My favourite story! I STILL torture my mum with this.
I grew up in Adelaide, it's the sex-crime capital of Australia, possibly the universe, with more unsolved murders against kids, particularly young boys, than you can poke a stick at*.
One of the first things parents teach their kids is BE CAREFUL, AVOID STRANGERS.
Anyway, Adelaide is also bloody hot in summer and they have a rule that if the temperaure goes over 100 degrees fahrenheit (37C) kids get let out of school and sent home, presumably to go to the beach or eat ice cream.
So one day I'm in primary school, about 8 years old and the temp goes up, the bell goes off and the tannoy crackles to life: "OK brats, go home". Everyone packs up and files out, mums and dads collect their kids, busses fill up and everyone goes home.
Except me. I'm left standing on the footpath by myself in the sweltering heat.
Eventually a car pulls up and a voice says: "Hey little boy has someone forgotten YOU?" *sob* yes. "Come on then, get in my car and I'll give you a lift home... here, have a lolly..." *sob* OK.
So ignoring everything I've been told all my short life, I climb in the stranger's car. And got a lift home.
Mum, it should be pointed out was sitting in the pool with her mates, enjoying a nice glass of wine when this total stranger walked through the back gate holding my hand.
To say she was horrified, embarrassed and so bloody thankful is an understatement. I spent the next decade being told what a lucky day that was.

*This is not hyperbole, Google "Adelaide City Of Corpses" and take a look at the facts.
( difficultchild, Tue 24 Aug 2010, 3:14, 6 replies)

To be fair
Adelaide is still a nice place to visit, but it does give me the creepies at times. It was even mentioned in the tv show 'Dexter' for being murder capital.
(boozehound is drinking your bar dry, Tue 24 Aug 2010, 6:17, closed)

Isn't your current Prime Minister
from Adelaide? Did things suddenly go quiet when she left for Canberra? She is rather fond of knives.
(Que?, Tue 24 Aug 2010, 7:12, closed)

The bastards
Rumour had it we were allowed to go home if the temp got to 40C, but they'd always insist it was only 39.9C. I always thought it was all lies and they wouldn't let us go home no matter how hot it got, so I'm actually slightly surprised to hear a story involving it actually happening.
(xanthine, Tue 24 Aug 2010, 11:10, closed)

we too
had this rumour of "40 degrees and off you go home" - we sadly never got to do so despite our constant 8 yr old whining.
(pineappleunderthesea mortal enemy of the apple since, Tue 24 Aug 2010, 17:34, closed)

We too had this rule.
Unfortunately, the headmaster went by the thermometer in his office, which was also the only room in the school with air conditioning.
( argyleblanket The man on the roof works for me, Wed 25 Aug 2010, 11:45, closed)

Could he have been
just practicing?
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Tue 24 Aug 2010, 12:30, closed)