The story of the phantom hitchhiker is quite terrifying. A driver picks up a hitchhiker on a lonely road, only to find that the hitchhiker disappears mysteriously when they reach a certain point. It gives a feeling of unease and the unknown.
It's a mixed bag. There are stories that are likely inspired by real - life encounters. For instance, stories about haunted houses where families have reported strange noises and apparitions. These could be real experiences that were then shared with Ripley's. But at the same time, Ripley's is also about the extraordinary and the unbelievable, so some stories may be more of a creative blend of local legends and spooky ideas to make for a good read or a thrilling tale, rather than strictly factual accounts.
There might be a story of a ghostly apparition seen in an old cemetery. A person was passing by late at night and saw a figure in white floating among the tombstones. It was so unexpected that it sent chills down their spine. This kind of story makes one wonder about the existence of the afterlife.
One interesting story could be about the haunted mansion. Supposedly, people have seen apparitions of former owners roaming the halls at night. It gives a spooky feeling as if the past is still lingering in that place.
I'm not entirely sure which specific 'ripley believe it or not true war stories' you're referring to. Ripley's is known for collecting all kinds of strange and amazing stories. In war, there are so many unbelievable things that could be included. Maybe it has stories of soldiers doing heroic and unexpected deeds, or strange events that happened during battles.
We can learn about the resilience of the human spirit. In war, people face extreme hardships, and these stories can show us how soldiers and civilians alike find the strength to endure.
There are stories about people with extraordinary physical abilities, like the man who could bend his body in impossible ways. It's truly mind - boggling.
It's a bit of both. Some of the stories in Ripley's Believe It or Not are based on real facts, but they might be presented in an exaggerated way for entertainment. So, it's not entirely 100% fact, nor is it completely fiction.
I'm not sure specifically which 'first story' you are referring to as there are many amazing tales in Ripley's Believe It or Not. It could be about some extraordinary human ability, a strange animal fact, or a very unusual event from history.