Juniper the squirrel climbed far out onto a thin branch to reach the reddest apple in the whole orchard.
At the edge of Enchanted Forest, autumn apples hung heavy on the old orchard trees. Juniper, a young red squirrel, spotted one perfect apple at the very tip of a thin, swaying branch. Every apple closer to the trunk was already picked.
"I can reach it," Juniper said, and crept out along the branch. It bent lower with every step, creaking softly under her paws. Below, Ash the raccoon looked up and called, "Careful! That branch is awfully thin!"
Pip the hedgehog and Olive the badger ran for a soft patchwork blanket. Hazel the rabbit grabbed the other end, and the three friends stretched it open under the tree, just in case. A little blue bird fluttered close, chirping to cheer Juniper on.
Juniper stretched her paws as far as they would go. With one last reach, she plucked the apple free, and the branch sprang back up behind her. She scampered safely down to the trunk, holding her prize tight.
"You really went out on a limb for that apple," Owl said, landing on a nearby branch. "That means taking a small risk to get something you want." Juniper grinned and broke the apple into pieces to share with everyone who had helped her.
This story is fiction.
In Maryville, Tennessee, a young woman named Brooklyn watched a movie with her grandparents at a theater. Afterward, she saw an 85-year-old worker quietly cleaning the room. The worker's name was Mary Ellen.
Brooklyn filmed a short video of Mary Ellen's hard work and shared it online. People learned that Mary Ellen had worked in movie theaters for 45 years and was known for being very kind to others. The video quickly reached millions of viewers.
Brooklyn then started an online fundraiser to help Mary Ellen retire. More than 7,500 people gave money. In total, strangers raised over $146,000 for her. Mary Ellen said she felt very thankful for so much kindness.
Source: Washington Times
It turns much cooler in Sapporo today, while Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka enjoy mild, mostly sunny weather.
Wear a warm coat if you are in Sapporo today, and keep a light jacket handy in the other three cities for the cool evening.
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued October 27, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
On this day in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated in New York Harbor. The statue was a gift from France, designed by sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. President Grover Cleveland spoke at the ceremony as crowds cheered. Today marks the statue's 140th anniversary.
Source: Mystic Stamp Company
On this day in 1636, lawmakers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony voted to start a new college in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It later became Harvard, now the oldest university in the United States. The first classes began a few years afterward, with just a handful of students.
Source: World Book
On this day in 1882, a Japanese teacher named Tagusari Koki announced the country's first method for writing shorthand. Shorthand uses quick marks instead of full letters, so a writer can keep up with fast speech. Japan still remembers this day every year as Sokki Kinenbi, or Shorthand Day.
Source: calend.jp
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
Overall Today is your lucky day, so share your bright ideas freely.
Money Good news about money could arrive this afternoon.
Love Your warmth draws friends close to you today.
Lucky color Golden yellow
Lucky item a shiny coin
Overall Good luck follows you closely today, so try something new.
Money An unexpected bit of money brings a pleasant surprise today.
Love Kind words from a friend warm your heart today.
Lucky color Sage green
Lucky item a wooden comb
Overall An exciting idea today could turn into a fun new plan.
Money A small, careful risk today may bring a nice reward.
Love An old friend's message brings a happy, warm smile.
Lucky color Turquoise
Lucky item a small compass
Overall A clear plan today helps you reach a small, happy goal.
Money Save a little today for something special later on.
Love Family time tonight feels warm and comforting to you.
Lucky color Ivory
Lucky item a soft pillow
Overall Balance returns to your day if you rest when you feel tired.
Money A fair trade or deal works out nicely today.
Love A gentle smile says more than many words today.
Lucky color Blush pink
Lucky item a small mirror
Overall A busy day keeps you moving, but you finish everything with a smile.
Money Spend only on the things you truly need today, not more.
Love A small gift today surprises someone you care about deeply.
Lucky color Coral
Lucky item a striped scarf
Overall A new idea today could grow into something exciting later.
Money Think carefully before spending on something new today.
Love A surprising message from a friend brings a smile.
Lucky color Sky blue
Lucky item a blue marble
Overall Steady effort today brings a small, satisfying reward by evening.
Money Keep your spending simple and well planned today.
Love Honest words today strengthen a close, trusted friendship.
Lucky color Olive green
Lucky item a tidy pencil box
Overall Slow and steady work today brings quiet satisfaction by night.
Money Save a little today; it helps you later this week.
Love Patience with family tonight brings a calm, happy feeling.
Lucky color Slate blue
Lucky item a warm hat
Overall A calm, quiet day helps you think a few things through.
Money Wait before buying something you do not really need.
Love Listening closely to a friend brings you closer today.
Lucky color Seafoam green
Lucky item a glass bottle
Overall Today moves a little slowly, so take breaks and be patient.
Money Avoid big purchases today; wait until tomorrow instead.
Love A quiet talk means more than a long chat today.
Lucky color Charcoal gray
Lucky item a pencil case
Overall Today feels a little slow, so be gentle and patient with yourself.
Money Keep your money plans simple and easy to follow.
Love A caring moment with family warms your heart today.
Lucky color Deep plum
Lucky item a warm blanket
Question words like who, what, and where help us ask for the information we want to know.
Where
Answer: Where
Wednesday morning came cool and bright, with a thin mist still resting over the garden.
Lyn wound a soft scarf around her neck and picked up the envelope from the hall table, the one she and Linda had written the night before.
"Ready, Star?" she asked, and the little shiba inu spun once in a happy circle by the door.
They walked together down the lane, past the persimmon tree, its branches almost bare now except for a few orange fruits still holding on.
At the corner stood the red postbox, its paint a little faded from many autumns. Lyn held the envelope for a moment, looking at John's name written in Linda's neat hand.
"Off you go," she whispered, and slipped it through the slot. It landed with a soft, satisfying thud.
Star gave one short, proud bark, as if she had delivered the letter herself.
"Good morning, Lyn!" called a voice. It was Mrs. Oda from two houses down, kneeling by her garden gate with a watering can. Her chrysanthemums glowed yellow and white in the morning light.
"Good morning!" Lyn answered. "Your flowers look lovely."
"Thank you. It's getting chilly, isn't it? Winter is on its way." Mrs. Oda smiled at Star, who wagged her tail politely.
"It is," Lyn said. "We just sent a letter to a friend. He might visit in November."
"How nice," said Mrs. Oda. "Autumn visitors are always welcome."
Lyn said goodbye and walked on toward the hotel, Star trotting beside her until the turn for home. The whole way, Lyn found herself imagining John reading the letter, picturing Nara Park and the bowing deer.
At the hotel, the morning passed quietly. Between guests, Lyn caught herself smiling at nothing in particular.
That evening, she found Linda in the kitchen, stirring a pot of soup. "Well?" Linda asked, without turning around. "Did it go out?"
"It's on its way," Lyn said. "I watched it drop right into the box."
Linda let out a satisfied little laugh. "Then all we can do now is wait."
Star curled up by the stove, content, and Pinkysan appeared from nowhere to sit on the warm windowsill, her tail wrapped neatly around her paws.
Outside, the last light faded slowly behind the hills, and the house filled with the smell of soup and the quiet hope of a letter on its way.
(To be continued)