthy around the world.
Source: 3M News Center, Discovery Education
Friday looks mostly sunny and mild across Japan, except in Sapporo, where cloudy skies bring rain for part of the day.
In Sapporo, carry an umbrella, because rain is expected for part of the day. In Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, light clothes should feel comfortable in the sunshine.
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued October 15, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
World Food Day is held every October 16. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was founded on this day in 1945 to help countries grow enough food and fight hunger. Since 1981, people in Japan and around the world have used the day to think about food and to share it fairly.
Source: Wikipedia
The anime film Demon Slayer: Mugen Train opened in Japanese theaters on this day in 2020. It quickly became hugely popular, and its ticket sales passed every other movie ever shown in Japan, making it the country's all-time top-selling film.
Source: ASCII.jp
On this day, brothers Walt and Roy Disney started a small animation company in Hollywood, California, called Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. It grew into The Walt Disney Company, now one of the world's most famous makers of cartoons and family movies.
Source: History.com
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
Overall This is a bright, lucky day, so enjoy it fully.
Money A small bit of good luck brightens your wallet today.
Love Someone close to you shares warm, kind words today.
Lucky color Forest green
Lucky item A smooth stone
Overall Careful planning today leads to a very happy result.
Money A small saving today feels surprisingly satisfying.
Love An honest word makes someone trust you even more.
Lucky color Beige
Lucky item A clean notebook
Overall A short trip outside brings you fresh, happy energy.
Money A simple plan keeps your spending nicely on track.
Love Share a fun story with someone close to you.
Lucky color Turquoise
Lucky item A small compass
Overall A small success today makes your whole week feel brighter.
Money A simple plan keeps your spending steady and safe.
Love Family time feels especially warm and easy today.
Lucky color Pearl white
Lucky item A soft shell
Overall A new idea pops into your head, so write it down.
Money Think twice before spending on something brand new.
Love An honest chat brings you closer to a good friend.
Lucky color Light blue
Lucky item A small pen
Overall A fresh idea helps you solve a tricky problem today.
Money A clever choice helps your money go a little further.
Love Honest words build trust with someone close to you.
Lucky color Scarlet
Lucky item A small key
Overall A fair choice keeps your whole day running smoothly.
Money Sharing something small today brings you a good feeling.
Love A gentle smile says more than words today.
Lucky color Lavender
Lucky item A soft ribbon
Overall Steady effort today leads to a good result very soon.
Money A patient choice today 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 Take things slowly today, and do not rush your plans.
Money Wait before buying something you do not really need.
Love A quiet chat with family feels comforting tonight.
Lucky color Yellow
Lucky item A folded paper note
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 today.
Lucky color Sea green
Lucky item A small seashell
Overall Today may feel slow, so rest and save your energy.
Money Hold off on any big purchase until tomorrow.
Love A quiet moment alone helps clear your mind tonight.
Lucky color Gold
Lucky item A warm scarf
Overall Today feels quiet, so take one small step at a time.
Money Wait before spending on something you do not need yet.
Love A short rest helps you feel much better tonight.
Lucky color Dark red
Lucky item A small candle
Must and have to both show that something is necessary, like a strong rule that you need to follow.
B. We do not use "to" after must: must clean, not must to clean.
Answer: B. We do not use "to" after must: must clean, not must to clean.
Sunday morning began slowly, and the whole house still smelled faintly of chestnuts and butter from the day before. Lyn woke up smiling before she even opened her eyes, still picturing the perfect cake from Saturday.
"Good morning, team," Linda said, already in the kitchen with two cups of tea. "Today, we rest. No baking."
Lyn laughed. "Good. My arms are still tired from all that stirring."
They sat together at the table, morning light slanting through the window. Star lay by the door, one ear turning toward every sound outside, while Pinkysan stretched across the warm floorboards, soaking up the sun.
After breakfast, Linda pulled the calendar down from the wall and set it between them. A small circle marked a Friday near the middle of November. "We should choose it properly," she said. "A real date, not just 'sometime in November.'"
Lyn studied the little squares. "This Friday," she said, tapping the circle. "John finishes work early that day. He told me so in his last letter."
"Then it's settled," Linda said, drawing a small star beside the circle. "We will write back this week and tell him."
Star perked up at the word "walk" a moment later, when Lyn stood and reached for the leash. "Come on, girl. Let's go see the persimmon tree up close." Pinkysan watched them go from the veranda, deciding, as always, that the garden could wait for a warmer afternoon.
Outside, the tree stood heavy with orange fruit, and a few had already dropped into the grass. Star sniffed at one with great interest, then backed away when Lyn said, "Not for dogs, remember?" Lyn laughed and picked it up instead, turning it over in her hand.
Walking back inside, she found Linda already writing the letter, pen moving quickly across the paper. "Tell him about the cake," Lyn said, leaning over her shoulder. "Tell him it finally worked."
Linda smiled without looking up. "I already did. And I told him the garden is turning the same color as his favorite tea."
That evening, the letter sat sealed on the hall table, ready for the morning post. Lyn looked at it once more before bed, picturing a Friday evening next month, the whole family gathered at the door to welcome their friend home to Nara.
(To be continued)