There's the story of the 'Ghost Army' in World War II. This was a unit made up of artists, designers, and engineers. They created elaborate fake military installations and operations to deceive the enemy. They used inflatable tanks, sound effects of troops moving, and false radio transmissions. It was a very strange and innovative way to fight a war. Also, in some ancient wars, like the Battle of Marathon, a messenger ran about 26 miles to deliver the news of victory, which was quite an incredible and strange feat considering the distance and the conditions of war.
A strange war story comes from the Vietnam War. There were reports of some soldiers seeing strange lights in the sky that they couldn't explain. These lights seemed to move in unusual ways and sometimes even seemed to interfere with their equipment. Another oddity was the use of elephants in some wars in Southeast Asia in the past. Elephants were trained to carry soldiers and even charge into battle, which is a very different and strange form of warfare compared to modern times.
One strange war story is about a pigeon in World War II. A pigeon named Cher Ami managed to deliver an important message despite being severely injured. It had lost an eye and a leg but still made it back to its base, saving many soldiers. Another is the story of the Christmas Truce during World War I. Enemies on both sides put down their weapons and celebrated Christmas together, playing football and sharing food, which was really unexpected in the middle of a brutal war.
One strange story I heard was about a guy who thought he was chatting with a single woman but it turned out to be a group of her friends pranking him. They would take turns chatting and the guy didn't notice until they all revealed it during a video call.
One strange secret success story could be that of a small-town baker who started by baking in his home kitchen. He used unique, secret family recipes and word-of -mouth spread about his delicious treats. Without any big marketing campaigns, just by the power of his product's quality, he ended up supplying to big cafes and restaurants in the city. His success was strange in the sense that he didn't follow the typical route of advertising but relied on the authenticity of his product.
One strange business success story is about Crocs. Their shoes were initially seen as ugly and strange, but they became extremely popular. They were comfortable and practical for various activities like gardening or quick trips outside. Their bright colors and unique design, which was once a drawback in the eyes of some, ended up being a major selling point as they became a fashion trend, especially among kids and people who value comfort over traditional aesthetics.
The story of the pigeon Cher Ami in World War II is quite interesting. Here was a small pigeon that was given a very important task. It had to carry a message through enemy fire. Despite being shot at and losing an eye and a leg, it still managed to complete its mission. It's a story of the small and unexpected heroes in war. This pigeon's determination and ability to overcome such great obstacles is truly remarkable and makes it one of the most interesting strange war stories.
A strange romance novel is 'The Time Traveler's Wife'. The whole concept of a man who time - travels involuntarily and his relationship with his wife is really odd. Their relationship is constantly disrupted by his disappearances and reappearances at different times in their lives. Then there's 'Gone with the Wind'. Scarlett's love for Ashley, even though he doesn't really reciprocate in the way she wants, and her tumultuous relationship with Rhett Butler is a strange mix of love, lust, and pride. 'Lolita' is often considered strange as well, though it's a very controversial work due to the nature of the relationship, which is an older man's infatuation with a young girl.
Well, 'The King in Yellow' by Robert W. Chambers is extremely strange. It contains a play within the book that drives people mad. It has an otherworldly and dream - like quality. 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty is also a strange horror novel. The possession of a young girl by a demon and the battle between the priests and the evil entity is both shocking and strange. And 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is strange too. It was one of the early vampire stories and the relationship between the female characters, along with the slow - building horror, makes it a strange and captivating read.
Some strange fantasy novels include 'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer. The Area X it describes is filled with strange and mutated creatures, and the overall atmosphere is one of mystery and unease. 'The City & the City' by China Miéville is also strange. It has two cities that exist in the same physical space but are culturally and socially distinct, and the characters have to unsee the other city. And 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams is a strange and humorous fantasy. With its absurd concepts like the Babel fish and the infinite improbability drive, it takes readers on a wild and wacky journey through the galaxy.
Well, I know a story where a dog chased its own tail so vigorously that it ended up spinning in circles and getting dizzy. It then just plopped down right where it was, looking completely confused.
I know a story where a man painted his whole body like a zebra to enter a wildlife park for free. He got chased by a real zebra. Another one is a woman who wore two different shoes to work by accident and didn't notice until someone pointed it out and she thought it was a new style.
I once heard about a guy who was on a flight. Mid - flight, a parrot suddenly flew out from the cockpit. Apparently, one of the crew members was secretly keeping it there. It caused quite a stir on the plane, but luckily it didn't disrupt the flight too much and they managed to catch it and keep it safe until they landed.