This autumn, acorns are falling from the old oak tree faster than anyone can remember, and a new friend joins the forest to catch them.
This year, the old oak tree near Mossy Hill is full of acorns. Every breath of wind shakes loose dozens more, and they patter down onto the grass like soft brown rain.
Nutmeg the squirrel librarian came out with her two cousins and three big woven baskets. A young bear cub named Bramble ran over to help too, holding a basket almost as tall as himself. "I want to help!" he said, and caught three acorns at once.
Owl landed on a low branch to watch. "Some autumns, oak trees grow far more acorns than usual," he explained. "Animals call it a big acorn year. It means plenty of food for everyone before winter comes."
The squirrels filled two baskets to keep for themselves, nibbling a few acorns as they worked. The third basket went straight to the Hollow Log Bakery, where Barley stirred the acorns into his batter for a nutty autumn loaf.
By evening, the whole clearing smelled of warm bread, and everyone got a slice, even tired little Bramble. "My first acorn rain," he said happily, "and my first acorn bread too."
This story is fiction.
In the US state of Colorado, a new bridge built just for wild animals is keeping both drivers and animals safer. The bridge crosses a busy highway called I-25, near the town of Castle Rock. It opened about ten months ago and is now the largest wildlife bridge in North America.
Since it opened, crashes between cars and animals on that stretch of road have dropped by 91%. Before the bridge was built, drivers hit an animal there almost every day. Now, elk, bears, moose, and pronghorn use the bridge to cross safely above the traffic, while smaller animals like rabbits use tunnels built under the road.
Cameras even caught a pronghorn crossing the bridge, the first one seen there in 30 years. Engineers say long fences along the highway help guide animals toward these safe paths instead of onto the road.
Source: Good News Network
Friday brings sunshine to most of Japan, while Osaka turns cloudy later and Fukuoka sees rain by evening.
Carry a small umbrella if you are out in Fukuoka this evening, and enjoy the mild, sunny weather in Sapporo and Tokyo.
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued October 22, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
On this day, workers began building Japan's first public telegraph line, between Tokyo and Yokohama. A telegraph sent short messages over wires, using clicks instead of sound. The line was not finished until January 1870, but Japan still marks October 23 every year as Telegraph and Telephone Day.
Source: zatsuneta.com
In Japan's old calendar of 24 seasons, October 23 is Soko (frost descent). It marks the time when mornings turn cold enough for frost to form. In 2026, this same day is also Jusan'ya, a night for viewing the moon and eating chestnuts, second only to the famous mid-autumn moon night.
Source: harunohi.jp, 9rando.info
On this day, Apple showed the world its first iPod, a small music player that could hold about 1,000 songs. At the time, this was a huge amount of music to carry in one pocket. The iPod later changed how people around the world listened to music.
Source: Apple Newsroom
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
Overall This is your brightest day this week, so enjoy every good moment.
Money Good news about money reaches you earlier than you expect.
Love A warm compliment from someone close stays with you all day.
Lucky color Deep crimson
Lucky item A leather bookmark
Overall This is a bright day for you, so try something new with confidence.
Money A bit of good luck with money arrives when you least expect it.
Love Someone close pays you a warm, honest compliment today.
Lucky color Sunset orange
Lucky item A golden hair clip
Overall Careful planning today pays off with a result you are proud of.
Money A small, wise choice keeps your savings nice and steady.
Love A sincere talk brings you closer to someone you trust.
Lucky color Sage green
Lucky item A tidy pencil case
Overall A new idea excites you today, so write it down quickly.
Money A bright bit of luck comes your way with money today.
Love Family time brings a warm, happy feeling this evening.
Lucky color Seafoam teal
Lucky item A small seashell
Overall A small change to your morning routine brings a fresh, happy feeling today.
Money A coupon or sale helps you save a little money today.
Love A friend asks for your advice, and you give it warmly.
Lucky color Marigold yellow
Lucky item A small notebook
Overall A steady, calm day brings a small pleasant surprise by evening.
Money A fair price today makes a small purchase feel worthwhile.
Love A relaxed chat with a friend warms your heart tonight.
Lucky color Powder blue
Lucky item A small mirror
Overall An ordinary day goes smoothly if you keep your plans simple.
Money Small savings add up today if you pay close attention.
Love A short, friendly chat lifts your mood this afternoon.
Lucky color Warm brown
Lucky item A leather strap
Overall Today moves slowly, so enjoy a quiet task you can finish calmly.
Money Hold off on spending and check your wallet before you buy anything.
Love A short message from someone far away makes you smile.
Lucky color Olive green
Lucky item A soft scarf
Overall Today feels a little slow, so take small, easy steps forward.
Money Put a little aside today and enjoy something you already own.
Love A shy friend may open up if you listen closely today.
Lucky color Dusty teal
Lucky item A glass bead
Overall Today feels ordinary, but a kind word from a friend lifts your mood.
Money Wait for a calmer day before you spend on anything new.
Love A gentle chat with family brings comfort tonight.
Lucky color Seashell white
Lucky item A smooth stone
Overall Things feel a little slow today, so rest and save your energy.
Money Keep your coins safe today and avoid any big decisions.
Love A quiet evening at home suits you better than going out.
Lucky color Pale gray
Lucky item A warm mug
Overall Today eases by slowly, so relax and dream a little.
Money Save your coins today and enjoy something you already own.
Love A gentle song or story brings comfort to your evening.
Lucky color Ice blue
Lucky item A small compass
We use the past continuous to talk about an action that was already happening at a certain time in the past.
B. After was/were, the verb needs -ing: "was watching," not "was watch."
Answer: B. After was/were, the verb needs -ing: "was watching," not "was watch."
After dinner, Linda set a small lantern on the kitchen table, and Lyn brought out a clean sheet of writing paper.
"Where do we start?" Lyn asked, pen hovering above the page.
"Start with thank you," Linda said. "Then tell him the second Friday of November is perfect."
Lyn wrote slowly, reading each line out loud as she went. "Dear John, thank you for your letter. The second Friday of November is a wonderful day for us."
Star lay under the table, her chin resting on Lyn's slipper, while Pinkysan watched from the windowsill, tail curled neatly around her paws.
"Should we tell him about the maple trees?" Lyn asked.
"Tell him we will plan a walk if the leaves are red by then," Linda said, stirring a cup of tea. "No promises, just hope."
Lyn wrote that too, then paused with her pen in the air. "What about food? Should I mention the chestnut cake?"
"Not yet," Linda said, smiling. "Let that be a surprise."
Outside, the wind moved softly through the persimmon tree, and a few last leaves tapped against the window like gentle knocking.
Pinkysan jumped down and sniffed at the corner of the letter, then sat beside it as if guarding the words.
"One more thing," Linda said. "Ask him if he wants anything special from Nara. A small gift of our own."
Lyn smiled and wrote the question at the very bottom, under her own name.
When the letter was finished, Linda folded it with careful hands and slid it into a fresh envelope.
"Tomorrow, the post office," she said. "And after that, the real planning begins."
Star thumped her tail once against the floor, as if she understood every word, and Lyn laughed softly into the quiet evening.
Before bed, Lyn set the envelope by the door, ready for morning, and Star gave it one last curious sniff before curling up on her bed.
"Goodnight, John," Linda whispered to the envelope, only half joking, and Lyn laughed as she turned off the kitchen light.
(To be continued)