I have some new pets. Actually, they belong to the Fujimae Higata Activity Center, but this summer the center will be closed for three months for repairs. There are about 40 different kinds of fish and other creatures in the fish tanks. We can’t keep them at the center, so people have volunteered to take care of them. I am taking care of mudskippers. These are very interesting fish. They can use their front fins like legs to move or jump. They need water, but they don’t like to swim, so they spend most of the time out of the water. I am learning the differences between the three mudskippers that I have in my tank. I hope to give them names soon.   (123 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

Let me introduce a book I love. I recommend “I Can Explain.” It is called “Riyu ga arimasu” in Japanese. This is one of the most famous books in Japan. It has been translated into many languages, including English. It was written by Shinsuke Yoshitake. The mother of the main character often points out his bad habits, and he explains why he does them. The reasons are very funny, and you will be amazed by his rich imagination. I really love this book and often read it in my free time. I think many Japanese people have read it and love it, too. Other books by Shinsuke Yoshitake are also interesting, so please give them a try!  (117 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

(1) The girl in the book called “Anne of Green Gables” has red hair. In Japanese, this book is called “Anne with Red Hair.”(2) Eggplants get their name because some are white and round like eggs. These days, people usually eat a different kind of eggplant, but some people still grow white eggplants.(3) Children in English-speaking countries use yellow when they draw the sun.(4) The French flag is blue, white, and red, and the Italian flag is green, white, and red.(5) American dollars are green. They are called “greenbacks” because of their color.(6) We eat grapes when they are green. Bananas, oranges, and strawberries are not ripe when they are green.   (116 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

(1) “Anne of Green Gables” is a famous book about a girl growing up on Prince Edward Island in Canada. What color is her hair?(2) How did “eggplant” get its name in the U.S.? In Britain, it has a different name: aubergine.(3) When children draw a sun in English-speaking countries, what color do they use?(4) The French flag and the Italian flag both have three stripes. What is the difference between them?(5) Japanese money comes in different colors, but American dollars are all the same color. What color are they?(6) Which of these fruits are usually eaten green? (a) grapes, (b) bananas, (c) oranges, (d) strawberries.     (111 words) You can send me your answers at jaremaga@gmail.com 

Yesterday was World Red Head Day. People who have natural red hair get together and celebrate on this day. Why do they do this? Because there are not so many people with red hair in the world. Red heads come from northern Europe. Scotland and Ireland have the most redheads, but you can find people with red hair in many different countries now. Redheads often have fair skin and freckles. They need to be careful of the sun, or they will get sunburned. Have you ever heard of someone named Ginger? It is a nickname for a redhead, either a man or a woman. I know the name of one famous Ginger. Ginger Baker was a redheaded drummer in one of my favorite rock bands called Cream in the 1960s.  (130 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

Congratulations, Nakamura Daiki! You have won the May tournament, and you are now the champion of the sumo world. Most people don’t know you by your real name. They only know you by your sumo name, Onosato. I remember when you entered professional sumo two years ago. You joined a stable in Ibaraki Prefecture, and your stable boss was a Yokozuna, the former Kisenosato. In your first tournament, you couldn’t tie your hair because it was too short. Since then, your hair has gotten longer, and you have gotten much stronger. You became an Ozeki last year, and you won back-to-back tournaments this year. I think you will be a Yokozuna before the next Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya this July.   (121 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com