LOCH NESS MONSTER

In 1933, the Loch Ness monster was first photographed. As Hugh Gray was walking by the shores of the Loch, near Inverness in Scotland, the calm water erupted and a huge body appeared in a cloud of spray. Mr. Gray hastily snapped five photographs, but when they were developed four were blank. The remaining one shows “an object of considerable dimensions.” Technicians confirmed that the shot was genuine, but zoologists dismissed the beast as a whale or a dolphin. It was christened Nessie, and despite the skepticism, 20,000 pounds was offered for its capture. But showing admirable concern for wildlife, the local chief constable issued an order banning monster molesting!

─ from Today’s The Day by Jeremy Beadle (Signet)