Episode Overview
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Ripley's Believe It Or Not - 1 Minute Episodes: "Bono the Dwarf"
Aired: January 28, 2026
This brief episode, true to the Ripley's Believe It Or Not tradition, explores astonishing oddities from history. In just about a minute, listeners are exposed to tales blending bizarre human feats with haunting loyalty, highlighting how truth can be stranger than fiction.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Buono the French Dwarf (00:05)
- Buono's Unusual Stature & Appetite:
- Buono was a French dwarf measuring only 18 inches tall.
- Despite his diminutive size, at the age of 11, Buono showcased an extraordinary appetite:
- "he ate 40 large cucumbers, 30 figs and a whole watermelon for dessert each day." (A, 00:10)
- This incredible consumption is presented as a bizarre but factual incident.
Notable Quote:
"Buono was a French dwarf. He was only 18 inches tall. At the age of 11, however, he ate 40 large cucumbers, 30 figs and a whole watermelon for dessert each day. Believe it or not." (A, 00:06–00:19)
2. Stephanos – The Loyal Guard Even in Death (00:22)
- The Ultimate Act of Loyalty:
- Story shifts to Stephanos, a guard at the Monastery of St. Catherine on biblical Mount Sinai.
- Unusual Request: On his deathbed in the year 580, Stephanos pleaded to continue his guard duties even after his death.
- His Wish Fulfilled:
- "This unusual request was honored. And so, after his death, Stephanos was placed outside the house of the dead. There, his fully clothed skeleton still guards the entrance today..." (A, 00:33)
- Enduring Symbol:
- The skeleton of Stephanos now serves as a macabre reminder of enduring loyalty—his vigil continues centuries after death.
Notable Quote:
"There, his fully clothed skeleton still guards the entrance today, a macabre reminder of the loyalty of a man many years after his death. Believe it or not." (A, 00:38–00:48)
Memorable Moments
- Shock Value: The juxtaposition of Buono's enormous appetite with his tiny stature is both humorous and astounding, capturing the spirit of Ripley's.
- Macabre Imagery: The image of Stephanos's fully clothed skeleton still standing guard is both chilling and evocative, leaving a lasting impression of dedication beyond the grave.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:05: Introduction – "Truth is stranger than fiction..."
- 00:06–00:19: Story of Buono, the French dwarf with an extraordinary appetite.
- 00:22: Transition – Announcement of next story.
- 00:23–00:48: Story of Stephanos, the loyal guard whose skeleton still stands vigil.
- 00:48: Closing – “Believe it or not.”
Overall Tone & Language
The narration adopts a dramatic and factual style, hallmark of classic radio oddity shows. The host delivers astonishing and macabre details with a sense of wonder and a hint of theatricality, inviting listeners to question the boundaries between myth and reality.
Summary
In less than a minute, this episode of Ripley's Believe It Or Not immerses listeners in two strange-but-true tales: the insatiable appetite of an 18-inch-tall French dwarf and the unwavering loyalty of a skeleton-guard on Mount Sinai. Presented with gripping detail and vivid imagery, these snippets serve as a testament to the wild, unexpected truths lingering in the annals of history. Believe it or not.
