One quiet afternoon, small winter birds began landing on the same wide branch of Old Elm, one after another, until a little crowd had gathered.
Fig the young owl sat on a lower branch of Old Elm and watched. First one small bird landed. Then two more came. Soon, five or six little birds sat close together on the same branch, chirping happily.
"Why do they all choose the very same branch?" Fig asked Master Owl. "There is so much room on this tree." Owl smiled and looked up at the busy branch above them.
"They like the same things," Owl said. "They enjoy singing in the morning, and they feel safe together in winter. People have a saying for this: birds of a feather flock together."
"What does that mean?" Fig asked. "It means animals, or people, who are alike often choose to spend time together," Owl explained. "Friends who share the same interests find each other."
Fig watched the small birds start to practice their morning song, all at once, in a cheerful jumble of notes. He hopped a little closer to listen, and found he liked the song too.
This story is fiction.
North Atlantic right whales are one of the rarest whales in the world. Only about 380 of them are left in the ocean today. Each winter, some whale mothers swim to warm water near the southeastern United States to have their babies.
This year, scientists counted 24 new baby whales, called calves. That is the highest number in one season since 2009, when 39 calves were born. In many recent years, far fewer calves were born.
One calf was a complete surprise. Scientists did not know that a whale named Silt was going to have a baby, until they spotted her with the calf near Canada. Silt is more than 38 years old and has had six calves in her life.
Scientists say the extra calves this year are a hopeful sign. They hope right whales will keep having healthy babies in the years ahead.
Source: The Current (Georgia nonprofit news), NOAA Fisheries
Rain moves across Japan today, turning skies wet almost everywhere except for parts of Sapporo.
Bring an umbrella wherever you go today, and wear something warm if you are in Sapporo.
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued November 14, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Every November 15, families across Japan celebrate Shichi-Go-San, a day for children who are three, five, or seven years old. Children wear kimono and visit a shrine with their family to pray for health and a long life. Many children also receive long, thin candy sticks called chitose-ame, whose name means "thousand-year candy."
Source: Nippon.com
On this day in 1966, NASA's Gemini 12 spacecraft landed safely in the Atlantic Ocean. Astronauts James Lovell and Buzz Aldrin had spent four days in space. Their safe return ended the Gemini program and helped NASA get ready for the Moon landings that came a few years later.
Source: NASA
On this day in 1806, explorer Zebulon Pike was crossing the American plains when he saw a tall, snow-capped mountain far in the distance. The mountain later got his name, Pikes Peak. Pike tried to climb it that winter, but he did not reach the top.
Source: OUP Blog
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
Overall This is a lucky day, especially for anything you do at home.
Money A small surprise may bring you good news about money.
Love Family time will feel especially happy and comfortable today.
Lucky color Silver
Lucky item A warm cup of tea
Overall Good things come to you today if you stay patient and kind.
Money A small treat for yourself is perfectly fine today.
Love Someone close to you notices how thoughtful you have been.
Lucky color Green
Lucky item A cozy blanket
Overall A small act of kindness returns to you later today.
Money Sharing something small with a friend brings you joy today.
Love An old friend may reach out with happy news.
Lucky color Dark red
Lucky item A favorite book
Overall Your careful planning pays off nicely today.
Money Saving a little today will feel satisfying later this week.
Love Someone appreciates your honesty more than you may realize.
Lucky color Brown
Lucky item A small notebook
Overall Steady effort today brings a small, pleasant reward.
Money A careful plan for your allowance works out well today.
Love Family time feels warmer than usual this evening.
Lucky color Gray
Lucky item A warm cup of cocoa
Overall A calm day helps you think clearly about a small problem.
Money Keep your money plans simple and do not rush to spend.
Love A quiet chat with a close friend feels extra warm today.
Lucky color Red
Lucky item A warm scarf
Overall A new idea today could grow into something fun this week.
Money A friend's advice about saving may be worth hearing.
Love Being open about your feelings helps someone understand you.
Lucky color Light blue
Lucky item A small notebook
Overall Slow down a little today and finish one task at a time.
Money Think twice before spending on something you do not need.
Love A gentle word to a friend will mean a lot today.
Lucky color Gold
Lucky item A bright umbrella
Overall Plans may change today, so try to go with the flow.
Money Hold off on buying anything big until later this week.
Love Listening more than talking helps a friendship today.
Lucky color Yellow
Lucky item An umbrella
Overall Daydreaming is fine today, but try to finish one real task.
Money Keep your money plans simple and easy to remember.
Love A kind message to someone far away means a lot.
Lucky color Sea blue
Lucky item A small umbrella
Overall Rainy-day plans may change, so keep a backup idea ready.
Money Avoid lending money to friends today, just to be safe.
Love Quiet time alone will help you feel more balanced.
Lucky color Pink
Lucky item A warm pair of socks
Overall Today feels a bit slow, but tomorrow will be easier.
Money Keep your coins and bills in one safe place today.
Love Be patient with family; warmer moments are coming soon.
Lucky color Purple
Lucky item A soft hat
Let's invites another person to do something together with you, like a friendly idea you share.
"Let's go to the library." — Let's is always followed by the base verb, with no -s and no -ing.
Answer: "Let's go to the library." — Let's is always followed by the base verb, with no -s and no -ing.
Sunday morning came softly, with pale light through the curtains. Lyn woke up first and looked outside. The sky was clear and blue.
"Good morning," Linda said, coming out of her room. "It looks like a perfect day for a walk."
Star was already waiting by the door, her tail wagging fast. Pinkysan stretched on the windowsill and yawned, clearly planning to stay home.
After a light breakfast, Lyn, Linda, John, and Star set out together toward Nara Park. The morning air was cool, and the maple leaves along the street had turned bright red and orange.
"It's even prettier than I imagined," John said, looking up at the colorful trees.
They walked past old stone lanterns near the park gate. Star walked close beside them, just as she had practiced, keeping a steady pace.
Soon, a group of deer came toward them, moving slowly and calmly. One deer lowered its head in a small, polite bow.
"Did it just bow to me?" John asked, surprised.
"Some deer here do that," Lyn said, laughing. "People say it started because visitors used to bow before giving them rice crackers. Now some deer just do it out of habit."
Linda held out a small rice cracker, and the deer gently took it from her hand. Star watched closely but stayed sitting, just like she was taught.
They walked on through the park, past a quiet pond covered with floating leaves. Near a bench, they stopped to rest and shared a few rice balls Linda had packed.
"This is a wonderful place," John said. "Thank you for bringing me here."
"We're glad you finally made it," Linda said warmly. "Autumn in Nara is always special."
On the way home, Star found a bright red leaf and carried it the whole way, proud of her small treasure. John laughed every time she looked back to make sure they were still following.
When they reached the house, Pinkysan was waiting by the door, as if she had missed them more than she wanted to admit.
That evening, they sat together on the porch, tired and happy, talking about what to do the next day.
"Maybe the old market street," Linda suggested. "John hasn't seen it yet."
"That sounds perfect," John said, smiling.
Star curled up at their feet, and Pinkysan, after careful thought, decided to join them too. (To be continued)