Good morning, citizens. Today: in several nations to our north the sun went out for two minutes, and people travelled enormous distances to stand in a field and watch it happen, and then they applauded. Abroad, travellers have begun visiting grocery stores on purpose and photographing the shelves. The Welcome Committee re-welcomed two homes on the eastward lanes — one had planted something. And then our Heartwarming Story of the Week: a girl of eleven asked the Department of Hearts for one breakfast with her mother, and the Department, which reads generously, gave her every breakfast for the rest of her life. Everything is already wonderful.

Verity is a satirical fiction podcast. Inspired by real headlines:

• Total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026  ...