Literature employs the word “stray” in multifaceted ways that enrich both narrative texture and thematic depth. It is commonly used as a verb to convey a deviation from an intended course, whether that be a physical wandering away from a safe path—as seen when characters risk venturing too far from home [1] or lose their sense of direction amid chaos [2]—or a mental drift from reason or truth [3]. Equally, “stray” functions as a noun, evoking images of things or beings out of place such as an ungoverned animal [4] or a disruptive object that unsettles an otherwise ordered scene [5]. Its versatility is further highlighted when it underscores subtle departures, whether in the form of wandering thoughts or the ephemeral presence of a stray hair being deftly manipulated [6]. In sum, the term captures the essence of both literal and metaphorical dislocation, enriching the literary landscape with shades of unpredictability and freedom.