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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, 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 h er Phone-a-Friend
Lifeline, and the woman had hoped against hope that
she would not have to use it, mainly because the only
friend that she knew would be home happened to be a
blonde.
But the contestant 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 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 the host.
Crossing her fingers, the contestan t said, "C: The
Cuckoo."
"Is that your final answer?" asked the host.
"Yes, that is my final answer." replied the
contestant.
Moments later the host 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.
"Because of your knowing the answer to that final
question, I am now a millionaire. And do you want to
know something? It was the assuredness with which you
answered the question that convinced me to go with
your choice. By the way, 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."
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