Million dollar Question
A contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" had reached the
final plateau. If she answered the next question correctly, she
would win $1,000,000. If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket
only the 32,000 milestone money. And as she suspected it would be,
the million-dollar question was no pushover. It was, "Which of the
following species of birds does not build its own nest, but instead
lays its eggs in the nests of other birds? Is it A) the condor; B)
the buzzard; C) the cuckoo; or D) the vulture?"
The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. And she was
doubly on the spot because she had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and
her Audience Poll Lifeline. All that remained was her
Phone-a-Friend! Lifeline. The woman hoped she would not have to use
it because ... her friend was, well .. blond. She had no
alternative. She called her friend and gave her the question and
the four choices. The blonde responded unhesitatingly: "That's
easy. The answer is C: The cuckoo."
The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast. She
considered employing a reverse strategy and giving Regis any answer
except the one that her friend had given her. And considering that
her friend was a blonde, that would seem to be the logical thing to
do. On the other hand - the blonde had responded with such
confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help but
be persuaded.
I need an answer," said Regis.
Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The cuckoo."
"Is that your final answer?" asked Regis. "Yes, that is my final
answer."
Two minutes later, Regis said, "That answer is ... absolutely
correct! You are now a millionaire!"
Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and
friends including the blonde who had helped her win the million
dollars. "Jenny, I just do not know how to thank you! ," said the
contestant. "How did you happen to know the right answer?"
"Oh, come on," said the blonde. "Everybody knows that cuckoos don't
build nests. They live in clocks
