10-24-2024 - On This Day in Insane History

On October 24, 1702, a most peculiar event occurred in the village of Little Snoring in England.

It was a mild autumn morning when Mathilda Ogdensworth spotted something most peculiar happening to her prized pig, Hammish. Where normally Hammish would be snuffling about in the yard, this day he had taken to strutting about on his hind legs like a man. "Well I never!" exclaimed Mathilda. But more was afoot, for Hammish began dancing a jig and singing a bawdy tavern song, much to the shock of Mathilda and her neighbor Esmerelda who happened to be passing by.

Word spread quickly throughout Little Snoring of the dancing and singing pig. The parish vicar was summoned and, not one to pass up such an opportunity, declared the pig possessed by demons. An exorcism was promptly performed but rather than ridding poor Hammish of his devilry, it only encouraged the pig to recite passages from the Bible, much to the vicar's chagrin.

By now a sizable crowd had gathered to see the phenomenon for themselves. That's when Hammish sprouted wings and took to the skies, oinking melodies as he flew over the village. The people of Little Snoring watched open-mouthed as their pig angel flew in circles above, wondering if they had all gone mad. As quickly as it started, it ended, when Hammish inexplicably lost height and crashed heavily back to earth, leaving the villagers puzzled but unharmed. Apart from a few ruffled feathers, Hammish seemed no worse for wear and went back to his usual piggy business. To this day, the villagers speak in hushed tones about the day their pig took flight.