The Winning Question

[Harpoetta]

The Winning 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.

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


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 se it because her friend was, well... blonde.

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. But her friend 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?"

"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.

"Jeni, 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."