'Prophet' survives lion attack and other tall tales

Our pick of the strange but true stories from around the world.

"Prophet" almost killed after challenging lions

A self-proclaimed prophet of the Zion Christian Church in Africa has narrowly escaped with his life after he leapt out of a vehicle during a safari drive in the Kruger National Park and charged towards a pride of lions. Alec Ndiwane's fellow church members told authorities that he "went into a trance and started speaking in tongues" before running at the animals and allegedly challenging them to fight. Ndiwane was mauled and suffered serious injuries to his buttocks.

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Fire hydrant clogged with fish

Canadian firefighters responding to a grass fire in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley were surprised to find a nearby hydrant wasn't working because it was completely clogged with fish. "We had a hard time getting any suction from the dry hydrant," said fire chief Shawn Carey. "When we took it apart, we found a bunch of fish that came up through the strainer." Some of the fish survived the ordeal and were placed in a nearby pond.

"Pro-gun" mother shot by four-year-old son

Florida-based gun-rights advocate Jamie Gilt has been shot by her four-year-old son, hours after she said on Facebook that he was "jacked up to target shoot". Police say 31-year-old Gilt was driving the family SUV when she was shot in the back with a .45-calibre handgun her son found on the floor of the vehicle. She is expected to make a full recovery and will be questioned by police over her storage and handling of firearms.