Fantasy Daily News

Scientists at Stanford University, in the United States, found a simple way to help sick coral reefs. When coral loses its bright color, people call it "bleached." Bleached coral is weak, and it can die.

In a new study, the scientists placed a healthy piece of coral next to a bleached piece from the same coral animal. After about five days of touching, the healthy coral began sharing its tiny helper algae, the living things that give coral its color and food.

Within seven weeks, every touching pair of corals recovered completely, the scientists reported. Pairs that were kept apart, even by just a few millimeters, did not survive.

The scientists hope this simple idea, giving sick coral a healthy neighbor to touch, could one day help save coral reefs harmed by warm ocean water. The study was published in the journal Science Advances in October 2026.

Monday morning came quietly. Birds sang outside the kitchen window, and the sun lit up the steam rising from Linda's tea.

"Lyn, look at this," Linda said, tapping the newspaper. "Today is Kaki Day."

Lyn tied back her hair for work. "Kaki Day? Like... persimmon day?"

"Mm-hm," Linda said. "It started because of a poet named Masaoka Shiki. Long ago, he came to Nara and wrote a poem about eating a persimmon and hearing a temple bell."

Star's ears perked up at the word "Nara," as if she understood every bit of it.

Lyn glanced at the shelf, where their last persimmon still sat, round and patient. "Ours isn't going anywhere today," she said. "It's saving itself for November."

"Good," Linda said, smiling into her tea. "Some things are worth the wait."

Pinkysan jumped onto the counter, sniffed the fruit bowl, and sat down beside it like a small, quiet guard.

"She takes her job seriously," Lyn said, laughing.

Linda poured more tea. "I was thinking. When John comes, maybe we could all walk through the park together, if the leaves are still red."

Lyn paused by the door, her bag on her shoulder. "A walk sounds nice. Should we ask him in the letter?"

"Let's put it in the next one," Linda said. "No promises. Just an idea."

"Just an idea," Lyn repeated, smiling, and stepped out into the cool morning air.

Star was already waiting by the gate, her tail moving in slow, happy circles. Lyn bent down and scratched behind her ears.

"Come on, girl. Walk me partway?"

Star barked once and trotted beside her down the quiet street. Fallen leaves crunched under their feet, and somewhere close by, a temple bell rang softly.

"Have a good day!" Linda called from the doorway, Pinkysan curled warm at her feet.

"I will," Lyn called back. "Save the rest of that poem for tonight. I want to hear it again."

At work, between guests, Lyn found herself humming, a small bell still ringing somewhere in the back of her mind.

That evening, over dinner, Linda recited Shiki's haiku slowly, word by word, and Lyn listened with her chin in her hands, already thinking about the next letter to John.

(To be continued)