What's happening?

The police in NebraskaA state in the midwestern USA with a population of nearly 2 million. , USA, received a strange phone call. The caller told them there was a car driving through the city of Norfolk with a cow in the passenger seat.

When the police found the car, they were greeted by a huge African bullA male cattle. called Howdy Doody. It was sticking right out of the car.

A video of Howdy Doody has made people laugh all around the world. But it also made some people a bit sad - and even jealousWhen you want something that someone else has and feel resentful. - too.

Britain, say some, was once known for coming up with the idea that everyone should be allowed to do whatever they like as long as it does not harmHurt or damage. anyone else.

Strange or unusualVery uncommon. people, some thinkers said, made life better and more interesting.

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Now, unusual stories are common in America. One reporter said that Howdy Doody's car journey is an example of "what makes America great". (Although the police did send him home).

But in Britain, some complainSay that you do not like something. , unusual people are dying out. Once upon a time we had people like the fifth Duke of Portland, who built an entire house underground. Now, such people are hard to find.

So what happened?

Some believe the answer is politics. Today, many find it hard to pay to live and eat, and so people do not have the time or energy to be silly.

Others think the answer is culture. We all watch the same TV shows and listen to the same music. Some think it makes everyone the same too.

Yes! Wacky people make the world a much more fun place. This is good for everyone. Life is boring when we are all the same.

No! Being wacky often means being annoying and getting in the way of others. We should take life seriously.